NameCensus.

UK surname

Reading

An English locational surname referring to someone from the town of Reading in Berkshire, England.

In the 1881 census there were 2,317 people recorded with the Reading surname, ranking it #1,920 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 2,911, ranked #2,319, down from #1,920 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to London parishes, St Marylebone and Leamington Priors. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Warwick, Shropshire and Stratford-on-Avon.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Reading is 3,112 in 1999. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 25.6%.

1881 census count

2,317

Ranked #1,920

Modern count

2,911

2016, ranked #2,319

Peak year

1999

3,112 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Reading had 2,317 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #1,920 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 2,911 in 2016, ranked #2,319.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 2,923 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Reading surname distribution map

The map shows where the Reading surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.

Distribution map

Reading surname density by area, 1881 census.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Reading over time

The table below tracks recorded surname counts and rank from the 19th-century census years through the modern adult-register period.

Year Period Count Rank
1851 historical 1,628 #1,764
1861 historical 1,735 #1,663
1881 historical 2,317 #1,920
1891 historical 2,595 #1,831
1901 historical 2,786 #2,000
1911 historical 2,923 #1,783
1997 modern 2,963 #2,188
1998 modern 3,070 #2,190
1999 modern 3,112 #2,174
2000 modern 3,040 #2,214
2001 modern 2,987 #2,206
2002 modern 3,050 #2,209
2003 modern 2,977 #2,209
2004 modern 2,981 #2,202
2005 modern 2,923 #2,213
2006 modern 2,935 #2,205
2007 modern 2,929 #2,238
2008 modern 2,922 #2,251
2009 modern 2,978 #2,267
2010 modern 3,083 #2,234
2011 modern 3,004 #2,275
2012 modern 2,915 #2,296
2013 modern 2,969 #2,297
2014 modern 2,960 #2,312
2015 modern 2,935 #2,308
2016 modern 2,911 #2,319

Geography

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Where Readings are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around London parishes, St Marylebone, Leamington Priors and Chesham (incl. Chartridge, Billington & Latimers with Waterside. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Warwick, Shropshire and Stratford-on-Avon. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.

Some modern areas include a three-digit suffix, such as Leeds 110. The suffix is a small-area code, so it stays in the table while the prose uses the plain place name.

Top historical parishes

Rank Parish Area
1 London parishes London 1
2 London parishes London 3
3 St Marylebone London (North Districts)
4 Leamington Priors Warwickshire
5 Chesham (incl. Chartridge, Billington & Latimers with Waterside Buckinghamshire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Warwick 015 Warwick
2 Warwick 013 Warwick
3 Shropshire 038 Shropshire
4 Stratford-on-Avon 005 Stratford-on-Avon
5 Warwick 007 Warwick

Forenames

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First names often paired with Reading

These lists show first names that appear often with the Reading surname in historical and recent records.

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Reading

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Reading, this points to the kinds of places where the surname is most concentrated today.

These neighbourhood labels describe areas, not individual people. They are useful because surnames often cluster through family history, migration, housing patterns and local work. A surname can be strongest in one type of neighbourhood even when people with that name live across the country.

The UK classification gives the national picture. The London classification is more specific to the capital, where housing, age profile, tenure and population mix can look quite different from the rest of the UK.

UK neighbourhood type

UK Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities

Group

Rural Amenity

Nationally, the Reading surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Rural Amenity, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Reading household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

This Group comprises older parents or retirees, with no resident dependent children, and with the lowest residential densities in this Supergroup. Predominantly UK-born, residents typically live in detached houses, although others do live in semi-detached and terraced properties. The level of multiple car ownership is the highest in this Supergroup. Most houses are owner occupied although social renting is also present. Many concentrations occur in high amenity rural locations, such as Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Wider pattern

Pervasive throughout the UK, members of this Supergroup typically own (or are buying) their detached, semi-detached or terraced homes. They are also typically educated to A Level/Highers or degree level and work in skilled or professional occupations. Typically born in the UK, some families have children, although the median adult age is above 45 and some property has become under-occupied after children have left home. This Supergroup is pervasive not only in suburban locations, but also in neighbourhoods at or beyond the edge of cities that adjoin rural parts of the country.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Social Rented Sector Families with Children

Group

Social Rented Sector Pockets

Within London, Reading is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector Pockets, part of Social Rented Sector Families with Children. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Found in pockets across London, residents are less likely to live in private sector rentals and fewer adults are students. Fewer individuals work in transport and communications occupations relative to the Supergroup average. More individuals identify as Black and were born in Africa.

Wider London pattern

Residents of these neighbourhoods include sizable numbers identifying with ethnicities originating outside Europe, particularly in Africa or Bangladesh. The proportion of residents identifying as White, Indian or Pakistani is well below the London average. Neighbourhood age profiles are skewed towards younger adults, and above average numbers of families have children. Rates of use of English at home are below average. Marriage rates are low, and levels of separation or divorce are above average. Housing is predominantly in flats, and renting in the social rented sector the norm - few residents are owner occupiers. Housing is often overcrowded, and neighbourhoods are amongst the most densely populated in London. Disability rates are above average, although levels of unpaid care provision are about average. Employment is in caring, leisure, other service occupations, sales and customer service, or process, plant, and machine operation. Part time working and full-time student study are common. Levels of unemployment are slightly above average. Most residents have only Level 1 or 2 educational qualifications or have completed apprenticeships.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Reading is most concentrated in decile 5 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname near the middle of the scale.

Lower deciles point towards weaker access to healthy assets or stronger exposure to local hazards. Higher deciles point towards stronger access and fewer hazards.

5
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Reading falls in decile 10 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the less deprived end of the index.

Decile 1 represents the more deprived end of the scale. Decile 10 represents the less deprived end.

10
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Reading is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 30-40 mbit/s.

The scale below places that band in context, from slower local download bands through to faster ones.

6
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

This describes the area pattern most associated with Reading, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Reading

The surname Reading is of English origin, derived from the place name 'Reading' in Berkshire, England. It is a locational surname, meaning it was originally given to someone who hailed from the town of Reading.

The town of Reading itself dates back to the 8th century, with its name deriving from the Old English phrase 'Readin-gan', meaning 'the people of Reada'. Reada was likely a Saxon leader or chieftain who established a settlement in the area.

One of the earliest recorded mentions of the surname Reading can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, where it appears as 'Redinge'. This indicates that the surname was already in use by the late 11th century.

In the 13th century, a notable bearer of the surname was John Reading, a prominent landowner and knight who served under King Edward I. He was born around 1250 and died in 1317.

Another early example is William Reading, a wealthy merchant and alderman of London, who lived from 1340 to 1400. He was involved in the wool trade and held significant influence in the city's affairs.

In the 16th century, Thomas Reading (1516-1587) was a respected English clergyman and author, best known for his work 'A Guide to the Holy Scriptures'.

During the English Civil War in the 17th century, Colonel John Reading (1588-1667) was a prominent military leader who fought for the Parliamentarian forces under Oliver Cromwell.

In the 18th century, Reverend William Reading (1717-1794) was a notable Anglican clergyman and author, known for his sermons and religious writings.

These are just a few examples of notable individuals who have borne the surname Reading throughout history, highlighting its English origins and long-standing presence in various fields and contexts.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Reading families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Reading surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.

Top counties

Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Middlesex leads with 497 Readings recorded in 1881 and an index of 2.20x.

County Total Index
Middlesex 497 2.20x
Warwickshire 456 8.00x
Surrey 214 1.94x
Buckinghamshire 156 11.42x
Hertfordshire 105 6.74x
Staffordshire 91 1.19x
Worcestershire 89 3.02x
Hampshire 74 1.60x
Kent 69 0.90x
Berkshire 60 3.54x
Lancashire 54 0.20x
Somerset 54 1.48x
Oxfordshire 53 3.80x
Yorkshire 53 0.24x
Leicestershire 48 1.92x
Sussex 47 1.23x
Essex 45 1.01x
Gloucestershire 22 0.50x
Lincolnshire 16 0.44x
Suffolk 16 0.58x
Cambridgeshire 13 0.91x
Northamptonshire 13 0.61x
Monmouthshire 9 0.55x
Northumberland 9 0.27x
Norfolk 8 0.23x
Midlothian 6 0.20x
Glamorgan 5 0.13x
Herefordshire 5 0.54x
Durham 4 0.06x
Bedfordshire 3 0.26x
Cheshire 3 0.06x
Cornwall 3 0.12x
Devon 3 0.06x
Royal Navy 3 1.11x
Huntingdonshire 2 0.45x
Lanarkshire 2 0.03x
Nottinghamshire 2 0.07x
Angus 1 0.05x
Denbighshire 1 0.12x
Derbyshire 1 0.03x
Shropshire 1 0.05x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Birmingham in Warwickshire leads with 87 Readings recorded in 1881 and an index of 4.58x.

Place Total Index
Birmingham 87 4.58x
Chesham 82 162.89x
Aston 78 4.97x
Islington London 64 2.92x
Lambeth 56 2.84x
St Pancras London 47 2.58x
St Marylebone London 45 3.73x
Kensington London 42 3.34x
Redbourn 41 241.03x
Bilton 33 251.33x
Leamington 32 84.77x
Newington 27 3.24x
Hackney London 25 1.97x
Battersea 24 2.89x
West Bromwich 23 5.27x
West Ham 22 2.23x
Coventry St Michael 21 11.47x
Hammersmith London 21 3.77x
Medbourne 21 488.37x
Mile End Old Town 21 5.89x
Rickmansworth 21 48.99x
Kings Norton 20 7.56x
Portsea 20 2.20x
Whitnash 20 607.90x
Handsworth 19 10.11x
Leamington Priors 19 13.55x
Westminster St John 16 5.82x
Bridgewater 15 15.19x
Brighton 15 1.95x
Chelsea London 15 2.20x
Clerkenwell London 15 2.81x
North Petherton 15 51.14x
Aylesbury 14 23.13x
Northchurch 14 84.19x
Ramsgate 14 11.13x
Warwick St Nicholas 14 33.51x
Watford 14 11.60x
Alton 13 37.25x
Barrow In Furness 13 3.57x
Bethnal Green London 13 1.32x
Northfield 13 23.23x
Attercliffe Cum Darnall 12 5.75x
Kingswinford 12 4.33x
Oldbury 12 8.27x
Wolverhampton 12 2.05x
Bierton With Broughton 11 175.16x
Camberwell 11 0.76x
Croydon 11 1.80x
Gloucester St Nicholas 11 53.61x
Leicester All Sts 11 22.36x
Portsmouth 11 10.32x
Walton On Hill 11 7.57x
Whitechapel London 11 4.94x
Alcester 10 53.22x
Bermondsey 10 1.49x
Catcott 10 235.29x
Caterham 10 20.55x
Ealing 10 4.95x
Kingston On Thames 10 3.78x
Priors Hardwick 10 460.83x
Stoke Newington London 10 5.68x
Walthamstow 10 6.23x
Winkfield 10 35.54x
Alvechurch 9 71.71x
Coleshill 9 49.26x
Everton 9 1.05x
Fulham London 9 2.75x
Greenwich 9 2.50x
Harborne 9 3.68x
Leyton Low 9 9.93x
Nuthurst 9 142.86x
St Luke London 9 2.48x
St Martin In Fields 9 6.65x
St Thomas Winchester 9 27.52x
St Woollos 9 4.94x
Twickenham 9 9.29x
Whittlesey St Mary St 9 18.01x
Amersham 8 41.32x
Great Yarmouth 8 2.78x
St Anne Soho London 8 6.20x

Top female names

These are the female first names most often recorded with the Reading surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.

Name Count
Mary 120
Elizabeth 93
Sarah 84
Eliza 50
Jane 44
Emma 41
Annie 39
Ann 38
Alice 36
Emily 36
Ellen 33
Louisa 24
Charlotte 22
Hannah 21
Martha 18
Edith 17
Florence 15
Harriet 15
Caroline 14
Amy 13
Catherine 13
Lucy 13
Maria 13
Ada 11
Fanny 11
Julia 11
Kate 11
Rose 11
Susan 11
Frances 10
Bertha 9
Ethel 9
Jessie 9
Margaret 9
Rebecca 9
Clara 8
Harriett 7
Anne 6
Eleanor 6
Gertrude 6
Laura 6
Sophia 6
Agnes 5
Amelia 5
Esther 5
Helen 5
Isabella 5
Lydia 5
Matilda 5
Minnie 5

Top male names

These are the male first names most often recorded with the Reading surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.

Name Count
William 155
John 113
George 90
James 73
Charles 69
Thomas 69
Henry 61
Joseph 46
Edward 34
Alfred 33
Frederick 27
Arthur 25
Walter 25
Albert 22
Samuel 17
Ernest 16
Richard 16
Frank 14
Robert 11
Herbert 10
Harry 8
Percy 8
Francis 7
David 6
Edwin 6
Benjamin 5
Isaac 4
Wm. 4
Abraham 3
Edgar 3
Edmund 3
Geo. 3
Jas. 3
Job 3
Michael 3
Robt. 3
Amos 2
Cornelius 2
Daniel 2
Eli 2
Harold 2
Jesse 2
Jessie 2
Matthew 2
Nathaniel 2
Norman 2
Reuben 2
Rowland 2
Sydney 2
Tom 2

FAQ

Reading surname: questions and answers

How common was the Reading surname in 1881?

In 1881, 2,317 people were recorded with the Reading surname. That placed it at #1,920 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Reading surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 2,911 in 2016. That gives Reading a modern rank of #2,319.

What does the Reading surname mean?

An English locational surname referring to someone from the town of Reading in Berkshire, England.

What does the Reading map show?

The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Reading bearers relative to the surrounding population.

What records is this surname page based on?

The historical counts come from census surname records. The modern counts and neighbourhood summaries come from later surname distribution records. Counts are recorded bearers in those records, not a live estimate of everyone with the name today.