Surname Redman - Meaning and Origin

Redman: What does the surname Redman mean?

The surname Redman is of Anglo-Saxon origin and is predominantly found in North-Western England. It is derived from the Old English words "read", which means red, and "mann", meaning man or person. It was typically given as a nickname to a person with red hair, rosy complexion or someone who often wore red clothing, denoting particular physical characteristics.

Like many surnames during the Middle Ages, individuals were often identified by their physical traits or profession, hence various spelling variations of the name occurred over time, including Reedman, Redmayne, and Redmaine. Historically, this surname has been associated with nobility, with a number of significant figures bearing it in medieval times. Despite its origins in the United Kingdom, migration and diffusion have since led to the noticeable presence of this surname in other parts of the world, largely in the United States, Canada, and Australia.

So, in summary, the surname Redman means 'a man who is red' in Old English, either in terms of having a reddish complexion, red hair, or perhaps frequently wearing red.

Redman: Where does the name Redman come from?

The surname Redman is most commonly found in the United Kingdom, especially in the western region. In the 1881 census, the most populous region was in Lancashire, followed by Cheshire and Yorkshire.

The Redman name is also common in the United States. It's particularly prominent in California and Texas. According to Ancestry.com, California and Texas have the most Redman surnames in the country.

In the United Kingdom, the Redman family name is still strong today, particularly in the northwest region. It's also present in other parts of England, Scotland, and Wales.

In the United States, the Redman family name is also present, especially in California, where it was first introduced by English immigrants in the late 19th century.

The Redman family name is now firmly embedded in the United States and the United Kingdom, but it’s still popular in other areas, including parts of Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.

Overall, the Redman family name is an ancient one that’s widely spread across the world. It has an interesting history, and there are still many Redmans living today who are proud to bear the name.

Variations of the surname Redman

The surname Redman is believed to have a number of variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. These names include Redmond, Redmon, Radman, Redmound, Readman, Reedman, and Redmund. This surname is primarily found in British Isles countries and it is believed to have originated from either the Old English or Old French words meaning ‘red haired man’.

The surname Redmond is the most common variant of the original surname Redman. This spelling of the name is most common in Ireland and Wales. It is believed to be a form of an Anglo-Norman French patronymic surname derived from the given name Reade, which is a variant of the name Rede.

The name Redmon is used mostly in Scotland and is believed to be an anglicization of the Gaelic personal name MacFhearghuis, or MacReamann, which is derived from the word ‘ream’ meaning ‘man’ or ‘servant’ in Old Gaelic.

Similarly, Readman is linked to the Old English name Reda and means ‘a red-haired man’. In the fifteenth century, this variant of the name was very common in Northumberland in the north of England.

The name Reedman is another variant of the Redman surname and is thought to be derived from the Middle English word ‘rewd’, which means ‘red’. This variant of the name is most commonly found in eastern England.

Finally, the surnames Redmound and Redmund are variants from the Old French words ‘rede’ and ‘mund’, which mean ‘protection’ and ‘handsome’ respectively. These variants are most commonly found in Scotland and Ireland.

Famous people with the name Redman

• Eric Redman: American entrepreneur and co-founder of the music streaming service, Rhapsody.
• Chaka Khan: American music icon and singer-songwriter born Yvette Marie Stevens, formerly known as Chaka Khan Redman.
• Donny Redman: American actor and producer, notable for roles in productions such as The Cosby Show, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, NYPD Blue, and Third Watch.
• Master P: American rapper, entrepreneur, and record executive born Percy Robert Miller, also known as Master P Redman.
• Langston Redman: English professional footballer who plays for the English Premier League club, Burnley F.C.
• Jo Redman: British television writer, notable for her contributions to series such as Doctor Who, The Queen’s Nose, and Grease Monkeys.
• Miles Redman: American musician and founder of the progressive band, Last of Three.
• Alexander Redman: former United States Navy admiral who served as Deputy Commander in Chief, U.S. European Command from 2002-2004.
• Redman (rapper): American rapper, record producer, and actor born Reggie Noble, the co-founder of record label Gilla House.
• Michael Redman: American actor and TV host, notable for roles in sitcoms such The Bill Engvall Show, According to Jim, and Young & Hungry.

Other surnames

RedmannRedmarRedmayne