Reid History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The origins of the Reid surname are uncertain. In some instances, it was no doubt derived from the Old English word “read,” meaning “red,” and was a nickname that came to be a surname. Either way, we may conclude that it meant “red-haired” or “ruddy complexioned.” [1] [2]

To confuse matters more, there are also instances where the surname Reid is thought to be derived from one of various place names, such as Read in Lancashire, and Rede in Suffolk.

Early Origins of the Reid family

The surname Reid was first found in Aberdeenshire (Gaelic: Siorrachd Obar Dheathain), a historic county, and present day Council Area of Aberdeen, located in the Grampian region of northeastern Scotland where the name has been found since the 14th century. Ancient charters show the name as Rufus (Latinized,) records include an Ada Rufus who witnessed resignation of the lands of Ingilbristoun in 1204; and a William Rufus, who was a juror on an inquest on the lands of Padevinan in 1259. “Gilbert ‘le Rede’ of Coul was committed to prison and died there in 1296. Red is found as a surname in Aberdeen in 1317, and it is one of the oldest in the parish of Kildrummy. Patrick dictus Rede was on an assize at Rane in 1335, John Reed was collector of tithe in the deaneries of Stormonth and Atholl in 1362, and James Reed was bailie of the burgh of Stirling in 1364. Reeds were at one period a numerous Clan in Kyle. The first of the name there recorded is probably William Rede, son of John Reede. who had a confirmation of the lands and pertinents of Bairskemyn in Kyle in 1375. ” [3]

For the purposes of Clan identification, the family name Reid is officially a sept of the ClanRobertson and as such is entitled to the Clan Badge and Crest of the Robertsons.

Early History of the Reid family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Reid research.

Reid Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Ried, Reid, Read, Reed and others.

Early Notables of the Reid family (pre 1700)

Notable amongst the Clan from early times was Robert Reid (died 1558), Scottish abbot of Kinloss and bishop of Orkney, son of John Reid of Aikenhead, who was killed at Flodden; Thomas Redi, Read or Rhaedus (died 1624), Latin secretary to King James I, second son of James Reid, minister of Banchory Ternan, Kincardineshire; Alexander Rhead or Reid (1586-1641), a Scottish anatomist and surgeon, whose surname is variously spelt Reid, Read, Reade, Rhead, or Rhaedus, the third son of James Reid, minister of Banchory Ternan, Kincardineshire; and Thomas Reid (d. 1625), who was appointed Latin secretary to King James I.

Reid World Ranking

In the United States, the name Reid is the 232^nd most popular surname with an estimated 114,402 people with that name. [4] However, in Canada, the name Reid is ranked the 37^th most popular surname with an estimated 43,241 people with that name. [5] And in Quebec, Canada, the name Reid is the 527^th popular surname. [6] Newfoundland, Canada ranks Reid as 14^th with 942 people. [7] Australia ranks Reid as 69^th with 33,800 people. [8] New Zealand ranks Reid as 35^th with 5,572 people. [9] The United Kingdom ranks Reid as 90^th with 51,282 people. [10]

 Migration of the Reid family to Ireland

Some of the Reid family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.

 Reid migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were: 

Reid Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

• Gabriell Reid, aged 18, who arrived in New England in 1635 aboard the ship “Hopewell” [11]
• Elizabeth Reid, who landed in Maryland in 1674 [11]
• Abraham Reid, who arrived in Maryland in 1678 [11]
• George Reid, who settled in East New Jersey in 1684
• Andrew Reid, who landed in New Jersey in 1685 [11]

Reid Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

• Christian James Reid, who arrived in Georgia in 1738 [11]
• Duncan Reid, who arrived in New York in 1739 [11]
• John Reid, his wife and son, who settled in New York in 1739
• Henry Reid, who landed in Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania in 1751 [11]
• Charles Reid, who was on record in Pensacola, FL in 1768

Reid Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

• Daniel Reid, who landed in America in 1811 [11]
• Isaiah Reid, aged 52, who landed in South Carolina in 1812 [11]
• George Reid, aged 30, who arrived in Georgia in 1812 [11]
• Adam Reid, who landed in Baltimore, Maryland in 1816 [11]
• Forest Reid, who arrived in New York, NY in 1817 [11]

 Reid migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were: 

Reid Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century

• Daniel Reid, who arrived in Montreal in 1770
• Mr. James Reid U.E. who settled in Sissiboo [Digby], Dibgy County, Nova Scotia c. 1784 he served in the Loyalist Regiment [12]
• Mr. William Reid U.E. who settled in Canada c. 1784 [12]

Reid Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

• John Reid, aged 25, a farmer, who arrived in Pictou, Nova Scotia aboard the ship “Commerce” in 1803
• Eliza Reid, aged 23, who arrived in Pictou, Nova Scotia aboard the ship “Commerce” in 1803
• Alexander Reid, aged 3 1/4, who arrived in Pictou, Nova Scotia aboard the ship “Commerce” in 1803
• Ann Reid, aged 1 1/4, who arrived in Pictou, Nova Scotia aboard the ship “Commerce” in 1803
• Alexander Reid, who arrived in Canada in 1828

 Reid migration to Australia+

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include: 

Reid Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

• Jane Reid, British convict from Britain, who was transported aboard the “Alexander” on November 4, 1815, settling in New South Wales, Australia [13]
• Miss Elizabeth Reid, (b. 1772), aged 46, Irish convict who was convicted in Longford, Ireland for 7 years, transported aboard the “Elizabeth” on 26th July 1818, arriving in New South Wales, Australia [14]
• Mr. Alexander Reid, Scottish convict who was convicted in Edinburgh, Scotland for life, transported aboard the “Elizabeth” on 11th August 1820, arriving in New South Wales, Australia [14]
• Alexander Reid, Scottish convict from Glasgow, who was transported aboard the “Agamemnon” on April 22, 1820, settling in New South Wales, Australia [15]
• James Reid, a joiner, who arrived in Van Diemen’s Land (now Tasmania) sometime between 1825 and 1832

 Reid migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include: 

Reid Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

• Adam Reid, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship “Bengal Merchant” in 1840 [16]
• David Reid, aged 39, a carpenter, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship “Bengal Merchant” in 1840 [16]
• Thomas Reid, aged 23, a painter, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship “Bengal Merchant” in 1840 [16]
• Mary Ann Reid, aged 20, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship “Bengal Merchant” in 1840 [16]
• Mr. Reid, British settler travelling from London, UK aboard the ship “Bengal Merchant” arriving in Port Nicholson, (Wellington Harbour), New Zealand on 20th February 1840 [17]

Contemporary Notables of the name Reid (post 1700) +

• Prime Minister Sir George Houstoun Reid (1845-1918), Australian politician and statesman, Prime Minister for ten months in 1904/1905
• Andrew “Andy” Reid (b. 1958), American NFL head coach of the Kansas City Chiefs who won Super Bowls LIV and LVII
• John Spence Reid (1942-2022), American politician, Member of the Virginia House of Delegates from 1990 to 2008
• Harry Mason Reid Jr. (1939-2021), American lawyer and politician, Senate Majority Leader (2007-2015), Senate Minority Leader (2015-2017), Chair of the Senate Democratic Caucus (2005-2017), Senate Minority Whip (2003-2005)
• Natalie Desselle Reid (1967-2020), American actress who performed in several films, including B.A.P.S., Def Jam’s How to Be a Player, Set It Off and Cinderella
• Ogden Rogers Reid (1925-2019), American politician and diplomat, U.S. Ambassador to Israel (1959-1961)
• Antonio Reid (b. 1956), American songwriter, producer, and record company executive
• David Reid (b. 1973), American boxer
• John Reid (1721-1807), Scottish general, founder of the chair of music at the University of Edinburgh, son of Alexander Robertson of Straloch, Perthshire
• David Boswell Reid (1805-1863), Scottish inventor and physician, born at Edinburgh, Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians, Edinburgh, known for his book ‘Illustrations of the Theory and Practice of Ventilation’ (1844)

The Reid Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Fortitudine et labore
Motto Translation: By fortitute and exertion.