Surname Reeds - Meaning and Origin

Reeds: What does the surname Reeds mean?

The surname Reeds has English origins and is a topographical name derived from the Old English term "hrise," which means brushwood or "ried," referring to reeds. The name was typically given to someone who lived in an area thick with reeds or brushwood. For instance, individuals living near a reedy marsh or a patch of land overgrown with reeds may have adopted 'Reeds' as their surname as a way to signify their place of residence. Thus, this surname falls into the category of English surnames which were established based on the locations associated with individuals or their ancestors. Over time it became a hereditary surname passed from one generation to the next. The distribution of the Reeds surname is widespread, with various occurrences noted across different countries, majorly in English-speaking regions.

Reeds: Where does the name Reeds come from?

The last name Reeds is predominantly found in the United States and Canada. In the United States, Reeds is most frequently located in the Midwest and parts of the South. States such as Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma, Tennessee, and Texas have the highest concentration of residents with the last name.

In Canada, Reeds is most commonly found in the province of Ontario. The Ontario cities of Toronto, Ottawa, and London are known to have Reeds among the residents. Other provinces, such as Alberta, British Columbia, and Quebec, also have considerable populations of people with the Reeds surname.

Reeds is also known to be a popular surname throughout the United Kingdom, primarily in England, Scotland, and Northern Ireland. In England, the name Reeds is found most often in the counties of Lancashire, Essex, and Yorkshire.

In other European countries, there is not as large of a population with the Reeds surname. According to the International Database of Surnames, Denmark, France, Germany, Netherland, and Switzerland have only a few Reeds families residing in those countries. It is estimated that less than 1,000 people across the continent of Europe combine to have the Reeds surname.

These statistics provide insight as to what regions Reeds is most popularly seen in. The opportunities for genealogists and family researchers is great, due to the fact that the Reeds surname is not as overwhelmingly common as some, making it easier to track one particular family group.

Variations of the surname Reeds

The surname Reeds is an English toponymic surname derived from the Old English personal name Hreod and the Old English word “hryð” which means ‘reed’ or any plant of the genus Gramineae.

Variants of the surname Reeds include Reade, Reede, Rede, Read, Reade, Reads, Redes and Reids.

Spellings of the name can vary from Reeds to Readez, Redez, Redsez, Reids, Riedes, Rides and Ryez.

Common surnames that have the same origin as the Reeds surname include Reid, Reede, Read, Rees, Reade, Redd, Reddin, Redman, Reddington, Hubble, Hubbell, Hibell, Hable, Hebble and Hubbel.

The oldest recorded form of the surname Reeds is derived from the Anglo-Saxon period and is represented as Hrodryð, a personal name, a compound of Hrod- and -ryð, meaning ‘Hreod’s stream’.

Many other Regional variations of the surname Reed, Rees and Read, have been found in England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales. The Welsh form of the surname Reeds is Rhyd. Scottish variants of the surname Reeds include Reid, Reade, Rees and Rice. In Ireland, variants of the surname Reeds include Reade, Rees, Rey, Read, Reid, Readen and Rearden.

Countries outside of England which bear the surname Reeds include Germany, France, the Netherlands, Belgium, Sweden and Denmark.

In conclusion, the surname Reeds is a toponymic surname of Anglo-Saxon origin that has many variants in spelling, form and regional origin. Variants of the surname include Reade, Reede, Rede, Read, Reade, Reads, Redes, Reids and Rhyd, to name but a few. Many countries around the world, including Germany, France, the Netherlands, Belgium, Sweden and Denmark, also have families bearing the surname of Reeds.

Famous people with the name Reeds

• Ian Reed Kesler: Actor
• Fitz Reed: Television producer
• Daphne Reid: Actor
• Ryley Walker: Musician
• Andrew Reed: Professional golfer
• Ryan Reed: NASCAR racer
• Hal Reed: NFL player
• Bobby Reed: Musician
• Darin Reed: Actor
• Bill Reed: Musician
• Stratton Reed: Actor
• Philip Reed: Actor
• E.G. Reed: Scientist
• William J. Reed Jr.: Former mayor of Newark, New Jersey
• Connie Jean Reed: Professional dancer
• J. R. Reed: Football safety
• Rainiertamayo Reed: Actor
• Kristy Lee Reed: Country singer
• Lynda Reede: Actress
• Charles J. Reed: American film producer
• LaToria Reed: Actress
• Chris Reed: Tennis player
• Francine Reed: Blues singer
• Cheryl Reed: Voice actor
• Tami Reed: Entrepreneur

Other surnames

ReedReedarReedeReederReedisReedy