Where do you think the last name "reid" came from?

Question

i want to know my heritage, and i know that sometimes peoples last names were part of their work, so i wanted to know if anyone knows?

Answer 1

The name Reid has actually two origins. One is English and the other is Scottish. Take a look at the following link.

http://www.houseofnames.com/coatofarms_details.asp?s=Reid&sId=

Looking for the origin of a certain name is a common question here. And it's fine if that is all someone wants. But it does not tell you anything for certain. Here are a couple of links to surname message boards if you are interested. They do have a specific board for Reid. Many who frequent these boards are genealogists and may have some more insight into your specific surname. There are also separate boards for states, counties, and countries if you are interested.

http://genforum.genealogy.com/reid/
http://boards.rootsweb.com/surnames.reid/mb.ashx

With the name Reid having two origins, the only way that you are going to know for sure is if you trace your own family person by person, generation by generation. Believe me, this is a lot of fun and you learn so much about yourself in the process.

If you wish to persue your specific surname further, E-mail me via my profile and I will give you some more helpful genealogy sites. Blessings.

Answer 2

Anywhere in the British Isles. Definately Scotland and Ireland as well according to the previous answer.

Answer 3

http://www.irishgen.com/surnames/details.asp?surname_id=612

I think this should help. It is a page on the surname Reid, it means ‘red haired’ or ‘ruddy complexioned’.