Surname Ried - Meaning and Origin
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Ried: What does the surname Ried mean?
The last name Ried is a topographical name deriving from the Middle High German word 'ried', which means clearing, meadow, or pasture. This name may have been used both as a topographical descriptor of someone who lived near a clearing or meadow, or as an occupational descriptor for someone who worked in and owned a clearing or meadow. This name is most common and widespread in German-speaking countries, although it can also be found in other countries and regions around the world as a result of migrations, emigrations, and intermarriages.
The Ried surname is an old one, with several branches of the family in various regions. According to research, the Ried surname may have originated from the Rhine-Ruhr region of Germany, although other areas claim to be the origin of this last name. Ried is an old German word, and the various migrations of many German speaking people resulted in this name appearing in other countries as well.
One branch of the Ried family who were found in the United States, according to the US census, were from Prussia and descended from a line of ministers, emphasizing the longevity of the family of Ried, and their impact on the places that they lived and worked in.
Another branch of the Ried family was found in Switzerland, where they were recorded as living in the cantons of Aargau, Berne, and Zurich. Throughout its varied regional distribution, the Ried surname remains a common one, and continues to be used in many countries today.
Order DNA origin analysisRied: Where does the name Ried come from?
The last name Ried is most commonly found in the southern region of Germany today, especially in Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg. It is also prevalent in the bordering countries of Switzerland, Austria, Czech Republic, and far-Western Poland.
The popularity of the name Ried is believed to stem from the Middle Ages period when it was used as a surname to refer to a person living in a meadow or small river valley. Other theories suggest that the name evolved from the first name Rie, the Germanic form of the name Gregory, or the occupational surname for someone who owned a piece of land that was designated as a forest territory known as ried.
The Ried name is also easily recognized in the U.S., specifically in Pennsylvania and the surrounding states. Merging of families and continents has caused the name to spread worldwide, including Australia, Canada, China, India, Mexico, New Zealand, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, and many other countries. It is estimated that over 45 million people worldwide are descended from Ried ancestors.
In 2005, a Ried family reunion was organized in Epsom, New Zealand, bringing together family members from around the globe, all united by the uncommon surname of Ried. The reunion was a testament to the global movement achieved by members of the Ried family, and it became an annual event that still happens every summer.
Variations of the surname Ried
The surname Ried can also appear as Reid, Reed, Rede, Reyde, Read, Riding, Writin, Rieden, Riedl, Riede, and Rieder. This surname originated from Germany and is most common in the United States and Germany.
The name Ried is derived from a medieval German toponymic name for someone who lived near a clearing in the forest, or a changing of the Old English word ryde, meaning ‘clearing’. This is an example of a locational name, which is a type of surname which was taken on by people who moved to a different place, the name being derived from the place they had come from.
The variant Reid could stem from the Old Gaelic word riabhach, meaning brindled or grey, and was a nickname given to those with a ‘grey presence’. This later changed to Macrory, which, again in Old Gaelic, means ‘son of Rory’. This is an example of a patronymic name, which is when a child takes on the surname of their father, and was a common occurrence throughout the medieval period.
Reed is a variation of Reid, and Read is likely to be an Anglicized version of (Mac)Crory. The variant Riding could possibly be derived from the Middle English word ‘ryding’, meaning ‘wood or clearing’. Writin and Rieden could be two completely separate surnames, however, it’s possible the original spelling has been mutated over time.
The suffixes -l,-e, and -er are all Germanic and are quite common among other surnames. They are appended to the main part of the name to indicate a particular individual in the family, for example Riedl being the little Ried, or Rieder being the son of Ried.
Famous people with the name Ried
- Kevin Ried: An Australian rules footballer who currently plays for Geelong in the AFL.
- Alex Ried: An American actor known for his role in the popular CW television show One Tree Hill.
- Ralph Riede: A German international footballer who plays for Bayern Munich.
- Jeannine Ried: An American race car driver notable for being the first woman ever to race in a NASCAR series event.
- Armin Ried: A German luge athlete who won bronze medals at the 2010 and 2014 Winter Olympics.
- Thomas Ried: A Swiss ice hockey player who is currently playing for HC Lugano in the Swiss National League (NL).
- Annette Ried: A German actress known for her roles in films such as Summer Storm, Love in Thoughts and Head On.
- Larry Ried: An American professional basketball player for the Orlando Magic in the NBA.
- Georg Ried: An Austrian singer-songwriter known for his hits “The Long Goodbye” and “Songs for Winter”.
- Christian Ried: A German race car driver who has won the 24 Hours of Le Mans three times.