Map of England showing where the Read arms are recorded
The Read arms were recorded in London, c. 1599.
This is where the arms were entered in the register. Families often moved to other parts of the country, so the same name can turn up in more than one region.
The body that granted and recorded arms in England in this period.
Elizabeth I of England
Sovereign of the period
Elizabeth I of England
1558–1603
Reigning in England when the Read arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in England
English heraldry allowed arms to be shared by all legitimate descendants of the original owner. These symbols were treated as personal property that moved through the generations to all children. While the eldest son kept the original design, other family members could use the same shield without needing to change it or register their own unique versions.
Granting authority
The College of Arms in London has regulated the use of coats of arms throughout England and Wales since 1484.
How they got arms
Families typically obtained their coats of arms through a formal grant from the Crown or by proving their ancient right to them.
Where arms were recorded
All official coats of arms are recorded in the registers kept at the College of Arms, which date back to the fifteenth century.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of England.
Origin & History of the Read Family in England
The surname Read is rooted in the Old English word *read*, which translates to the color red. In the centuries following the Norman Conquest, surnames often emerged as descriptive nicknames to distinguish individuals based on their physical appearance, such as a person with a ruddy complexion or bright red hair. By the time the name appears in London records during the late sixteenth century, the family had already established a presence in the bustling capital. In 1599, London was a rapidly growing center of trade and culture, and families like the Reads were active participants in this urban environment. As literacy increased and record-keeping became more formal, the spelling of the name began to stabilize in parish registers and legal documents. These early ancestors were part of the foundational population that helped shape the city during the final years of the Elizabethan era.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
griffinValour and vigilance, guarding great treasure
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Historical info
Source
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Az. a griffin segreant or”
MeathDunboyne · Meath, c. 1715
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Map of Ireland showing where the Read arms are recorded
The Read arms were recorded in Meath, c. 1715.
Meath was the best farmland in Ireland and the old seat of its high kings. Norman families took it early and held it, and land of that quality kept the same families on it for centuries.
This is where the arms were entered in the register. Families often moved to other parts of the country, so the same name can turn up in more than one region.
The body that granted and recorded arms in Ireland in this period.
George I of Great Britain
Sovereign of the period
George I of Great Britain
1714–1727
Reigning in England when the Read arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Ireland
The Ulster King of Arms granted coats of arms to individuals who proved their social standing and good character. These symbols were typically inherited by all legitimate descendants of the original holder. If a family branch wanted a unique look, they could apply for a specific change to their design through the office to ensure their identity remained distinct.
Granting authority
The Ulster King of Arms acted as the official body that regulated and issued all coats of arms throughout Ireland.
How they got arms
Families obtained their arms through formal grants issued by the office after proving their eligibility and paying the required fees.
Where arms were recorded
All official grants were recorded in the registers held by the Ulster King of Arms starting from the year 1552.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Meath.
Origin & History of the Read Family in Ireland
The surname Read has deep roots in Ireland, often appearing as an Anglicized version of older Gaelic names or as a name brought over by settlers during periods of migration. By the early eighteenth century, records confirm that members of the Read family were well-established in County Meath. During this time, Meath was a region defined by significant land transitions and agricultural development, which influenced how families settled and organized their lives. Families in this area often worked within the local farming economy or served in administrative roles that kept them connected to the growing towns. Because the name was relatively common across the British Isles, those living in Meath in 1715 were part of a broader movement of people who helped shape the social and economic landscape of the Irish Midlands. Their presence in the historical record during this era highlights a period of stability for the family as they integrated into the local community.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
griffinValour and vigilance, guarding great treasure
lionCourage, strength and royalty
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Historical info
Source
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Quarterly, 1st and 4th, az. a griffin segreant or, for READ; 2nd and 3rd, az. a lion ramp. ar., for CREWE”
MontgomeryLlandinam Hall · Montgomery, c. 1858
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
Map of Wales showing where the Read arms are recorded
The Read arms were recorded in Montgomery, c. 1858.
Montgomeryshire was mid-Welsh border country where land was held in return for keeping it quiet. Families were expected to arm, and an armed household carried a shield.
This is where the arms were entered in the register. Families often moved to other parts of the country, so the same name can turn up in more than one region.
The body that granted and recorded arms in Wales in this period.
Victoria
Sovereign of the period
Victoria
1837–1901
Reigning in England when the Read arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Wales
English heraldry allowed arms to be shared by all legitimate descendants of the original owner. These symbols were treated as personal property that moved through the generations to all children. While the eldest son kept the original design, other family members could use the same shield without needing to change it or register their own unique versions.
Granting authority
The College of Arms in London has regulated the use of coats of arms throughout England and Wales since 1484.
How they got arms
Families typically obtained their coats of arms through a formal grant from the Crown or by proving their ancient right to them.
Where arms were recorded
All official coats of arms are recorded in the registers kept at the College of Arms, which date back to the fifteenth century.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Montgomery.
Origin & History of the Read Family in Wales
The surname Read is rooted in the Old English word *read*, which originally served as a descriptive nickname for a person with red hair or a ruddy complexion. While the name is common across Britain, its presence in Wales often reflects the movement of families across the border into the Welsh Marches during the nineteenth century. By 1858, members of the Read family were firmly established in the market town of Montgomery, a location with a long history of serving as a gateway between England and Wales. During this period, families often settled in Montgomery to take advantage of its role as a regional administrative and agricultural center. These early residents were part of a broader trend of families integrating into the local community, contributing to the town’s social and economic life as it transitioned through the Victorian era.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
read
Old English word meaning red or clearing in a forest.
This name
ReadA topographical name for someone who lived near a forest clearing or a descriptive name for someone with red hair.
also spelled
Reed
Rede
Related arms
Rudstonsame arms
Redevariant spelling
Reedvariant spelling
Reedevariant spelling
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Reaney, P.H., A Dictionary of English Surnames, 1958
Bardsley, Charles Wareing, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames, 1901
The National Archives, Prerogative Court of Canterbury and related Probate Jurisdictions: Will Registers, 1599
London Metropolitan Archives, Church of England Parish Registers, 1599
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
griffinValour and vigilance, guarding great treasure
lionCourage, strength and royalty
