The Reed Coat of Arms and Name Meaning
Discover the meaning of Reed, its origins in England, and the story behind a Reed family crest.
Order your pack and our heraldry team researches and paints the Reed coat of arms for you.
Origin of the Reed name
Reed is an English nickname for someone with red hair or a ruddy face, from Old English read, "red". It may also be a topographic name for someone living in a clearing or by reeds. The surname is common across England and the United States.
Our historical archives hold much more on the Reed name: dates, names and records of early bearers.
This overview covers the Reed name in England. We also hold records of the name in other countries, such as the United States, Australia and Canada; your full pack is researched for your family's country of origin.
Get your full Reed family history
The complete Reed pack goes much further: documented origins, early records and family spread, plus a hand-checked coat of arms.
Reed name FAQ
What does the Reed name mean?
Red-haired. Common variants include Read, Reid, Reade.
Where does the Reed surname come from?
It originates in England, and is also found in the United States, Australia and Canada.
Is there a Reed coat of arms?
Arms were granted to individuals, not whole surnames, so there is no single Reed crest. Herald Lab paints a personalized Reed coat of arms based on historic heraldry.
Researched by Herald Lab Research Studio, since 1993. Sources: Reaney & Wilson, Dictionary of English Surnames; Dictionary of American Family Names (Oxford); US Census Bureau 2010.