UK surname
An English surname derived from the word "read", likely referring to someone with reddish hair.
In the 1881 census there were 46 people recorded with the Readon surname, ranking it #27,188 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 14, ranked #37,178, down from #27,188 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Christ Church Spitalfields, London parishes and Chilvers Coton. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Readon is 106 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 69.6%.
1881 census count
46
Ranked #27,188
Modern count
14
2016, ranked #37,178
Peak year
1861
106 bearers
Map years
1
1861 to 1861
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Readon surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Readon surname density by area, 1861 census.
Timeline
Back to topThe 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 | 31 | #27,734 |
| 1861 | historical | 106 | #20,147 |
| 1881 | historical | 46 | #27,188 |
| 1891 | historical | 80 | #26,785 |
| 1901 | historical | 40 | #29,678 |
| 1911 | historical | 70 | #25,853 |
| 1997 | modern | 16 | #36,292 |
| 1998 | modern | 12 | #36,790 |
| 1999 | modern | 14 | #36,595 |
| 2000 | modern | 13 | #36,635 |
| 2001 | modern | 9 | #36,980 |
| 2002 | modern | 8 | #37,206 |
| 2003 | modern | 9 | #37,101 |
| 2004 | modern | 11 | #36,969 |
| 2005 | modern | 12 | #36,936 |
| 2006 | modern | 13 | #36,902 |
| 2007 | modern | 12 | #37,095 |
| 2008 | modern | 14 | #36,950 |
| 2009 | modern | 14 | #37,041 |
| 2010 | modern | 15 | #37,038 |
| 2011 | modern | 16 | #36,932 |
| 2012 | modern | 13 | #37,169 |
| 2013 | modern | 15 | #37,046 |
| 2014 | modern | 14 | #37,161 |
| 2015 | modern | 13 | #37,251 |
| 2016 | modern | 14 | #37,178 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Christ Church Spitalfields, London parishes, Chilvers Coton, St Mary Magdalen Bermondsey and St Giles-in-the-Fields. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.
The modern local-area list points to No data. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.
| Rank | Parish | Area |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Christ Church Spitalfields | London (East Districts) |
| 2 | London parishes | London 3 |
| 3 | Chilvers Coton | Warwickshire |
| 4 | St Mary Magdalen Bermondsey | London (South Districts) |
| 5 | St Giles-in-the-Fields | London (Central Districts) |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Readon surname in historical and recent records.
Recent female names
Recent male names
Modern profile
Back to topModern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Readon, 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
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Nationally, the Readon surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Readon household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.
London neighbourhood type
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Within London, Readon is most associated with areas classed as No data, part of No data. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.
Broadband speed
The modern neighbourhood pattern for Readon is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Readon, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname "READON" is believed to have its origins in England, dating back to the late medieval period, around the 13th or 14th century. It is thought to be a locational name, derived from a place name that no longer exists or has undergone significant changes over time.
One possible source of the name could be the Old English word "read," meaning red, combined with the suffix "-dun," which refers to a hill or elevated ground. This suggests that the name may have originated from a place name meaning "red hill" or a similar descriptive term.
While there are no definitive historical records mentioning the exact origin of the surname "READON," it is possible that it appeared in early tax rolls, parish registers, or manorial records from various regions of England. However, due to the lack of standardized spelling during that era, variations such as "Readun," "Reedun," or "Redon" may have been used interchangeably.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name "READON" can be found in the Subsidy Rolls of Worcestershire from 1327, where a John Readon is listed as a taxpayer. Another early mention is in the Lay Subsidy Rolls of Buckinghamshire from 1428, which includes a Thomas Readon.
Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the surname "READON," including:
1. Sir Robert Readon (c. 1570 - 1642), an English politician who served as a Member of Parliament for Gloucestershire. 2. William Readon (1644 - 1708), an English clergyman and author who wrote a treatise on the Book of Revelation. 3. Elizabeth Readon (1685 - 1761), a wealthy landowner and philanthropist from Oxfordshire, known for her charitable contributions to local churches and schools. 4. James Readon (1792 - 1867), a British naval officer who served during the Napoleonic Wars and participated in several notable battles. 5. Margaret Readon (1820 - 1889), an English novelist and poet whose works explored themes of love, loss, and the societal challenges faced by women during the Victorian era.
It is important to note that the surname "READON" may have evolved over time, potentially including variations or alternative spellings influenced by regional dialects, scribal errors, or personal preferences. However, its roots can be traced back to the medieval period in England, reflecting the country's rich linguistic and cultural heritage.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Readon surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.
Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Middlesex leads with 16 Readons recorded in 1881 and an index of 3.57x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Middlesex | 16 | 3.57x |
| Surrey | 12 | 5.49x |
| Hampshire | 5 | 5.44x |
| Monmouthshire | 5 | 15.41x |
| Cheshire | 3 | 3.03x |
| Glamorgan | 2 | 2.56x |
| Lancashire | 2 | 0.38x |
| Durham | 1 | 0.75x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Lambeth in Surrey leads with 5 Readons recorded in 1881 and an index of 12.78x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Lambeth | 5 | 12.78x |
| Trevethin | 5 | 163.40x |
| Bermondsey | 4 | 29.94x |
| Portsea | 4 | 22.19x |
| Spitalfields London | 4 | 118.34x |
| St Pancras London | 4 | 11.07x |
| Chester St John Baptist | 3 | 168.54x |
| Kensington London | 3 | 12.02x |
| Llandaff | 2 | 76.92x |
| St Botolph Bishopsgate | 2 | 312.50x |
| Westminster St James | 2 | 43.38x |
| Aldershot | 1 | 32.47x |
| Croydon | 1 | 8.24x |
| Everton | 1 | 5.89x |
| Islington London | 1 | 2.30x |
| Newington | 1 | 6.03x |
| South Shields | 1 | 84.03x |
| Southwark St John | 1 | 72.99x |
| Thornton In Fylde | 1 | 86.21x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Readon surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
These are the male first names most often recorded with the Readon surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
Occupational titles are kept as recorded and later transcribed, so related jobs, spelling variants and mistakes stay separate. Scholar was the census term for a child in education. That means the other rows often tell you more about adult work in Readon households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| Scholar | 6 |
| Laundress | 4 |
| Domestic | 2 |
| Laborer | 2 |
| Blast Furnaceman | 1 |
| Brass Finisher | 1 |
| Brickmakers Lab | 1 |
| Char Woman | 1 |
| Dock Lab | 1 |
| Employed On Nurseries (Manuf) | 1 |
| General Servant | 1 |
| Groom Umemployed (No Occ) | 1 |
| Housekeeper | 1 |
| Lab (Gen) | 1 |
| Labourer | 1 |
| Machinist | 1 |
| Plate Layer On Railway | 1 |
| Porter | 1 |
| Private Army Hospital corps | 1 |
| Seaman | 1 |
| Tailoress | 1 |
| Wharf Lab | 1 |
| Wife | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 46 people were recorded with the Readon surname. That placed it at #27,188 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 14 in 2016. That gives Readon a modern rank of #37,178.
An English surname derived from the word "read", likely referring to someone with reddish hair.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Readon bearers relative to the surrounding population.
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.