Surname Reedy - Meaning and Origin

Unraveling the Unexpected Twists of the Reedy Lineage through an iGENEA DNA Test

Imagine believing your roots are primarily North American, and suddenly discovering a deep connection to regions you’ve never considered part of your ancestry. That's what happened when I took the iGENEA DNA test. The results were unexpected, unravelling the complexity behind the Reedy surname. From finding surprising East European origins to discovering West Asian descent and unexpected occupational exposures - the test not only expanded my understanding of my heritage but also revealed surprising hereditary health predispositions.

C. Reedy

Reedy: What does the surname Reedy mean?

The last name Reedy is of British origin and was historically used to refer to individuals who lived in or near marshy reed beds. It is considered a topographic surname, which were the earliest form of hereditary surnames in Britain derived due to natural and man-made features of the landscape. The name is derived from Old English "hrēod" or Middle English "red" both of which mean reed. Therefore, the surname Reedy originally meant "dweller by the reeds". It is related to the Old English term "risc" which means area overgrown with rushes, hence serving as an occupational surname for thatchers. Surnames like Reedy were used to distinguish individuals by personal characteristics, occupation, geographic location, clan affiliviation, patronage and others. Although it is found in many parts of the world today, it is particularly common in Ireland, England and the United States. Despite its common associations, its frequency and distribution vary in different regions, reflecting native linguistic influence and historical migration patterns.

Reedy: Where does the name Reedy come from?

The last name Reedy is most commonly found in the United States and Ireland. In the United States, the majority of the Reedy population is found in the Great Lakes region, with a significant portion living in Indiana and Ohio. In Ireland, Reedy is most commonly found in the counties of Antrim and Down in Northern Ireland, particularly around Belfast.

The Reedy surname was first recorded in Ireland in the 1630s, where it can be linked to the Irish Mac Raghnaill sept (clan) of County Antrim. This Celtic name is derived from the Gaelic words “ragha” meaning “king” and “naill” meaning “valor”, and translates to “valiant king”. The sept held estates throughout the area and the name can be found in a number of place-names in this region such as Reedyford and Reedy Water.

In recent years, the Reedy surname has spread out around the world, with the United States holding the largest population of Reedys outside of Ireland. There are also significant Reedy populations in the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa.

In all, it is estimated that around 34,000 people carry the Reedy surname today.

Variations of the surname Reedy

The surname Reedy has many variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. All of the variations are derived from the Gaelic surname meaning “of a red complexion”.

Variations of the surname Reedy include Reed, Reade, Read, Reid, Reith, Ried, Ryed and Riet. Riet is a Dutch variation of the name. Other variations include Readey, Readdy, Readdy, Readie, Reidy, Riedy, Reidie, and Reedie.

Other surnames of the same origin include MacReedy, MacReede, McReedy, Vore, Fox, Rakestraw, Ritchie, McDade and McDadey.

Many of the variants of Reedy have similar spellings, or simply an extra letter, such as the popular spelling Reidy. However, many of the surnames of the same origin are completely different, such as Rakestraw, Fox, or McDadey.

The surname Reedy is an ancient name, and can be found in many historical documents dating back centuries. It is believed to have originated in the North of England during the Middle Ages.

The surname is found all over the world, with the most common spelling being Reidy. It is also one of the 51 most common surnames in Ireland.

No matter the variation, the Reedy family name still carries a meaning of red complexion and a proud heritage of many centuries.

Famous people with the name Reedy

• Jordan Reedy: Actress and model known for roles in films such as “From Here to Eternity” and “The Babymakers”
• Jim Reedy: Former professional American football running back
• Mary T Reedy: Author and professor of American literature
• Michael Reedy: Voice actor who provided the voice of Forxonto the Hoppogriff in the Harry Potter films
• Anika Reedy: Professional golfer who has competed on the LPGA Tour and Symetra Tour
• Andrew Reedy: Professional stuntman, notable for his stunt work on movies such as “Pirates of the Caribbean” and “The Avengers”
• David Reedy: American television writer and producer, best known for creating the series “The Big Bang Theory”
• Logan Reedy: Country music artist signed to Big Machine Label Group
• Chad Reedy: Singer, songwriter, and guitarist from Minnesota
• Gordon Reedy: American journalist and former managing editor of The Washington Post

Other surnames

ReedReedarReedeReederReedisReeds