reddlemen

Reddlemen were a historical occupational group in Britain, known for applying reddle—the red pigment used to mark livestock—to sheep and other animals. The practice served to indicate ownership, group identity, or readiness for sale and transport in the pre-tag era.

A reddleman carried a small leather bag or pouch, containing reddle pigment, and used a brush or gloved hand to apply the pigment to the animal’s hindquarters, flank, or shoulders. The pigment itself was made from red ochre mixed with glue or binder to help it adhere to wool. The work required knowledge of flocks and markets and could be itinerant, with reddlemen following drovers and market towns.

Historical records place reddlemen in medieval and early modern Britain, particularly in rural counties where sheep farming was prominent. The trade declined with the adoption of permanent marks such as ear tags and branding, as well as changes in livestock marketing and husbandry in the 19th and 20th centuries. Today the term survives mainly in dialect and historical references, and may appear in regional literature and folklore.

Etymology: The term reddle derives from the pigment’s name; reddleman literally means 'man who applies reddle.' The concept is primarily of historical interest and reflects the material culture of traditional sheep farming rather than a distinct contemporary occupation.