This surname is derived from the name of an ancestor. 'the son of Redmond' (v. Yonge). Of course Redmond was occasionally corrupted into Redman; compare Wyman for Wymond, or Mayman for Maymond. (a) Local, 'of Redmain, 'a township in the parish of Isell, Cumberland.

Norman de Redman, 34 Henry II: History Westm. and Cumb.

Matthew de Redman, temp. Edward I: ibid.

Thomas de Redeman, 49 Edward III: History Westm. and Cumb.

Mathew de Redeman, Lancashire, Henry III-Edward I: Testa de Nevill, sive Liber Feodorum, temp. Henry III-Edward I.

Henry de Rydeman, Westmorland, 20 Edward I: Placita de Quo Warranto, temp. Edward I-III.

John Redman, or Redmand, 1537: Register of the University of Oxford.

There can be no doubt that (2) is the true parent of the vast majority of Redmans, Redmaynes, and Redmonds. But the two streams now flow in one common channel; compare Simonds for Simons.

(English) 1 belonging to Redmain (Cumb.), 13th cent. Red(e)man, also Rydeman.

This may be a pers. name with a local suffix dropped; or the name may be due to some natural feature, as a rock, resembling a man.

(rarely) 2 the Anglo-Saxon Rǽdmœgen = Counsel-Strength [Old English rǽd, counsel + mœgen, might] Confused with Redman.

1. Might be classed with Blackman, Whiteman, &c., in reference to complexion. 2. It is more likely identical with the Radmannus or Radchenistre of Domesday. The persons so designated held under a certain tenure, chiefly of the servile kind. According to Dr. Nash, they were freemen who served on horseback. "Radcniht-equestris homo." Ellis, Introd. Domesd., i. 74. See Roadnight. 3. The same as Redmain. 4. The same as Redmund.

From Old German rat-mund, a counsellor. compare the Old German names Ethelred, Cuthred, Folcrat, Herirat, Lantirat, Marcrat.

Redman, an ancient name in Westmoreland and Cumberland, originated from Redmain, part of a township in West Cumberland. From the 14th to the 16th century members of the family were frequently sheriffs of these counties. De Redman, De Redeman, and De Redmain were usually the early forms of the name; Redman, of Redman, was sheriff of Cumberland in the reign of Richard II.; between 1649 and 1760 six mayors of Kendal bore the name of Redman (N., N. B., and H.). The name is now infrequent in these counties. The Redmans and Redmaynes of the West Riding, and the Readmans of the North and East Ridings, who are referred to under those regions, evidently hailed originally from the ancient Cumberland family.

Redman and Redmayne in the West Riding, and Readman in the North and East Ridings, represent in Yorkshire the ancient Cumberland and Westmoreland name of Redmain, Redman, or.

Redeman: Redeman, which is referred to under those counties. Charles Redman, was lord mayor of York in 1705 and 1722, and William Redman held that office in 1714 (D.) Richard Redman was high sheriff of York early in the 15th century (D.). During the 17th century the Redmaynes were a knightly family of Thornton - in - Lonsdale in the West Riding (Whitaker's "Richmondshire").