Surname Red - Meaning and Origin

Red: What does the surname Red mean?

The surname Red most likely originated from a nickname for someone with red hair or a ruddy complexion. It’s derived from the Old English word "read," which means red. It possibly also evolved from native Gaelic, British, and Irish personal names that had "red" as a component. Another potential origin is from a location name, like Reed in Aberdeenshire, which came from the Old English "ryd," denoting a clearing. The usage of colors as surnames was a common practice in medieval times. It’s important to note that the spelling and pronunciation of surnames have evolved over centuries, thus the modern form may look quite different from the original. The varied spellings of the surname include Reed, Reid, Read, Redd, and others. Despite these different spellings, they are all essentially derived from the root meaning of "red."

Red: Where does the name Red come from?

The last name Red is most commonly found in the United States and Canada. It is most common in the northeastern regions of the United States, including New England and surrounding states like New York, Pennsylvania, and Virginia. It is also found more frequently throughout the Midwest, especially in states like Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Illinois.

The last name Red originated in England, and can be found in areas of the country with a strong Anglo-Saxon ancestry. It has a strong presence in the United Kingdom, particularly in England, where it originated, as well as Scotland and Ireland.

It can also be found in Central and South America. In Mexico, it is seen more frequently along the Gulf Coast, in states like Veracruz and Nayarit. It is also found in the Caribbean Islands, with a presence in the Dominican Republic and Jamaica.

The last name Red is also seen in various parts of Europe, especially in countries like Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Germany, Poland, Russia, and Italy. It is also seen in the Netherlands, France, Belgium, Austria, Switzerland, Spain, and Hungary.

Throughout the world, the last name Red is one of the most common,- seen in almost every continent.

Variations of the surname Red

Red is a surname of multiple origins. It can be derived from a nickname for someone with red hair, from the Old English word read meaning "red" or from various place names. There could also be variants of Red that are spellings or surnames of the same origin.

Variants

The following are variants of the surname Red:

• Reid

• Reade

• Reed

• Reeds

• Reith

• Replogle

• Reyd

• Reyds

• Rhea

• Rheade

• Rid

• Ridd

• Ridde

• Riddell

• Riddle

• Ride

• Ried

• Rieds

• Riedes

• Rideout

• Riedschlag

• Reidy

• Revoir

Spellings

The following are alternative spellings of the surname Red:

• Rede

• Redde

• Redd

• Rad

• Radd

• Read

• Reade

• Reyd

Surnames of the same origin

The following are surnames that can be connected to the same origin as the surname Red, such as someone with red hair:

• Readman

• Reeder

• Redman

• Reddish

• Redpath

• Redshaw

• Reddington

• Readhead

• Redfern

• Reddick

• Redfern

• Redmayne

• Redfern

• Reddington

• Redhead

• Redding

• Redden

• Redawn

• Redington

• Redcomb

• Redd

• Reddington

Famous people with the name Red

• Red Grange: former American football player who was inducted in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1963.
• Red Skelton: American comedian and actor.
• Red Cloud: Oglala Lakota war leader and statesman.
• Red Barber: sportscaster who worked for the Brooklyn Dodgers, Cincinnati Reds, and the New York Yankees.
• Sophia Red: Irish singer, songwriter, and former lead vocalist for The Graces.
• Red Hat: Navajo medicine man and healer.
• Red Foley: country singer and member of the Country Music Hall of Fame.
• Red Auerbach: NBA coach and executive for the Boston Celtics: inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1969.
• Red Mckenzie: jazz singer and comedian who was one of the first recording artists for the Decca label.
• Red Holzman: NBA coach and executive: inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1986.

Other surnames

ReddReddickReddicksReddiexReddigReddingReddingiusReddisReddittReddochReddockReddyRedeRedeckeRedeckerRedegeldRedegeltRedekeRedekerRedepennigRedepenningRedepfenningRederRedereRedermacherRedfordRedickRedingRedinger