UK surname
A variant of the English surname Reed, referring to someone who lived near reeds or marshland.
In the 1881 census there were 78 people recorded with the Reede surname, ranking it #22,500 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 21, ranked #36,596, down from #22,500 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Prestbury, Rochdale and Broadwater (incl. Worthing), Nuthurst. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Reede is 100 in 1891. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 73.1%.
1881 census count
78
Ranked #22,500
Modern count
21
2016, ranked #36,596
Peak year
1891
100 bearers
Map years
1
1891 to 1891
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Reede surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Reede surname density by area, 1891 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 | 62 | #22,232 |
| 1861 | historical | 66 | #25,487 |
| 1881 | historical | 78 | #22,500 |
| 1891 | historical | 100 | #24,045 |
| 1901 | historical | 57 | #27,846 |
| 1911 | historical | 72 | #25,642 |
| 1997 | modern | 12 | #36,785 |
| 1998 | modern | 14 | #36,565 |
| 1999 | modern | 15 | #36,476 |
| 2000 | modern | 13 | #36,635 |
| 2001 | modern | 12 | #36,612 |
| 2002 | modern | 14 | #36,484 |
| 2003 | modern | 12 | #36,715 |
| 2004 | modern | 13 | #36,742 |
| 2005 | modern | 14 | #36,730 |
| 2006 | modern | 16 | #36,601 |
| 2007 | modern | 18 | #36,537 |
| 2008 | modern | 21 | #36,355 |
| 2009 | modern | 26 | #36,111 |
| 2010 | modern | 26 | #36,220 |
| 2011 | modern | 26 | #36,193 |
| 2012 | modern | 24 | #36,288 |
| 2013 | modern | 21 | #36,561 |
| 2014 | modern | 21 | #36,577 |
| 2015 | modern | 21 | #36,574 |
| 2016 | modern | 21 | #36,596 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Prestbury, Rochdale, Broadwater (incl. Worthing), Nuthurst, Chesterton and Wem. 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 | Prestbury | Cheshire |
| 2 | Rochdale | Lancashire |
| 3 | Broadwater (incl. Worthing), Nuthurst | Sussex |
| 4 | Chesterton | Oxfordshire |
| 5 | Wem | Shropshire |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Reede 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 Reede, 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 Reede surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Reede 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, Reede 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 Reede is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Reede, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Reede finds its origins in England, dating back to the early medieval period. The name is primarily derived from the Old English word "rēad," meaning "red." It was a descriptive surname that likely referred to someone with red hair or a ruddy complexion. Similar spellings include Rede, Reade, and Read. The name has its earliest roots in counties like Suffolk and Norfolk, where Old English linguistic traditions had a significant influence.
One of the earliest references to the surname Reede appears in the Domesday Book, compiled in 1086. The Domesday Book records an individual named Roger the Red (Rogerus Rufus), establishing the presence of color-based surnames in England during the Norman period. By the 13th century, the surname began appearing in various forms in local records and manuscripts.
A notable early figure with the surname is Robert Reede, who served as Chief Justice of the Common Pleas from 1406 until his death in 1419. Born around 1350, he was a distinguished lawyer and a key legal figure during his time. The surname also appears in place names such as Reed in Hertfordshire, although this specific spelling variation may suggest different etymological origins.
In the 16th century, George Reede, born in 1530 and died in 1600, became a prominent figure. He was known for his contributions to literature and the arts during the Elizabethan era. His works are often referenced in historical records and served to elevate the prestige of the Reede surname during this time.
Moving into the 17th century, Sir John Reede, born in 1590 and died in 1650, gained recognition as a member of the English gentry. His landholdings in Suffolk were well-documented, reflecting the family's enduring influence in the region. He was also a patron of several local charitable institutions, which adds to the historical record of the Reede surname.
By the 19th century, another notable individual with the surname was William Reede, born in 1810 and died in 1870. He was an industrialist during the early stages of the Industrial Revolution in England. His contributions to the textile industry were significant, and his legacy includes several factories in Lancashire.
Throughout its history, the surname Reede has seen variations in spelling but has consistently been associated with English origins, particularly linked to the descriptive color term "red." Its presence in legal, literary, and industrial contexts reflects its longstanding significance across various domains.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Reede 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. Lancashire leads with 12 Reedes recorded in 1881 and an index of 1.36x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Lancashire | 12 | 1.36x |
| Glamorgan | 9 | 6.97x |
| Herefordshire | 8 | 26.32x |
| Sussex | 8 | 6.40x |
| Middlesex | 7 | 0.94x |
| Kent | 6 | 2.37x |
| Warwickshire | 5 | 2.67x |
| Gloucestershire | 4 | 2.75x |
| Staffordshire | 3 | 1.20x |
| Derbyshire | 2 | 1.72x |
| Hertfordshire | 2 | 3.91x |
| Oxfordshire | 2 | 4.37x |
| Buckinghamshire | 1 | 2.23x |
| Essex | 1 | 0.68x |
| Hampshire | 1 | 0.66x |
| Inverness-shire | 1 | 4.52x |
| Leicestershire | 1 | 1.22x |
| Somerset | 1 | 0.84x |
| Surrey | 1 | 0.28x |
| Yorkshire | 1 | 0.14x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Brighton in Sussex leads with 8 Reedes recorded in 1881 and an index of 31.73x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Brighton | 8 | 31.73x |
| Tonge | 8 | 432.43x |
| Whitchurch | 8 | 1142.86x |
| Woolhope | 8 | 4210.53x |
| Swingfield | 6 | 6000.00x |
| Birmingham | 5 | 8.03x |
| Newent | 4 | 540.54x |
| Hackney London | 3 | 7.22x |
| Glossop Dale | 2 | 36.83x |
| Hulme | 2 | 10.89x |
| Islington London | 2 | 2.78x |
| Kensington London | 2 | 4.85x |
| Little Hadham | 2 | 909.09x |
| Stoke Upon Trent | 2 | 7.54x |
| Wendlebury | 2 | 5000.00x |
| Aylesbury | 1 | 50.25x |
| Bentley Cum Arksey | 1 | 263.16x |
| Cardiff St John | 1 | 23.70x |
| Croydon | 1 | 4.99x |
| Danbury | 1 | 400.00x |
| Garston | 1 | 38.46x |
| Harborne | 1 | 12.47x |
| Holwell | 1 | 1428.57x |
| Inverness | 1 | 17.95x |
| Pemberton | 1 | 28.49x |
| Portsea | 1 | 3.36x |
| Walcot | 1 | 15.75x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Reede 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 Reede 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 Reede households.
FAQ
In 1881, 78 people were recorded with the Reede surname. That placed it at #22,500 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 21 in 2016. That gives Reede a modern rank of #36,596.
A variant of the English surname Reed, referring to someone who lived near reeds or marshland.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Reede 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.