UK surname
An English surname derived from a nickname for someone with red hair or a ruddy complexion.
In the 1881 census there were 77 people recorded with the Redd surname, ranking it #22,617 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 64, ranked #34,098, down from #22,617 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to London parishes, St Decuman, Nettlecombe, Old Cleeve, Kilton, Lilstock, Dodington, Stringston, Holford and Bishops Nympton. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Redd is 202 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 16.9%.
1881 census count
77
Ranked #22,617
Modern count
64
2016, ranked #34,098
Peak year
1861
202 bearers
Map years
4
1861 to 1911
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Redd surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Redd surname density by area, 1911 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 | 67 | #21,440 |
| 1861 | historical | 202 | #11,906 |
| 1881 | historical | 77 | #22,617 |
| 1891 | historical | 185 | #15,803 |
| 1901 | historical | 143 | #18,570 |
| 1911 | historical | 166 | #16,756 |
| 1997 | modern | 66 | #31,038 |
| 1998 | modern | 61 | #31,841 |
| 1999 | modern | 60 | #32,078 |
| 2000 | modern | 46 | #33,458 |
| 2001 | modern | 42 | #33,658 |
| 2002 | modern | 46 | #33,631 |
| 2003 | modern | 46 | #33,710 |
| 2004 | modern | 45 | #33,957 |
| 2005 | modern | 45 | #34,160 |
| 2006 | modern | 46 | #34,415 |
| 2007 | modern | 46 | #34,634 |
| 2008 | modern | 44 | #34,865 |
| 2009 | modern | 53 | #34,481 |
| 2010 | modern | 52 | #34,726 |
| 2011 | modern | 54 | #34,563 |
| 2012 | modern | 54 | #34,608 |
| 2013 | modern | 57 | #34,538 |
| 2014 | modern | 61 | #34,343 |
| 2015 | modern | 60 | #34,361 |
| 2016 | modern | 64 | #34,098 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around London parishes, St Decuman, Nettlecombe, Old Cleeve, Kilton, Lilstock, Dodington, Stringston, Holford, Bishops Nympton, Lambeth and St John Hackney. 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 | London parishes | London 3 |
| 2 | St Decuman, Nettlecombe, Old Cleeve, Kilton, Lilstock, Dodington, Stringston, Holford | Somerset |
| 3 | Bishops Nympton | Devon |
| 4 | Lambeth | London (South Districts) |
| 5 | St John Hackney | London (North Districts) |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Redd 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 Redd, 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 Redd surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Redd 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, Redd 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 Redd is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Redd, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Redd is of English origin, and it can be traced back to the Middle Ages. It is believed to have derived from the Old English word "read," which means "red" or "ruddy," referring to someone with red hair or a ruddy complexion.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname Redd can be found in the Pipe Rolls of Sussex from 1195, where a certain William Redd is mentioned. This suggests that the name was already in use by the late 12th century in England.
In the 13th century, the surname appeared in various forms such as Rede, Reade, and Reed, indicating the variations in spelling that were common during that time. The Hundred Rolls of 1275 mention a John le Rede from Oxfordshire, and the Subsidy Rolls of Sussex from 1296 list a Thomas Rede.
The Domesday Book, a remarkable survey of land and property commissioned by William the Conqueror in 1086, does not contain any direct references to the surname Redd. However, it does mention several individuals with the given name "Redwald," which may have served as a precursor to the later surname.
One notable figure from history who bore the surname Redd was Sir Robert Redd (c. 1510-1587), an English judge and politician who served as Lord Chief Justice of the Common Pleas during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I.
Another prominent individual was Sir Bartholomew Redd (c. 1560-1628), an English merchant and entrepreneur who played a significant role in the early colonization efforts of Virginia. He was part of the Virginia Company and helped finance the establishment of the Jamestown Colony.
In the literary world, William Redd (1676-1727) was an English poet and playwright known for his satirical works and collaborations with other notable writers of the time, such as Jonathan Swift.
During the American Revolutionary War, George Redd (1738-1813) served as a colonel in the Continental Army and fought in several major battles, including the Battle of Long Island and the Battle of Monmouth.
Lastly, Mary Redd (1846-1922) was an American educator and activist who dedicated her life to promoting education for African American children in the post-Civil War era, establishing numerous schools and educational institutions in the South.
These examples illustrate the historical presence and prominence of the Redd surname across different fields and eras, from law and politics to literature, military service, and education.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Redd 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. Hertfordshire leads with 20 Redds recorded in 1881 and an index of 43.75x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Hertfordshire | 20 | 43.75x |
| Middlesex | 14 | 2.11x |
| Somerset | 13 | 12.18x |
| Surrey | 6 | 1.86x |
| Kent | 5 | 2.21x |
| Devon | 3 | 2.17x |
| Gloucestershire | 3 | 2.31x |
| Durham | 1 | 0.51x |
| Lancashire | 1 | 0.13x |
| Warwickshire | 1 | 0.60x |
| Yorkshire | 1 | 0.15x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Hackney London in Middlesex leads with 13 Redds recorded in 1881 and an index of 34.97x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Hackney London | 13 | 34.97x |
| Ickleford | 10 | 7692.31x |
| Graveley | 8 | 8888.89x |
| St Decumans Watchet | 7 | 2592.59x |
| Lambeth | 6 | 10.38x |
| Deptford St Paul | 5 | 28.65x |
| Old Cleeve | 5 | 1315.79x |
| Bristol St Augustine | 3 | 142.86x |
| Stevenage | 2 | 281.69x |
| Bideford | 1 | 67.57x |
| Bishopwearmouth | 1 | 5.91x |
| Burrington | 1 | 1000.00x |
| Coventry St Michael | 1 | 18.62x |
| East Stonehouse | 1 | 36.76x |
| Great Houghton | 1 | 1250.00x |
| Hampstead London | 1 | 9.68x |
| Salford | 1 | 4.32x |
| Stokeinteignhead | 1 | 666.67x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Redd 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 Redd 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 Redd households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| Scholar | 10 |
| Ag Lab | 5 |
| General Servant | 3 |
| Laborer Farm | 3 |
| Dressmaker | 2 |
| Laundress | 2 |
| Straw Plater | 2 |
| Arrand Boy | 1 |
| Brickmaker | 1 |
| Builder | 1 |
| Carter | 1 |
| Charwoman | 1 |
| Engine Driver (Ry) | 1 |
| Farm Baliff | 1 |
| Farm Baliff Wife | 1 |
| Formerly Bootbinder | 1 |
| Gardner (Dom) | 1 |
| General Servant Domestic | 1 |
| Grocers Assistant | 1 |
| Gut Skin Dresser | 1 |
| House Duties | 1 |
| Ironmonger | 1 |
| Lather & Caster (Plasterer) | 1 |
| Master Mariner (MS) | 1 |
| Paper Hanger | 1 |
| Railway Engine Driver | 1 |
| Surgeon | 1 |
| Tailoress | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 77 people were recorded with the Redd surname. That placed it at #22,617 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 64 in 2016. That gives Redd a modern rank of #34,098.
An English surname derived from a nickname for someone with red hair or a ruddy complexion.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Redd 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.