Surname Readman - Meaning and Origin
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Readman: What does the surname Readman mean?
The surname Readman is of Anglo-Saxon origin, and it has notable historical roots in the region that is now modern-day England. It is derived from the old English personal name "Redman" which is a combination of "read", meaning "red", and "mann", meaning "man". This nickname was often given to a person with red hair or a ruddy complexion. Over time and with linguistic evolution, "Redman" transformed into the more modern form "Readman". Thus, it is a patronymic surname, indicating the son of Redman. As with many other surnames, the exact meanings can vary depending on geographical locations and historical periods. Surnames often provided information about the named individual such as their occupation, topographical feature, or even a personal characteristic or attribute. With the Readman surname, it likely began as a moniker to identify someone who had red hair or perhaps a red complexion.
Order DNA origin analysisReadman: Where does the name Readman come from?
The last name Readman is most commonly found in England. In fact, a recent United Kingdom Census revealed that it is the 39,436th most common surname in the country. The origins of the Readman surname can be found in the old Anglo-Saxon culture of Britain. It is derived from the Middle English words "rede," which means counsel, and "mann," which means man.
The most significant concentration of Readmans is found in the English counties of Suffolk and Norfolk. In Suffolk, the name has been especially well-represented over the centuries, with a majority of Readmans in the town of Ipswich - one of the oldest towns in Suffolk.
It is common to see the surname Readman in many of the other South-East corner counties such as Cambridgeshire, Essex, Surrey, and Kent. The pronounced "d" in 'Readman' can also be occasionally seen across Northern parts of England such as Lancashire and Yorkshire.
Outside of England, the surname of Readman is also found throughout North America. This is mainly thanks to the 19th-century immigration wave of British settlers, many of whom brought the name Readman to the shores of the United States and Canada to begin a new life. Today, Readmans can be found in almost every corner of both nations.
Variations of the surname Readman
The surname Readman is an anglicized form of the German name Reichmann, and can be variously spelt as Redman, Reade, Redman, Reesman, Reedman, Reedman, Reisman, Reismann and Riedman. Variants of this name can also be spelled as Reidman, Reidmann, Readman, Redman, Reemann, Rehman, Reyman, Reymann, Riemann, Riedmann, Releman.
The origin of the name Readman is believed to stem from the Middle High German word "riche," meaning "king." In the Middle Ages, the Reichmann family held a variety of positions of importance in a number of principalities and duchies in Europe.
The earliest reference to the name appears to be from 1274 when a Henricus de Rehman is recorded in the "Matricula, Colonia," a book of names belonging to citizens of the city of Cologne. Variations of the name can also be found in the records of the Palatinate in the 13th and 14th centuries, where the name is recorded as Riemann, Ryman, Reimann, and Reemann.
The spelling of the name has changed considerably over the centuries. In England and Wales, the spelling often took the form "Reade" or "Read" whilst in Scotland it was usually spelled "Reed."
The surname Readman can also be found in the United States, and it is usually spelt as either Redman or Redmann. Similarly, the variant spelling Reedman or Reedmann can be found in the records of Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.
Famous people with the name Readman
- A.J. Readman, Canadian actor
- Mary Readman, British writer
- Bill Readman, British athlete
- Sean Readman, Australian actor
- Amy Readman, British singer-songwriter
- Ross Readman, British comedian
- John Readman, Canadian singer-songwriter
- Jack Readman, British racing cyclist
- Joe Readman, English singer and musician
- Alexander Readman, British artist
- Steve Readman, English professional golfer
- Mark Readman, English footballer
- Jodie Readman, British classical composer and music director
- Craig Readman, British baker and pastry chef
- Matt Readman, New Zealand actor and director
- Thomas Readman, British Paralympic swimmer
- Abigail Readman, British footballer
- Richard Readman, British actor, writer and producer
- Katie Readman, British challenging feminine stereotype influencer
- Bruce Readman, British stuntman, stunt coordinator and actor