Read Name Origin, Meaning and Family History

Read Name Meaning: Derived form the Anglo-Saxon word for the colour red. Also similar to the Anglo-Saxon word 'ried' meaning 'woodland clearing'.

An Anglo-Saxon nickname which may relate to someone having red hair, it may have also originated from a settlement of an tribe known as the 'Readingas' (named after their chief) who lived in the town known as Reading or any other placenames similar to Read.

Discover how your Read ancestors earned their living and spread across the country. Find out more about your family history by using the Free Search box.

Surname Distribution

Census frequency by county

Name Concentrations Within England and Wales

Read Surname Statistics


Top Professions for the Read family

Profession Census Frequency
Agricultural Labourer 836
Female Servant 456
Independent 330
Farmer 197
Labourer 179
Male Servant 160
Shoe Maker 93
Ag Labourer 84
Carpenter 83
Tailor 65
Dress Maker 62
Butcher 51
Weaver 50
Cotton Weaver 45
Blacksmith 39
Gardener 35
Servant 32
Baker 28
Clerk 28
Grocer 28
Laundress 27
Apprentice 26
Pauper 25
Bricklayer 25
Independant 24

Read Surname Variants Ranking

Rank Surname Match Census Frequency
1 Reed 75% 171,108
2 Read 100% 149,995
3 Reid 75% 45,698
4 Ord 25% 11,990
5 Reade 80% 6,536
6 Rood 50% 3,489
7 Road 75% 2,872
8 Aird 25% 2,306
9 Rhead 80% 2,255
10 Ride 25% 2,240
11 Red 75% 1,852
12 Ried 50% 1,303
13 Raid 50% 1,290
14 Redd 75% 1,250
15 Rud 50% 928
16 Reede 60% 874
17 Rod 50% 681
18 Roud 50% 625
19 Rade 50% 523
20 Orde 0% 455
21 Rode 25% 370
22 Rude 25% 288
23 Raud 50% 255
24 Rid 50% 254
25 Roughead 50% 243
26 Ard 25% 222
27 Rad 75% 168
28 Rodie 20% 123
29 Ruda 25% 120

Did you know?

The surname Read is the 2nd most popular variant of Reed.

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