READ
Read
Origin and Meaning: The surname Read is of English and Scottish origin. It derived from the Old English word "read," which means "red," and was likely used as a nickname for someone with red hair or a ruddy complexion. The name may also have been a topographic name for someone who lived near a red-colored stream or hill.
History: The Read surname has ancient roots in Britain and has been documented in historical records as far back as the 12th century. It is considered to be a patronymic surname, indicating that it was often used to denote the "son of Read" or the "descendant of Read."
Over the centuries, the Read family name has spread throughout the British Isles and beyond, with variations in spelling such as Reed, Reade, and Readman appearing in different regions. The name has also been carried to other parts of the world through British colonization and migration, particularly to regions such as Australia, New Zealand, and North America.
Notable Individuals:
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Margaret Read (1921-2009): British author known for her children's books and contributions to children's literature.
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Dan Read (b. 1985): British musician and lead vocalist of the band "The Reads."
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Emily Read (b. 1990): Scottish actress known for her roles in stage productions and television.
Modern Distribution and Variants: The Read surname remains fairly common in Britain and can be found in various regions across the country. It is also present in countries with significant British diaspora populations. Variants such as Reed and Reade continue to be used by some individuals bearing the surname.
Coat of Arms: Various coats of arms have been associated with the Read surname, with designs incorporating symbols such as red lions, chevrons, and crosses. These heraldic emblems are often used to identify and distinguish different branches of the Read family.
Conclusion: The Read surname is a prominent and enduring part of British and Scottish heritage, with a rich history that reflects the diverse origins of family names in the British Isles. From its medieval roots to its modern-day presence, the Read family name continues to be passed down through generations, connecting individuals to their ancestral past and cultural identity.
There are approximately 31,017 people named Read in the UK. That makes it the 256th most common surname in Britain. Around 476 in a million people in Britain are named Read.
Surname type: Location or geographical feature
Origin: English
Region of origin: British Isles
Country of origin: England
Religion of origin: Christian
Language of origin: English
Typical given names associated with the surname
Male
- Andrew
- Christopher
- David
- James
- John
- Michael
- Paul
- Peter
- Robert
- Stephen
Female
- Elizabeth
- Emma
- Jennifer
- Julie
- Karen
- Margaret
- Mary
- Nicola
- Patricia
- Sarah
- Susan
Similar and related surnames
- McCreedy
- Raad
- Raade
- Rad
- Rada
- Radai
- Radd
- Radda
- Radde
- Raddi
- Rade
- Rades
- Radi
- Radia
- Radie
- Rado
- Radu
- Radue
- Rady
- Raed
- Raid
- Raida
- Raidi
- Raido
- Rait
- Raitt
- Rate
- Rattu
- Rea
- Readdie
- Readdy
- Reade
- Reader
- Reades
- Readey
- Readie
- Reado
- Reads
- Readus
- Ready
- Red
- Reda
- Redae
- Redah
- Reday
- Redda
- Reddi
- Reddie
- Reddy
- Rede
- Redei
- Reder
- Redew
- Redey
- Redi
- Redie
- Redo
- Redw
- Redy
- Reead
- Reed
- Reeday
- Reede
- Reeder
- Reedes
- Reedie
- Reeds
- Reedy
- Reeid
- Reiad
- Reid
- Reide
- Reidie
- Reids
- Reidy
- Reyad
- Rhead
- Rheade
- Rheid
- Ride
- Riede
- Riedi
- Riedo
- Riedy
- Rodd
- Root
- Rout
- Rudd
- Rutt
- Ryde
- Wrede
Related and similar names are generated algorithmically based on the spelling, and may not necessarily share an etymology.