- Origins Available:
England
Scotland
Ireland
The origins of the Reid surname are uncertain. In some instances, it was no doubt derived from the Old English word “read,” meaning “red,” and was a nickname that came to be a surname. Either way, we may conclude that it meant “red-haired” or “ruddy complexioned.” [1] [2]
To confuse matters more, there are also instances where the surname Reid is thought to be derived from one of various place names, such as Read in Lancashire, and Rede in Suffolk.
Early Origins of the Reid family
The surname Reid was first found in Aberdeenshire (Gaelic: Siorrachd Obar Dheathain), a historic county, and present day Council Area of Aberdeen, located in the Grampian region of northeastern Scotland where the name has been found since the 14th century. Ancient charters show the name as Rufus (Latinized,) records include an Ada Rufus who witnessed resignation of the lands of Ingilbristoun in 1204; and a William Rufus, who was a juror on an inquest on the lands of Padevinan in 1259. “Gilbert ‘le Rede’ of Coul was committed to prison and died there in 1296. Red is found as a surname in Aberdeen in 1317, and it is one of the oldest in the parish of Kildrummy. Patrick dictus Rede was on an assize at Rane in 1335, John Reed was collector of tithe in the deaneries of Stormonth and Atholl in 1362, and James Reed was bailie of the burgh of Stirling in 1364. Reeds were at one period a numerous Clan in Kyle. The first of the name there recorded is probably William Rede, son of John Reede. who had a confirmation of the lands and pertinents of Bairskemyn in Kyle in 1375. ” [3]
For the purposes of Clan identification, the family name Reid is officially a sept of the Clan Robertson and as such is entitled to the Clan Badge and Crest of the Robertsons.
Early History of the Reid family
This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Reid research. Another 359 words (26 lines of text) covering the years 1296, 1296, 1335, 1362, 1364, 1375, 1494, 1376, 1558, 1543, 1357, 1439, 1639, 1558, 1624, 1586, 1641, 1625, 1618, 1721, 1806, 1843, 1917 and 1806 are included under the topic Early Reid History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Reid Spelling Variations
Spelling variations of this family name include: Ried, Reid, Read, Reed and others.
Early Notables of the Reid family (pre 1700)
Notable amongst the Clan from early times was Robert Reid (died 1558), Scottish abbot of Kinloss and bishop of Orkney, son of John Reid of Aikenhead, who was killed at Flodden; Thomas Redi, Read or Rhaedus (died 1624), Latin secretary to King James I, second son of James Reid, minister of Banchory Ternan, Kincardineshire; Alexander Rhead or Reid (1586-1641), a Scottish anatomist and surgeon, whose surname is variously spelt Reid, Read, Reade, Rhead, or Rhaedus, the third son of James Reid, minister of Banchory Ternan, Kincardineshire; and Thomas Reid (d. 1625), who was appointed Latin secretary to King James I of… Another 162 words (12 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Reid Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Reid World Ranking
In the United States, the name Reid is the 232nd most popular surname with an estimated 114,402 people with that name. [4] However, in Canada, the name Reid is ranked the 37th most popular surname with an estimated 43,241 people with that name. [5] And in Quebec, Canada, the name Reid is the 527th popular surname. [6] Newfoundland, Canada ranks Reid as 14th with 942 people. [7] Australia ranks Reid as 69th with 33,800 people. [8] New Zealand ranks Reid as 35th with 5,572 people. [9] The United Kingdom ranks Reid as 90th with 51,282 people. [10]
Migration of the Reid family to Ireland
Some of the Reid family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.Another 45 words (3 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
