Show ContentsReed History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Reed Family Crest Download (JPG) Heritage Series - 600 DPI

Family Crest Download (JPG) Heritage Series - 600 DPI

Etymology of Reed

What does the name Reed mean?

The Reed surname is derived from the Old English word "read," meaning "red." It is most likely that the name was used as nickname for someone with red hair, before becoming their surname. 1 2

In other instances, the Reed surname no doubt came from some of the places so named in Britain, such as Read, Lancashire, Rede, Suffolk, and Reed in Hertfordshire. 3 4

Early Origins of the Reed family

The surname Reed was first found in Northumberland where they held a family seat from early times. One branch was found at Troughend-Ward. "The present house was built in the last century (c. 1700) by EIrington Reed, Esq., who also greatly improved the place by planting, and whose ancestors were settled in the township at a remote date. " 5

Another branch of the family was found at Weston in Suffolk. "Weston Hall, the ancient seat of the family of Rede, a handsome mansion in the Elizabethan style, was partly taken down within a few years, and the remainder converted into a farmhouse." 5

The first record of the family dates back to Saxon times when Leofwine se Reade was listed as an Old English Byname (1016-1020.) Years later, William Red was found in the Pipe Rolls for Gloucestershire in 1176 and William le Red was listed in the Subsidy Rolls for Sussex in 1332. In Lancashire, the first record there was that of Hugo le Rede in the Curia Regis Rolls for 1220 and later in Sussex we found Hamo le Reed in the Subsidy Rolls for 1296. Later in Sussex, Thomas Read was listed in the Subsidy Rolls for 1327. In Hertfordshire, the Curia Regis Rolls include an entry for Ralph de Rede in 1203 and in Suffolk, John de Rede was listed in the Subsidy Rolls of 1327. 6

The Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 had two entries for the family: Godwin le Rede, Norfolk; and Roger le Rede, Herefordshire. 7 The source Testa de Nevill, sive Liber Feodorum, temp. Henry III-Edward I. included an entry for Robert le Rede, Surrey, Henry III-Edward I. 8

In Somerset, William Red and Robertte Rede were listed 1 Edward III (in the first year of the reign of King Edward III.) 9

Early History of the Reed family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Reed research. Another 116 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1385, 1394, 1396, 1397, 1415, 1416, 1502, 1511, 1519, 1541, 1551, 1579, 1587, 1588, 1593, 1600, 1606, 1609, 1617, 1619, 1620, 1624, 1626, 1644, 1669, 1683, 1687, 1692, 1694, 1705, 1715, 1721, 1745, 1758, 1795, 1866, 1868 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Reed History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Reed Spelling Variations

The name, Reed, occurred in many references, and from time to time, it was spelt Read, Reid, Reed, Reede, Redd, Reade and others.

Early Notables of the Reed family

  • William Rede or Reade (died 1385), Bishop of Chichester, a native of the diocese of Exeter; Robert Reed (died 1415), Bishop of Waterford and Lismore, Bishop of Carlisle and Bishop of Chichester; Sir J...
  • Wilmot Redd (Read, Reed) (died September 22, 1692), was one of the victims of the Salem witch trials of 1692; and George Read of Delaware was one of the signers of the American Declaration of Independ...
  • Sir Robert Rede (died 1519), was Chief justice of the common pleas, son of William and Joan Rede. John de Reede (1593-1683), Baron Reede was son of Gerard van Reede, a Dutchman. He became a canon or d...

Reed World Ranking

the United States, the name Reed is the 55th most popular surname with an estimated 303,414 people with that name. 10 However, in Canada, the name Reed is ranked the 682nd most popular surname with an estimated 7,650 people with that name. 11 And in Australia, the name Reed is the 300th popular surname with an estimated 11,863 people with that name. 12 New Zealand ranks Reed as 280th with 2,181 people. 13 The United Kingdom ranks Reed as 183rd with 30,092 people. 14

Migration of the Reed family to Ireland

Some of the Reed family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 152 words (11 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Reed migration to the United States +

The New World beckoned settlers from the Scottish-English borders. They sailed aboard the armada of sailing ships known as the "White Sails" which plied the stormy Atlantic. Some called them, less romantically, the "coffin ships." Among the early settlers bearing the Reed surname who came to North America were:

Reed Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
  • Esdras Reed, who landed in Salem, Massachusetts in 1640 16
  • Amey Reed, who landed in Maryland in 1663 16
  • Barbary Reed, who landed in Maryland in 1665 16
  • Ebenezar Reed, who arrived in Maryland in 1678 16
Reed Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • Charles Reed, who landed in North Carolina in 1701 16
  • Anne Reed, who arrived in Virginia in 1711 16
  • Alexander Reed, who arrived in Virginia in 1716 16
  • Anna Lydia Reed, aged 11, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1733 16
  • Hans Jacob Reed, aged 45, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1733 16
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Reed Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Catherine Reed, who arrived in New York, NY in 1817 16
  • Isaac H Reed, who landed in Texas in 1835 16
  • Christopher Reed, who arrived in New York in 1836 16
  • Miss Grace Reed, (b. 1813), aged 24, Cornish settler departing from Falmouth aboard the ship "Royal Adelaide" arriving in the United States on 8th May 1837 17
  • Henry Reed, who arrived in Allegany (Allegheny) County, Pennsylvania in 1844 16
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Reed migration to Canada +

Reed Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century
  • Abigal Reed, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1750
  • David Reed, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1750
  • Elisha Reed, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1750
  • George Reed, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1774
  • Mr. Carlow Ludwell Reed U.E. who arrived at Port Roseway, [Shelbourne], Nova Scotia on December 13, 1783 was passenger number 412 aboard the ship "HMS Clinton", picked up on November 14, 1783 at East River, New York, USA 18
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Reed Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century
  • Margaret Reed, aged 21, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1834 aboard the ship "Edwin" from Dublin, Ireland
  • Isabella Reed, aged 22, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick aboard the ship "Eleanor Gordon" in 1834
  • Mr. Nicholas Reed, (b. 1823), aged 32, Cornish labourer, from St. Ives, Cornwall, UK departing from Falmouth destined for Quebec, Canada aboard the ship "Barque John" on 3rd May 1855 which sank after striking the reef, he survived the sinking 19
Reed Settlers in Canada in the 20th Century
  • Mrs. Klara Angell Reed, Norwegian settler who sailed aboard the ship "Stavangerfjord" arriving in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada in 1951

Reed migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia included the Second Fleet and Third Fleet of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Second Fleet
  • Mr. Edward Reed, (d. 1792), British settler convicted in Essex, England in 1790, sentenced to 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the ship "Matilda" leaving in 1790 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1791 15
Third Fleet
Following the Second and Third Fleets, other convicts and early settlers arriving in Australia include:

Reed Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • William Reed, English convict from London, who was transported aboard the "Ann" on August 1809, settling in New South Wales, Australia 20
  • Miss Rose Reed, (Reid, Read), (b. 1788), aged 26, Irish servant who was convicted in Tyrone, Ireland for 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the "Francis and Eliza" on 15th December 1814, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 21
  • Mr. Thomas Reed, (b. 1801), aged 18, Irish labourer who was convicted in Armagh, Ireland for 7 years, transported aboard the "Castle Forbes" on 3rd October 1819, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 22
  • Mr. John Reed, (b. 1796), aged 24, English brick layer who was convicted in Sussex, England for life, transported aboard the "Earl St Vincent" on 6th April 1820, arriving in New South Wales, Australia, he died in 1834 23
  • Thomas Reed, Welsh convict from Brecon, Wales, who was transported aboard the "Asia" on September 3rd, 1820, settling in New South Wales, Australia 24
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Reed migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Reed Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
  • James Reed, aged 34, a shepherd, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Martha Ridgeway" in 1840
  • Mary Reed, aged 26, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Martha Ridgeway" in 1840
  • Mr. James Reed, (b. 1806), aged 34, British shepherd travelling from England aboard the ship "Martha Ridgway" arriving in Wellington, New Zealand on 14th November 1840 25
  • Mrs. Mary Reed, (b. 1814), aged 26, British settler travelling from England aboard the ship "Martha Ridgway" arriving in Wellington, New Zealand on 14th November 1840 25
  • James Reed, aged 35, a carpenter, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Clifton" in 1842
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Reed migration to West Indies +

The British first settled the British West Indies around 1604. They made many attempts but failed in some to establish settlements on the Islands including Saint Lucia and Grenada. By 1627 they had managed to establish settlements on St. Kitts (St. Christopher) and Barbados, but by 1641 the Spanish had moved in and destroyed some of these including those at Providence Island. The British continued to expand the settlements including setting the First Federation in the British West Indies by 1674; some of the islands include Barbados, Bermuda, Cayman Island, Turks and Caicos, Jamaica and Belize then known as British Honduras. By the 1960's many of the islands became independent after the West Indies Federation which existed from 1958 to 1962 failed due to internal political conflicts. After this a number of Eastern Caribbean islands formed a free association. 26
Reed Settlers in West Indies in the 17th Century
  • Elizabeth Reed, aged 19, who landed in St Christopher in 1634 16

Contemporary Notables of the name Reed (post 1700) +

  • Lewis Allan "Lou" Reed (1942-2013), American rock musician and songwriter, founding member of The Velvet Underground and best remembered for his song Walk on the Wild Side
  • Veda Louise Reed (1934-2025), American artist, attended the Memphis Academy of Art (renamed the Memphis College of Art) for fashion design, however she switched to painting
  • Erma Pauline Reed (b. 1922), née Boyd, American private in the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion, first all-female, all-African-American battalion to server overseas
  • Clarke Thomas Reed (1928-2024), American businessman and politician from Greenville, Mississippi
  • Hubert F. Reed (1936-2024), American NBA basketball player born in Harrah, Oklahoma
  • George Robert Reed CM, SOM (1939-2023), American college football and Canadian Football League player
  • David Benson Reed (1927-2023), American first Bishop of Colombia and the sixth Bishop of Kentucky in the Episcopal Church
  • Willis Reed Jr. (1942-2023), American basketball player, coach and general manager who spent his professional playing career (1964–1974) with the New York Knicks, inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, voted one of the "50 Greatest Players in NBA History"
  • John Burwell "Jack" Reed (1933-2022), American Major League Baseball outfielder for the New York Yankees (1961-1963), popularly known as Mantle's "caddie."
  • ... (Another 43 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Arrow Air Flight 1285
  • Mr. Melvin W Reed (1966-1985), American Private from Tacoma, Washington, USA who died in the Arrow Air Flight 1285 crash 27
  • Mr. George Percival Reed (1921-1941), Australian Writer from Clifton Hill, Victoria, Australia, who sailed into battle aboard HMAS Sydney II and died in the sinking 28
  • Mr. Hector L Reed (b. 1916), English Corporal serving for the Royal Marine from Hayling Island, Hampshire, England, who sailed into battle and died in the HMS Hood sinking 29
  • Mr. William Samuel Reed, British Chief Warrant Officer , who sailed into battle on the HMS Prince of Wales (1941) and survived the sinking 30
  • Mr. William Reed, British Steward, who sailed into battle on the HMS Prince of Wales (1941) and died in the sinking 31
  • ... (Another 9 entries are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

The Reed Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Pax copia
Motto Translation: Peace, plenty.

Suggested Readings for the name Reed +

  • Dunkin-Reid and Garner-McGraw-Mobley Families of South Carolina, Georgia, and Alabama by Dean Smith Cress.
  • The Read Family History, 1740 to 1978 by Mildred Edgington.
  • The Reads, an American Saga by Dorothy Lutomski.
  1. Smith, Eldson Coles, New Dictionary of American Family Names New York: Harper & Row, 1956. Print
  2. Arthur, William , An Etymological Dictionary of Family and Christian Names. London: 1857. Print
  3. Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
  4. Barber, Henry, British Family Names London: Elliot Stock, 62 Paternoster Row, 1894. Print.
  5. Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
  6. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
  7. Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
  8. Testa de Nevill or "Liber Feodorum" or "Book of Fees," thought to have been written by Ralph de Nevill, for King John (1199–1216)
  9. Dickinson, F.H., Kirby's Quest for Somerset of 16th of Edward the 3rd London: Harrison and Sons, Printers in Ordinary to Her Majesty, St, Martin's Lane, 1889. Print.
  10. "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
  11. "Surnames Meanings, Origins & Distribution Maps - Forebears." Forebears, https://forebears.io/surnames
  12. "Most Common Last Names in Australia." Forebears, https://forebears.io/australia/surnames
  13. "Most Common Last Names in New Zealand." Forebears, https://forebears.io/new-zealand/surnames
  14. "UK surname ranking." UK Surname map, https://www.surnamemap.eu/unitedkingdom/surnames_ranking.php?p=10
  15. Convict Records of Australia. Retrieved 4th February 2021 from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships
  16. Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
  17. Cornwall Online Parish Clerks. (Retrieved 2018, April 30). Emigrants to New York 1820 - 1891 [PDF]. Retrieved from http://www.opc-cornwall.org/Resc/pdfs/emigration_new_york_1820_1891.pdf
  18. Rubincam, Milton. The Old United Empire Loyalists List. Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc, 1976. (Originally published as; United Empire Loyalists. The Centennial of the Settlement of Upper Canada. Rose Publishing Company, 1885.) ISBN 0-8063-0331-X
  19. Cornwall Online Parish Clerks. (Retrieved 3rd May 2018). Retrieved from http://www.opc-cornwall.org/Resc/pdfs/wreck_of_emigrant_ship_john_1855.pdf
  20. State Library of Queensland. (Retrieved 2016, October 27) Ann voyage to New South Wales, Australia in 1809 with 200 passengers. Retrieved from http://www.convictrecords.com.au/ships/ann/1809
  21. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 24th October 2022). https://convictrecords.com.au
  22. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 17th December 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/castle-forbes
  23. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 10th September 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/earl-st-vincent
  24. State Library of Queensland. (Retrieved 2016, October 27) Asia 1 voyage to Van Diemen's Land, Australia in 1820 with 192 passengers. Retrieved from http://www.convictrecords.com.au/ships/asia/1820
  25. New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 17th October 2018). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
  26. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_West_Indies
  27. American War Memorials - Flight 1285. (Retrieved 2016, August 24) . Retrieved from http://www.uswarmemorials.org/html/monument_details.php?SiteID=317&MemID=550
  28. HMAS Sydney II, Finding Sydney Foundation - Roll of Honour. (Retrieved 2014, April 24) . Retrieved from http://www.findingsydney.com/roll.asp
  29. H.M.S. Hood Association-Battle Cruiser Hood: Crew Information - H.M.S. Hood Rolls of Honour, Men Lost in the Sinking of H.M.S. Hood, 24th May 1941. (Retrieved 2016, July 15) . Retrieved from http://www.hmshood.com/crew/memorial/roh_24may41.htm
  30. HMS Prince of Wales Crew members. (Retrieved 2014, April 9) . Retrieved from http://www.forcez-survivors.org.uk/biographies/listprincecrew.html

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