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Read is an English name from Northumberland, England, where the family held a seat. It comes from the Old English word read which means "red." The earliest known ancestor--Leofwine se Reade--was recorded in 1016. The family motto is Pax copia which means "peace, plenty."

Other spellings of the name include "Rede," "Reid," "Ried," and "Reed." Notable people with the surname include American actor James Read (A Lot Like Love, Beaches, Legally Blonde), Canadian hockey player Matt Read (Philadelphia Flyers), and British screenwriter Anthony Read (Doctor Who, The Black Arrow, The Baker Street Boys). The first Read to come to America was James Read in Virginia in 1607.

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  • Name Birth Date Death Date Location
  • John Read -- --, 1656 December 0, 1725 England
  • Jacob Read -- --, 1716 May 6, 1794 Massachusetts Bay Colony
  • Rachel Read -- --, 1728 March 8, 1821 Massachusetts Bay Colony
  • John Read -- --, 1598 September 7, 1685
  • Brygett Read -- --, 1560 December 0, 1597
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