Surname Ready - Meaning and Origin
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Ready: What does the surname Ready mean?
The surname Ready is of Irish origin, derived from the Gaelic name "O'Readaigh" which means "son of Reda." It has been suggested that the name Reda is associated with the color red, possibly denoting someone with red hair or a ruddy complexion. Over the years, the name has transformed into numerous variations including Readdy, Readey, Reddy, and ultimately Ready. The English meaning of 'ready' is being prepared or prompt which is not related to the origin or traditional significance of this surname. Like many surnames, Ready can also be found as a first name. As a family name, it is spread across many English-speaking countries around the world like Ireland, the United States, Canada, Australia, and the United Kingdom.
Order DNA origin analysisReady: Where does the name Ready come from?
The Ready surname is common today in many European countries and the United States. Ready is an anglicized form of the Anglo-Saxon name “redi”, which could also be spelled Reid, Reade, or Reidy. It is derived from the Old English word “read” meaning “red,” which refers to a person’s physical complexion.
In England the Ready name is largely concentrated in areas around counties such as Somerset, Devon, and Cornwall. In other parts of the British Isles, it is commonly found in Ireland and Scotland.
In America, the Ready surname is found in large concentrations in states such as Texas, California, Florida, and New York. It is also quite common in Canada, with the highest concentrations in Ontario and Quebec.
The meaning of the Ready name can also vary based on the regional language or dialect. In some regions it can refer to “ready to go” or “ready to serve” and in other areas “hasty or quick”. Ready is also a popular surname among the Icelandic people, likely due to their Viking heritage.
Overall, the Ready surname can be found in many countries today, with the highest concentrations being in the British Isles and North America. It is quite a common surname, and likely has been since the early medieval period.
Variations of the surname Ready
The Ready surname is derived from the Old French word 'redy', which means 'ready or prepared'. Therefore, the spelling of the surname is generally unchanged. The most common spelling is Ready, although other variations may include Reedy, Reddy, Redd, and Reed.
The Ready surname was widespread in Ireland. It is primarily found throughout Northern Ireland and in counties Roscommon, Galway and Clare. In Galway, the surname is predominantly located in the north of the province, particularly in the regions known as the Connaught simplicity. One of the earliest recorded variants of the Irish Ready surname is O'Reddy, which is found as early as the 14th century.
In Scotland, Ready is an uncommon surname and is primarily found in the Edinburgh area. In England, the Ready surname is widely distributed, particularly in the West Midlands, Cheshire, Lancashire and parts of Yorkshire and Northumberland.
Alternate spellings and surnames based on the Ready surname can include Reade, Reede, Rede, Readey, Rodie, Redey, Reedye and Rody. There are also a few variants of the Ready name found in the United States and Canada. American variants include Readey, Redeye, Redd, Reede, Reidy, Redie, and Reedie. Canadian variants may include Read, Redei, Rodee, Riedi, Redia and Radi.
Famous people with the name Ready
- Richard Ready: Actor
- Meagan Ready: Ultrarunner
- Edmund Ready: Olympic gold medalist sprinter
- Genevieve Ready: Singer & Musician
- Louis Ready: Engineer & Businessman
- Bill Ready: Entrepreneur
- Tim Ready: Entrepreneur
- Dannie Ready: Musician
- David Ready: Politician
- William Ready: Astronaut & Aviator
- Paul Ready: Actor
- Stewart Ready: Chef & Restaurateur
- Lucy Ready: Skateboarder
- Brad Ready: Football Player
- Christopher Ready: Actor
- Howard Ready: Artist & Author
- Steve Ready: Adventure Racer
- Zoe Ready: Watercolor Artist
- Cecelia Ready: Singer & Dancer
- Buck Ready: Stock Market Analyst & Writer