Read is a surname of English origins.

Derivation

The name is most likely to derive from ''rēad,'' the

Anglo-Saxon The Anglo-Saxons were a Cultural identity, cultural group who inhabited England in the Early Middle Ages. They traced their origins to settlers who came to Britain from mainland Europe in the 5th century. However, the ethnogenesis of the Anglo- ...

(

Old English Old English (, ), or Anglo-Saxon, is the earliest recorded form of the English language, spoken in England and southern and eastern Scotland in the early Middle Ages. It was brought to Great Britain by Anglo-Saxon settlement of Britain, Anglo ...

) term for the colour red. As a name it is believed to have originally been descriptive of person's complexion or hair being

ruddy Ruddy is a reddish-rosy crimson colour, closer to red than to rose. Ruddy may also refer to: Surname *Albert S. Ruddy (born 1930), Canadian-born American film producer *Christopher Ruddy (born 1965), American journalist; CEO of NewsMax Media * ...

or red. Old English had spelling variants depending on dialect, ''rēad'' was the form in West Saxon, ''rēid'' was the spelling characteristic of

Northumbrian English The Northumbrian dialect refers to any of several English language varieties spoken in the traditional English region of Northumbria, which includes most of the North East England government region. The traditional Northumbrian dialect is a m ...

. This variation is probably fossilised in the modern name variants, Read and

Reid Reid is a surname of Scottish origin. It means "red". People with the surname * Alan Reid (disambiguation) * Alex Reid (disambiguation), includes Alexander Reid * Amanda Reid, Australian Paralympic athlete * Amanda Reid (taxonomist), Australia ...

. There is a settlement in

Lancashire Lancashire ( , ; abbreviated Lancs) is the name of a historic county, ceremonial county, and non-metropolitan county in North West England. The boundaries of these three areas differ significantly. The non-metropolitan county of Lancashi ...

called

Read Read Read may refer to: * Reading, human cognitive process of decoding symbols in order to construct or derive meaning * Read (automobile), an American car manufactured from 1913 to 1915 * Read (biology), an inferred sequence of base pairs of ...

, the name deriving from an Old English term meaning roe

eer EER may refer to: * East of England Regiment, a British Army Reserve unit * Effective exchange rate * Energy efficiency rating in the Australian Capital Territory * Energy efficiency ratio, of a cooling device * Engineering education research * En ...

headland, this may also account for some Read surnames.

Historical use

As a personal name a grammatical form of Read, Reada, was used at the earliest stages of English history. The English town of

Reading Reading is the process of taking in the sense or meaning of Letter (alphabet), letters, symbols, etc., especially by Visual perception, sight or Somatosensory system, touch. For educators and researchers, reading is a multifaceted process invo ...

on the River Thames derives its name from a very early English tribal or community group called the

Readingas The Readingas (Old English ''Rēadingas'') were a tribe or clan of early Anglo-Saxon England whose capital was Reading; their territory formed a '' regio'' or administrative subdivision of the early Kingdom of Wessex. The area of the Readingas adjo ...

. The Readingas appear to have been named after a chieftain called Reada, "The Red One," with the addition of the element ''-ingas'' meaning "the people of." The first written use of the name is that of a Leofwine se Reade (Leofwine the Red), in the time of King

Canute Cnut (; ang, Cnut cyning; non, Knútr inn ríki ; or , no, Knut den mektige, sv, Knut den Store. died 12 November 1035), also known as Cnut the Great and Canute, was King of England from 1016, King of Denmark from 1018, and King of Norway ...

, dating to 1016–1020. However, this usage would have been as a descriptive by-name as inherited family surnames had not yet become established. A variant spelling is found in the person of Godwin le Rede, recorded in Norfolk in 1273, and a Thomas Read is recorded in 1327; their use of the name would have been as a heritable surname.Reany, P.H. and Wilson, R.M. (1991) ''A Dictionary of English Surnames'', Routledge. A Read family was prominent in early American history,

George Read George Read may refer to: * George Reade (colonial governor) (1608–1671), politician, judge, and Acting Governor of Virginia Colony * George Read (American politician, born 1733) (1733–1798), lawyer, signer of Declaration of Independence and U ...

of Delaware was signatory to the Declaration of Independence and US Constitution.

People

This name is attributed to these notable figures and is included in the names of the following articles:

Politics and government

Almon Heath Read Almon Heath Read (June 12, 1790 – June 3, 1844) was an American politician who served as a Democratic member of the U.S. House of Representatives for Pennsylvania's 17th congressional district from 1842 to 1843 and Pennsylvania's 12th congress ...

(1790–1844), lawyer and U.S. Representative from Pennsylvania *

George Read (Alberta politician) George Read, within the politics of Canada, is the former leader of the Alberta Greens and formerly a key organizer for the federal Green Party of Canada (GPC) in Alberta. Green Party organizing Read led the provincial and federal Green Par ...

, politician and party leader from Alberta *

George Read (Ontario politician) George Read (August 13, 1819 – March 29, 1903) was an Ontario businessman and political figure. He represented Peterborough East in the Legislative Assembly of Ontario as a Conservative member from 1867 to 1874. He was born in Augusta To ...

, (1819 – after 1874), businessman and Member of Parliament from Ontario *

George Read (U.S. statesman) George Read (September 18, 1733 – September 21, 1798) was an American politician from New Castle in New Castle County, Delaware. He was a Continental Congressman from Delaware, a delegate to the U.S. Constitutional Convention of 1787, preside ...

(1733–1798), lawyer, signer of Declaration of Independence and U.S. Senator from Delaware * George Read, Jr. (1765–1836), lawyer, son of George Read, Sr., U.S. Attorney for the state of Delaware *

Jacob Read Jacob Read (1752 – July 17, 1816) was an American lawyer and politician from Charleston, South Carolina. He represented South Carolina in both the Continental Congress (1783–1785) and the United States Senate (1795–1801). Biography Read ...

(1752–1816), lawyer and U.S. Senator from South Carolina *

John Erskine Read John Erskine Read, (July 5, 1888 – December 23, 1973) was a Canadian lawyer, civil servant, and the only Canadian judge elected to the International Court of Justice. Education Born in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Read graduated from the Dalhousi ...

(1888–1973), lawyer and international jurist from Canada *

John Kingsley Read John is a common English name and surname: * John (given name) * John (surname) John may also refer to: New Testament Works * Gospel of John, a title often shortened to John * First Epistle of John, often shortened to 1 John * Second E ...

(1937–1985), politician from the United Kingdom * John Milton Read (1842–1881), American politician *

John M. Read John Meredith Read Sr. (July 21, 1797 – November 29, 1874) was an American lawyer, jurist, and politician from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He was one of the founders of the Republican Party and chief justice of the Pennsylvania Supreme Court. ...

(1797–1874), lawyer and jurist from Pennsylvania *

Mel Read Imelda Mary Read (born 8 January 1939), known as Mel Read, is a British politician who served in the European Parliament. Read was educated at Bishopshalt Grammar School and the University of Nottingham, before becoming a laboratory technici ...

, politician and member of the E.U. Parliament from the United Kingdom *

Nathan Read Nathan Read (July 2, 1759 – January 20, 1849) was an American engineer and steam pioneer. Nathan Read was the true inventor of the high-pressure steam engine in 1789, this was twelve years before the steam-engine was known to be used in th ...

(1759–1849), teacher and U.S. Representative from Massachusetts * William T. Read (1878–1954), lawyer, President of the

New Jersey Senate The New Jersey Senate was established as the upper house of the New Jersey Legislature by the Constitution of 1844, replacing the Legislative Council. There are 40 legislative districts, representing districts with an average population of 232, ...

, and Treasurer of New Jersey

Military and naval

Abner Read Abner Read (1821–1863) was an officer of the United States Navy who distinguished himself in the American Civil War. He died of injuries sustained while patrolling the Mississippi River, in command of the . At the time of his death, he had att ...

(1821–1863), U.S. naval officer *

Albert Cushing Read Albert Cushing Read, Sr. (March 29, 1887 – October 10, 1967) was an aviator and Rear Admiral in the United States Navy. He and his crew made the first transatlantic flight in the ''NC-4'', a Curtiss NC flying boat. Early life and Atlantic c ...

(1887–1967), aviator and U.S. naval admiral * Anketell M. Read (1884–1915), English recipient of the Victoria Cross * Charles Read (1840–1890), U.S. and Confederate naval officer *

George C. Read George Campbell Read (January 9, 1788August 22, 1862) was a United States Naval officer who served on Old Ironsides during the War of 1812 and commanded vessels in actions off the Barbary Coast and India. Read eventually rose to the rank of r ...

, (1788–1862), sailor and American Rear-Admiral *

George E. Read George E. Read (1838–1910) was an American sailor who received the Medal of Honor for valor in action during the American Civil War. Biography Read was born in Rhode Island in 1838. On June 19, 1864, he served as a Seaman on the sloop of war ...

, (1838–1910), sailor and American Medal of Honor recipient

Entertainment

Al Read Alfred Read (3 March 1909 – 9 September 1987) was a British radio comedian active throughout the 1950s and 1960s. Originally a businessman, he has been described as highly influential on British comedy. Early life Read was born in Brought ...

(1909–1987), English comedian *

Anthony Read Anthony Read (21 April 1935 – 21 November 2015) was an English television producer, screenwriter, script editor and author. He was principally active in British television from the 1960s to the mid-1980s, which included a period as a script ...

, English scriptwriter and editor *

Howard Read Howard Oliver Drinkwater Read is a British screenwriter, comedian, and animator best known for his work with his animated sidekick, Little Howard. His other creations include an angry manager with a conversational style and the worldview of Bern ...

, British comedian *

James Read James Christopher Read (born July 31, 1953) is an American actor. He played the role of George Hazard in the ''North and South'' television miniseries, and had a recurring role as Victor Bennett on the supernatural series ''Charmed'' between 2 ...

(born 1953), American television actor * John D. Read, English singer-songwriter *

Mike Read Michael David Kenneth Read (born 1 March 1947) is an English radio disc jockey, writer, journalist and television presenter. Read has been a broadcaster since 1976, best known for having been a DJ with BBC Radio 1, and television host for musi ...

(born 1951), British disc jockey and TV presenter

Academics and literature

* Allen W. Read (1906–2002), American etymologist and lexicographer *

Benedict Read Benedict William Read, BA, FSA (26 March 1945 – 20 October 2016) was an English art historian. Usually known as Ben Read, he was the author of numerous books, essays and articles on nineteenth and twentieth century art history, and was one ...

(born 1945), English art historian *

Chopper Read Chopper may refer to: Arts and entertainment * ''Chopper'' (comics), a horror comic book mini-series * ''Chopper'' (film), a 2000 Australian film by and about Mark "Chopper" Read * Chopper (''Judge Dredd''), a character in British comics anth ...

(1954–2013), Australian criminal and author *

Conyers Read Conyers Read (April 25, 1881 – December 24, 1959) was an American historian who specialized in the History of England in the 15th and 16th centuries. A professor of history at the universities of Chicago and Pennsylvania, he was president of th ...

(1881–1959), American historian *

Daniel Read Daniel Read (November 16, 1757 – December 4, 1836) was an American composer of the First New England School, and one of the primary figures in early American classical music. Life and work Read, along with his contemporaries William Billin ...

(1757–1836), American composer *

Elizabeth Fisher Read Elizabeth Fisher Read (1872 – December 13, 1943) was a scholar and Women's Suffrage activist, and one of Eleanor Roosevelt's most dear friends. Early life Elizabeth Fisher Read was born in New Brighton, Pennsylvania, in 1872. She graduated fro ...

(1872–1943), scholar and Women's Suffrage activist * Florence M. Read, college president *

Gardner Read Gardner Read (January 2, 1913 in Evanston, Illinois – November 10, 2005 in Manchester-by-the-Sea, Massachusetts) was an American composer and musical scholar. His first musical studies were in piano and organ, and she also took lessons in coun ...

(1913–2005), American composer * Sir

Herbert Read Sir Herbert Edward Read, (; 4 December 1893 – 12 June 1968) was an English art historian, poet, literary critic and philosopher, best known for numerous books on art, which included influential volumes on the role of art in education. Read ...

(1893–1968), English poet * Sir

Hercules Read Sir Charles Hercules Read (6 July 1857 – 11 February 1929) was a British archaeologist and curator who became Keeper of British and Mediaeval Antiquities and Ethnography at the British Museum, and President of the Society of Antiquaries of L ...

(1857–1929), British archaeologist and curator at the British Museum *

Jane Maria Read Jane Maria Read (October 4, 1853 – ?) was an American poet and teacher. Early life and education Jane Maria Read was born in Barnstable, Massachusetts, October 4, 1853. She was the daughter of William and Susan Maritta (Austin) Read. Her father ...

(1853–?), American poet, artist, teacher *

Leonard Read Leonard Edward Read (September 26, 1898 – May 14, 1983) was the founder of the Foundation for Economic Education (FEE), one of the first free market think tanks in the United States. He wrote 29 books and numerous essays, including the well-k ...

(1898–1983), American think tank founder *

Miss Read Dora Jessie Saint Order of the British Empire, MBE (17 April 1913 – 7 April 2012), née Shafe, best known by the pen name Miss Read, was an English novelist and, by profession, a Schoolmaster, schoolmistress. Her pseudonym was derived from her ...

(1913–2012) the pen name of Dora Jessie Saint (from her mother's maiden name), British author *

Opie Read Opie may refer to: *Opie (name), a list of people and fictional characters with the given name, nickname, or surname * Acronyms OPIE: ** OPIE (Entomology) (''Office pour l'Information Eco-entomologique''), a French government organisation devoted t ...

(1852–1939), American journalist and humorist * Piers P. Read (born 1941), British novelist and non-fiction author * Ronald K. Read (1887–1975) English developer of Quikscript, an alphabet *

Richard Read Richard Read (born 1957) is a freelance reporter based in Seattle, where he was a national reporter and bureau chief for the Los Angeles Times from 2019 to 2021. A two-time Pulitzer Prize winner, he was a senior writer and foreign correspondent for ...

(born 1957), American journalist * Thomas B. Read (1822–1872), American poet

Business and industry

Ian Read Ian C. Read (born 1953) is a Scottish-born American business executive and a chartered accountant, serving as executive chairman of pharmaceutical company Pfizer. He was succeeded as CEO by Albert Bourla on 1 January 2019, becoming executive ch ...

, executive for Pfizer *

Nic Read Nic Read is a bestselling business author, researcher and award-winning educator. Biography Read's roles inside companies and as an external consultant have placed him on the front lines of globalization and market disruption to research, analy ...

, executive in business, publishing and education

Science and technology

Carveth Read Carveth Read (1848–1931) was a 19th- and 20th-century British philosopher and logician. Life He was born 16 March 1848 in Falmouth, Cornwall, England. He was the third son of Edward Read and Elizabeth Truscott. He attended the University o ...

(1848–1931), British philosopher and logician * Charles Read (1958–2015), British mathematician *

Herbert Harold Read Herbert Harold Read FRS, FRSE, FGS, (17 December 1889, in Whitstable – 29 March 1970) was a British geologist and Professor of Geology at Imperial College. From 1947-1948 he was president of the Geological Society. Life He was born at W ...

(1889–1970), British geologist

Sports

Charles Read (squash player) Charles Richard Read (1 March 1889 – date of death unknown) was a professional squash player from England, where professional squash began in 1907. Read was based at the Queen's Club in London, and beat C. Bannister of the Bath Club 15–5, 15� ...

(

fl. ''Floruit'' (; abbreviated fl. or occasionally flor.; from Latin for "they flourished") denotes a date or period during which a person was known to have been alive or active. In English, the unabbreviated word may also be used as a noun indicatin ...

1920s), English *

Chris Read Christopher Mark Wells Read (born 10 August 1978) is an English former cricketer who was the captain of Nottinghamshire County Cricket Club. He played for the England cricket team in 15 Tests and 36 ODIs. He was a wicket-keeper. Personal life ...

(born 1978), English cricketer * Glen Read (born 1981), English cricketer *

Hopper Read Holcombe Douglas "Hopper" Read (28 January 1910 – 5 January 2000) was an English cricketer who played in one Test cricket, Test in 1935. Biography Read, who received his nickname from the eccentric leap in his long run-up was regarded as the ...

(1910–2000), English cricketer *

Ken Read Kenneth John Read (born November 6, 1955) is one of the most respected sport leaders in Canada. This World Cup alpine ski racer from Canada was a specialist in the downhill and a two-time Olympian. He won five World Cup races during his ten-year ...

(born 1955), Canadian skier *

Kieran Read Kieran James Read (born 26 October 1985) is a New Zealand former rugby union player. He played as a number 8 and is a former captain of the New Zealand national team, the All Blacks. Read played for New Zealand from 2008 to 2019. He is one of ...

(born 1985), New Zealand rugby player * Leilani Read (1973–1999), New Zealand and Samoan netball player *

Matt Read Matthew Zachary Jarrett Read (born June 14, 1986) is a Canadian professional ice hockey player who is currently an unrestricted free agent. He most recently played for the Toronto Marlies of the American Hockey League (AHL). He previously played ...

(born 1986), Canadian hockey player *

Maurice Read John Maurice Read (9 February 1859 – 17 February 1929 in Winchester, Hampshire) was an English professional cricketer. Harry Altham wrote of him in ''A History of Cricket'', "Maurice Read had been recognised as a dashing player up to Test mat ...

(1859–1929), English cricketer *

Phil Read Phillip William Read, (1 January 1939 – 6 October 2022) was an English professional motorcycle racer. He competed in Grand Prix motorcycle racing from 1961 to 1976. Read is notable for being the first competitor to win world championships ...

(1939–2022), English motorcycle racer *

Reg Read Reginald John Read (8 June 1886 – 1 March 1974) was a New Zealand medium-pace bowler who played first-class cricket for Canterbury from 1904–05 to 1937–38. Playing career Read made his first-class debut in Christchurch against the Austr ...

(1886–1974), New Zealand cricketer * Tommy Read, English footballer * Trevor Read (born 1980), Canadian ice hockey defenceman *

Walter Read Walter William Read (born 23 November 1855 in Reigate, Surrey, died 6 January 1907 in Addiscombe Park, Surrey) was an English cricketer. A fluent right hand bat, he was also an occasional bowler of lobs who sometimes switched to quick overa ...

(1855–1907), English cricketer

Other

* Blue Tulip Rose Read, English stalker *

Deborah Read Deborah Read Franklin ( 1708 – December 19, 1774) was the common-law wife of Benjamin Franklin, polymath and one of the Founding Fathers of the United States. Early years Little is known about Read's early life. She was born around 1708, ...

(1708–1774), the wife of Benjamin Franklin *

Gabriel Read Thomas Gabriel Read (21 August 182531 October 1894) was a gold prospector and farmer. His discovery of gold in Gabriel's Gully triggered the first major gold rush in New Zealand. Life Read was born on 21 August 1825 in Tasmania, Australia. Th ...

, Australian gold prospector * John D. Read (1814–1864), American abolitionist *

Mary Read Mary Read (1685 – 28 April 1721), also known as Mark Read, was an English pirate. She and Anne Bonny were two famous female pirates from the 18th century, and among the few women known to have been convicted of piracy at the height of the " ...

(c. 1690–1721), English pirate *

Nicholas Read (sculptor) Nicholas Read (c.1733–1787) was an 18th-century English sculptor. He was the only apprentice that Roubiliac ever accepted. His masterpiece is the large and highly odd monument to Admiral Richard Tyrell in Westminster Abbey. Life Read was ...

(d.1787) English sculptor * Read, the family surname of the titular character in

Arthur Arthur is a common male given name of Brittonic languages, Brythonic origin. Its popularity derives from it being the name of the legendary hero King Arthur. The etymology is disputed. It may derive from the Celtic ''Artos'' meaning “Bear”. An ...

Disambiguation

* Alexander Read (disambiguation)

Notes

{{Red-surname English-language surnames Surnames from nicknames