The surname Reed can be of English,Scotish or Irish in origin.In both England and Scotland the surnames Read,Reed and Reid can derive from the word ‘red’ and it denoted someone with red hair or a ruddy complexion;the word ‘red’ was pronounced reed in medieval times.The surname is quite common ,as with all nicknames derived from the complexion of hair or face.The surname in England can also derive from a residence in a clearing from the Old English ‘ried’.It can also be a habitational surname from various places in England;Read in Lancashire,the name of which is a contracted form of the Old English ‘roegheafod,from ‘roege’ female roe deer and ‘heafod’ head (land);Rede in Suffolk,so called from Old English ‘hreod’ reeds;or Reed in Hertfordshire,so called from the Old English ‘ryht’ brushwood.The name dates to the tenth century were a Leofwine se Reade is recorded in historical archives;the modern form of the name dates to the thirteenth century were a Hamo le Reed is recorded.The surname was brought to America by English…
Coat of arms: Gules,a saltire between four garbs…