Surname Reed - Meaning and Origin

Unravelling the Reed Surname: A Personal Journey through iGENEA DNA Test Results

Delving into our roots can change the way we perceive our identity. This is especially true if you happen to undergo an iGENEA DNA test, which can take you places and times you never imagined. Breaking down my DNA, widened my understanding of my surname 'Reed', shook up my family identity and rearranged my outlook comprehensively.

P. Reed

Reed: What does the surname Reed mean?

The surname Reed is of English origins and was originally used in two primary senses. First, it was a topographical name given to someone who lived in a clearing or near a reed bed, derived from the Old English word "ried, ryd," that translates to "reeds." Second, it was an occupational name for someone who worked as a thatcher, sourcing reeds for roof thatching, derived from the Old English word "hreod" meaning "reeds" or "rushes." This surname is also associated with red, as in the Old English “read,” potentially indicating a person with red hair or a ruddy complexion. The surname Reed, like many others, has several different spellings, including Reid, Read, and Reade.

Reed: Where does the name Reed come from?

The last name Reed is a common surname throughout the United States and the rest of the English-speaking world. According to the 2019 U.S. census, Reed was ranked as the 111th most common surname, making it one of the most frequent surnames in America. In fact, there is at least one Reed in all of the 50 states and the District of Columbia.

Surname origins can offer an interesting glimpse into a family's history, and the surname Reed is thought to be derived from either Old English or Old French. It is believed by some to be derived from the Old English word "read," meaning "red," but it is more likely from an Old French word "rez," meaning "brushwood" or "clearing." The surname developed from the old French "Reid" and is thought to have been brought to the British Isles by Norman settlers in the 11th century.

Today, Reed is quite a widespread surname, with large numbers of Reed families in England, Scotland, Wales, Ireland, America, Canada, Australia, South Africa, and New Zealand. In the United States, the Northeast is home to the highest concentration of Reeds, specifically in Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and northeast Delaware. Nevertheless, many Reeds have relocated to other parts of the U.S. and throughout the world, so the surname can be found wherever English is spoken.

Variations of the surname Reed

The surname Reed is derived from the Old English word "read" which means a "reddish color" or "red hair". It is a common Anglo-Saxon name.

Variants

The variant spellings of Reed include Reid, Reade, Ried, Rede, Reyd, Redd, Reade and Reith, as well as Reynard and Readman.

Surnames

Surnames derived from the Reed surname include Read, Reede, Reeds, Reade, Red, Reding, Reedman, Redman, Rees, Reeth, Riedy, Riddy and Reidy.

Other surnames with similar meanings to Reed include Readman, Reader, Rhead, Redhead and Redshaw.

Reed is a fairly common surname and there are multiple different spellings and surnames of similar origin. It is likely that someone bearing the Reed surname will have a coat of arms that is linked to the Reed family.

Famous people with the name Reed

• Mandy Reed: American actress best known for her roles in emotional dramas such as The Dogwood Tree and See This Movie.
• Lou Reed: American singer-songwriter, musician, and artist, best known for his solo career and for his work with the Velvet Underground.
• Kevin Reed: American actor and producer, who starred in the hit TV series Smallville.
• Isabella Reed: British singer and songwriter, best known for her single “Automatic”.
• Elizabeth Reed: American actress, best known for her roles in films such as Miracle Mile and State of Grace.
• Alexander Reed: American singer-songwriter and musician, associated with folk and alternative country genres.
• Philip Reed: American actor, best known for his role as the leader of the National Geographic team in the television show The X-Files.
• John Reed: American journalist and revolutionary, best known for his book Ten Days That Shook the World.
• Eric Reed: American jazz pianist and composer, associated with the swing and post-bop genres.
• Joey Reed: American actor and singer, most prominently as a cast member of Heathers: The Musical.

Other surnames

ReebReebeenReebehnReebenstockReeberReebmannReebschlägerReeceReeckReeckeReeckersReeckmannReedarReedeReederReedisReedsReedyReefschlägerReeganReehReekReekeReekenReekerReekersReemerReemsReemtsReemtsema