NameCensus.

UK surname

Reeder

An occupational surname referring to a reader or one who advises or counsels.

In the 1881 census there were 811 people recorded with the Reeder surname, ranking it #4,607 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 1,525, ranked #4,061, up from #4,607 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Skipton, London parishes and Uphall. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include South Norfolk, Rotherham and Waveney.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Reeder is 1,618 in 2002. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 88.0%.

1881 census count

811

Ranked #4,607

Modern count

1,525

2016, ranked #4,061

Peak year

2002

1,618 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Reeder had 811 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #4,607 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 1,525 in 2016, ranked #4,061.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 1,241 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Reeder surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Reeder surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Reeder 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 659 #3,932
1861 historical 561 #4,697
1881 historical 811 #4,607
1891 historical 912 #4,525
1901 historical 1,104 #4,373
1911 historical 1,241 #3,817
1997 modern 1,535 #3,832
1998 modern 1,595 #3,854
1999 modern 1,602 #3,872
2000 modern 1,610 #3,831
2001 modern 1,561 #3,869
2002 modern 1,618 #3,810
2003 modern 1,592 #3,782
2004 modern 1,545 #3,897
2005 modern 1,538 #3,867
2006 modern 1,502 #3,959
2007 modern 1,502 #3,995
2008 modern 1,500 #4,032
2009 modern 1,502 #4,116
2010 modern 1,539 #4,109
2011 modern 1,545 #4,043
2012 modern 1,500 #4,084
2013 modern 1,554 #4,018
2014 modern 1,535 #4,098
2015 modern 1,533 #4,053
2016 modern 1,525 #4,061

Geography

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Where Reeders are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Skipton, London parishes, Uphall, Kettleston and Preston. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to South Norfolk, Rotherham and Waveney. 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 Skipton Yorkshire, West Riding
2 London parishes London 3
3 Uphall Linlithgow
4 Kettleston Norfolk
5 Preston Lancashire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 South Norfolk 011 South Norfolk
2 South Norfolk 012 South Norfolk
3 South Norfolk 015 South Norfolk
4 Rotherham 008 Rotherham
5 Waveney 004 Waveney

Forenames

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First names often paired with Reeder

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Reeder

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Reeder, 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 Reeder surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Rural Amenity, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Reeder 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

Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs

Group

London Fringe

Within London, Reeder is most associated with areas classed as London Fringe, part of Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs. 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

Predominantly located in neighbourhoods on the outskirts of Greater London, residents of these neighbourhoods typically have their highest qualifications below degree (Level 4) level, with those still in work engaged in skilled trades and occupations in distribution, hotels and restaurants. There is low ethnic diversity in these neighbourhoods and high levels of Christian religious affiliation. Detached or terraced houses predominate, often with spare rooms.

Wider London pattern

The age distribution of these neighbourhoods is skewed towards the middle-aged and old, although few residents live alone or in communal establishments and numbers of dependent children are around average. Owner occupation is the norm, as is residence in detached or semi-detached houses. Residential densities are low and many households have spare rooms. Most residents were born in the UK and, aside from some identifying as members of Chinese or Indian ethnicities, identify as White. Mixed ethnicity households are rare. Incidence of married couples is higher than average and few individuals have never been married. A large proportion of individuals still in employment work in administrative and secretarial occupations, or in the construction industry. Few residents are students, and many households own more than one car.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Reeder is most concentrated in decile 8 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the healthier end of the index.

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

8
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Reeder falls in decile 6 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname near the middle of the scale.

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

6
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Reeder is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 60-70 mbit/s.

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

9
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

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

Meaning and origin of Reeder

The surname Reeder is an English occupational surname derived from the Old English word "redere," meaning a thatcher or reed-cutter. It originated in the 12th century in various parts of England, particularly in regions where reed-cutting and thatching were common trades.

In the early 13th century, the name appeared in the Pipe Rolls of Berkshire, indicating its presence in that county during that time period. The Hundred Rolls of 1273 also recorded several individuals with the surname Reeder in various counties, such as Richard le Redere in Oxfordshire and John le Redere in Sussex.

The surname Reeder has been documented in various historical records throughout the centuries. For instance, in the 14th century, the name appeared in the Subsidy Rolls of Warwickshire, where a Thomas le Redere was listed as a taxpayer.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname Reeder can be found in the Feet of Fines for Essex, dated 1310, which mentions a John le Redere. Additionally, the Hertfordshire Assize Rolls of 1341 contained an entry for a William le Redere.

In the 16th century, the surname Reeder was sometimes spelled as "Reder" or "Redder." One notable individual from this period was Sir William Reder (c. 1545-1624), an English politician who served as a Member of Parliament for Middlesex.

Other notable individuals with the surname Reeder include Andrew Reeder (1807-1864), an American politician who served as the first governor of the Kansas Territory, and Rudolph Reeder (1872-1940), a German-American actor and director active in the early years of Hollywood.

In the literary world, the surname Reeder is associated with Rex Reeder (1914-1976), an American author and journalist who wrote several novels and non-fiction works. Another notable figure is Charles Reeder (1902-1974), an American physicist and academic who made significant contributions to the field of nuclear physics.

Overall, the surname Reeder has a rich history spanning several centuries and has been borne by individuals from various walks of life, including politicians, actors, authors, and scientists.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Reeder families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Reeder 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. Norfolk leads with 199 Reeders recorded in 1881 and an index of 16.34x.

County Total Index
Norfolk 199 16.34x
Middlesex 106 1.34x
Yorkshire 106 1.35x
Lancashire 84 0.89x
Suffolk 63 6.53x
Cambridgeshire 56 11.16x
West Lothian 27 22.64x
Essex 25 1.60x
Durham 24 1.02x
Nottinghamshire 19 1.78x
Surrey 18 0.47x
Derbyshire 12 0.97x
Lincolnshire 11 0.87x
Hampshire 10 0.62x
Northumberland 10 0.85x
Kent 9 0.33x
Sussex 8 0.60x
Lanarkshire 7 0.27x
Warwickshire 5 0.25x
Devon 3 0.18x
Cheshire 2 0.11x
Huntingdonshire 2 1.27x
Staffordshire 2 0.07x
Northamptonshire 1 0.13x
Oxfordshire 1 0.20x
Royal Navy 1 1.06x
Westmorland 1 0.57x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Skipton in Yorkshire leads with 29 Reeders recorded in 1881 and an index of 117.41x.

Place Total Index
Skipton 29 117.41x
Great Yarmouth 27 26.76x
Uphall 27 205.79x
Preston 24 9.54x
Fordham 21 648.15x
Isleham 20 434.78x
Lea Ashton Ingol 19 304.49x
Great Ellingham 17 949.72x
Mile End Old Town 15 12.00x
Shoreditch London 14 4.08x
East Dereham 13 84.47x
West Tofts 13 2549.02x
Lambeth 12 1.74x
Eston 11 64.37x
St Pancras London 11 1.73x
Heigham 10 15.30x
Holy Trinity 10 5.30x
Huddersfield 10 8.75x
Kings Lynn St Margaret 10 27.35x
Rumburgh 10 1030.93x
Westminster St 10 34.25x
Westoe 10 7.49x
Wingfield 10 793.65x
Wisbech St Peter 10 39.75x
Bethnal Green London 9 2.62x
Bow London 9 8.93x
Elvet 9 52.91x
Kimberworth 9 20.66x
Maldon St Peter 9 112.92x
Poplar London 9 6.02x
Tilney St Lawrence 9 459.18x
Brighton 8 2.97x
Hardwick 8 1481.48x
Nether Wyresdale 8 487.80x
Portsea 8 2.51x
Tynemouth 8 12.68x
Everton 7 393.26x
Fakenham 7 116.67x
Govan 7 1.10x
Gresham 7 679.61x
Kirkley 7 86.74x
St Marylebone London 7 1.66x
Staplehurst 7 157.66x
Alfreton 6 15.93x
Carleton Rode 6 285.71x
Kettlestone 6 1200.00x
Lound 6 504.20x
Norwich St John Sepulchre 6 75.95x
Sculcoates 6 4.82x
Skelton In Guisbrough 6 28.26x
Stanstead 6 461.54x
Aston 5 0.91x
Gringley On Hill 5 221.24x
Norwich St Peter 5 62.58x
Ribchester 5 140.85x
Saffron Walden 5 30.27x
South Elmham St Michael 5 1470.59x
Uggeshall 5 735.29x
Woodbridge 5 40.55x
Bridewell Precinct 4 625.00x
Clee With Weelsby 4 14.42x
Derby St Peter 4 10.13x
Fakenham Alethorpe 4 266.67x
Fishwick 4 68.85x
Gaywood 4 182.65x
Holbeck 4 7.69x
Kensington London 4 0.91x
Oswaldtwistle 4 12.04x
Thetford St Peter 4 125.00x
Woking 4 17.20x
Ardwick 3 3.54x
Elsing 3 283.02x
Keelby 3 149.25x
Manchester 3 0.71x
Saxlingham 3 789.47x
Southacre 3 1500.00x
Waltham Holy Cross 3 20.53x
Wath On Dearne 3 19.16x
Worlaby 3 189.87x
Worsbrough 3 13.04x

Top female names

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

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 55
John 45
George 39
James 33
Robert 19
Charles 17
Thomas 16
Henry 14
Edward 10
Herbert 10
Arthur 8
Joseph 8
Walter 8
Geo. 6
Alfred 5
Frederick 5
Stephen 5
Albert 4
David 4
Richard 4
Horace 3
Jonathan 3
Samuel 3
Christopher 2
Ferdinand 2
Francis 2
Fred 2
Harry 2
Jabez 2
Joe 2
R.W. 2
Abram 1
Arnold 1
Arther 1
Benjamin 1
Bertie 1
Bertram 1
Clifford 1
Edwd. 1
Ernest 1
Esau 1
F. 1
Frederic 1
Fredk. 1
Fredk.J. 1
Infant 1
Jacob 1
Jas. 1
Jhon 1
Wm.Henry 1

FAQ

Reeder surname: questions and answers

How common was the Reeder surname in 1881?

In 1881, 811 people were recorded with the Reeder surname. That placed it at #4,607 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Reeder surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 1,525 in 2016. That gives Reeder a modern rank of #4,061.

What does the Reeder surname mean?

An occupational surname referring to a reader or one who advises or counsels.

What does the Reeder map show?

The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Reeder 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.