Surname Read - Meaning and Origin

Discovering Roots: An Emotional Journey into Family Heritage with iGENEA

The author shares their emotional journey with iGENEA DNA test uncovering learnings about their family heritage and the origins of their surname, Read. They discuss the changes in their perception and the impact on their familial relations.

J. Read

Read: What does the surname Read mean?

The last name Read originates from England and has multiple possible meanings due to different etymologies. One possibility is that it came from an old personal name, either the Old English Rēad or the Old Norse Rauðr, both meaning "red." In this context, it could have been a nickname for a person with red hair or a ruddy complexion. Another possibility is that the surname derived from the Old English verb rǣdan, meaning "to advise" or "to counsel," and would have been used for someone who was known for giving advice or making wise decisions. A third possibility is that it could have come from the Old English ryððe, which means a "clearing in woodland", and would have been applied to someone who lived in or near such a locale.

Read: Where does the name Read come from?

The last name Read is found in many countries around the world. Common locations for the surname include England, Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Canada, the United States, and Australia. The first record of the last name Read dates back to 1066, when William the Conqueror invaded England. The last name has been in Britain for centuries, and has spread thanks to immigrants and settlers over the years.

The surname Read is most common in England, where it ranks in the top 250 most common surnames. In the United States, the last name Read ranks in the top 3,000 most common surnames. Likewise, in Canada, the Read name ranks in the top 5,000 most common surnames. The most frequent locations with the name Read is found in the northwest of England, especially around the Irish Sea.

The last name may refer to someone whose occupation is related to reading or reading-related activities. The etymological origin of the name could be from the Old Dutch term "reden," which translates to "one who reads or speaks fluently." Thus, Read may have been adopted by authority figures who had to read documents and communicate to others. Alternatively, the name could come from the Middle English term "rade," which translated to "person who travels a road" or "traveller." Thus, Read could signify a traveller who was on the road a lot.

Overall, the surname Read is a common last name found around the world today. It most likely originates from two sources: a reading-related occupation or a frequent traveller.

Variations of the surname Read

The surname Read has various variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin.

The most common variants and spellings of the surname Read include Reade, Reed, Reid, Reede, Reeds, Reayd, Read, Reade, Reeds, Reede, LeRed, Redd, and Rhead.

Read can also be found with spelling differences in other parts of the world, like prend, breed, fraed, ried, grea, rede, rette, rid, roed, raid, and riat.

Read is a Germanic or Anglo-Saxon name that originally meant “counsel,” as it comes from the Old English word “rahd” and Old High German “rat.”

The name Read is often seen with different surnames, like the following: Red, Reed, Reiden, Reins, Reidenbach, Redman, Redmon, Redding, Raymond, Ray, Reardon, Readnet, Readey, Readshaw, Rednall, Redwine, Reedy, Readhead, and Rayner.

Overall, Read is a name of Germanic and Anglo-Saxon origins, which has various variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin.

Famous people with the name Read

• Dax Read: American actor from West Virginia.
• Catherine Read: an English actress from the 1950s.
• Katie Read: an Australian chef-owner of a café in Victoria.
• Matilda Read: an English artist.
• Frank Read: a British geologist from the early 20th century.
• David Read: an American biologist.
• Suzanne Read: an English historian.
• John Read: an English Professor of Psychology at the University of East London.
• Rupert Read: an English philosopher and Green Party Councillor.
• Robert Read: a British historian from the 1950s and 1960s.
• Hilary Read: an English novelist.
• Rosemary Read: an English journalist and author.
• Brian Read: a British dermatologist.
• Jim Read: an American singer and songwriter.
• David Read: an English sculptor.
• Catherine Read: an English comedian and actress.
• Giles Read: an American painter.
• Daniel Read: an American composer and organist.
• Alan Read: a British choreographer.
• Philip Read: an English art historian.

Other surnames

ReaReaddickReadeReaderReadisReadmanReadyReaganReagelReagerReaginReagleRealRealeRealesRealsReamReamesReameyReamsReamyReaneyReanierReanyReardanReardenReardonReaserReasinReason