UK surname
An Anglicized surname derived from the French term "réel" meaning "real" or "genuine."
In the 1881 census there were 38 people recorded with the Reely surname, ranking it #28,285 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 42, ranked #35,336, down from #28,285 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to London parishes, Dundee, Liff, Benvie and Invergowry and Liverpool. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Reely is 107 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 10.5%.
1881 census count
38
Ranked #28,285
Modern count
42
2016, ranked #35,336
Peak year
1861
107 bearers
Map years
1
1861 to 1861
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Reely surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Reely surname density by area, 1861 census.
Timeline
Back to topThe table below tracks recorded surname counts and rank from the 19th-century census years through the modern adult-register period.
| Year | Period | Count | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1851 | historical | 65 | #21,747 |
| 1861 | historical | 107 | #20,008 |
| 1881 | historical | 38 | #28,285 |
| 1891 | historical | 57 | #29,533 |
| 1901 | historical | 63 | #27,134 |
| 1911 | historical | 55 | #27,313 |
| 1997 | modern | 35 | #34,174 |
| 1998 | modern | 27 | #35,148 |
| 1999 | modern | 27 | #35,224 |
| 2000 | modern | 25 | #35,382 |
| 2001 | modern | 24 | #35,357 |
| 2002 | modern | 27 | #35,243 |
| 2003 | modern | 27 | #35,279 |
| 2004 | modern | 26 | #35,519 |
| 2005 | modern | 26 | #35,674 |
| 2006 | modern | 25 | #35,903 |
| 2007 | modern | 25 | #36,006 |
| 2008 | modern | 29 | #35,808 |
| 2009 | modern | 29 | #35,922 |
| 2010 | modern | 36 | #35,620 |
| 2011 | modern | 35 | #35,659 |
| 2012 | modern | 35 | #35,645 |
| 2013 | modern | 35 | #35,697 |
| 2014 | modern | 41 | #35,396 |
| 2015 | modern | 41 | #35,383 |
| 2016 | modern | 42 | #35,336 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around London parishes, Dundee, Liff, Benvie and Invergowry, Liverpool, Lydd and Brightwell. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.
The modern local-area list points to No data. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.
| Rank | Parish | Area |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | London parishes | London 3 |
| 2 | Dundee, Liff, Benvie and Invergowry | Forfar |
| 3 | Liverpool | Lancashire |
| 4 | Lydd | Kent |
| 5 | Brightwell | Berkshire |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Reely surname in historical and recent records.
Recent female names
Recent male names
Modern profile
Back to topModern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Reely, this points to the kinds of places where the surname is most concentrated today.
These neighbourhood labels describe areas, not individual people. They are useful because surnames often cluster through family history, migration, housing patterns and local work. A surname can be strongest in one type of neighbourhood even when people with that name live across the country.
The UK classification gives the national picture. The London classification is more specific to the capital, where housing, age profile, tenure and population mix can look quite different from the rest of the UK.
UK neighbourhood type
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Nationally, the Reely surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Reely household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.
London neighbourhood type
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Within London, Reely is most associated with areas classed as No data, part of No data. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.
Broadband speed
The modern neighbourhood pattern for Reely is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Reely, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Reely is an anglicized form of the Irish Gaelic name Ó Raghaillaigh, which originated in County Cavan, Ireland in the 12th century. The Gaelic name Ó Raghaillaigh means "descendant of Raghallach," with Raghallach being a personal name derived from the Old Norse word "Rögnvaldr," meaning "counsel-ruler."
This name was first recorded in the Annals of Ulster in 1176, which referred to a certain Máel Ísu Ó Raghaillaigh as the Chief of Muintir-Raghailligh. The Muintir-Raghailligh was a powerful Irish clan based in the territory of Cairbre Gabhra, near modern-day Cavan.
The earliest known bearer of the anglicized form Reely was Feidhlimidh Ó Raghaillaigh, who was appointed Bishop of Kilmore in County Cavan in 1349. Another notable figure was Felim Ó Raghaillaigh, who served as the Archbishop of Tuam from 1484 to 1501.
In the 16th century, the name appears in various forms in the Fiants of the Tudor Sovereigns of England, including Rely, Reyley, and Reyly. One record from 1538 mentions a pardon granted to "Ferdoragho Ó Reyly of Cavon."
The Reely surname is also found in several place names in County Cavan, such as Reelycrine, Reelygreany, and Reelysillagh, reflecting the clan's historical dominance in the region.
Notable individuals with the surname Reely include:
1. William Reely (c. 1612-1667), an English clergyman and author of "A Guide to Eternal Glory." 2. John Reely (1763-1820), an American Revolutionary War soldier and early settler of Kentucky. 3. Joseph Reely (1830-1901), an Irish-born American Civil War veteran and member of the New York State Assembly. 4. Patrick Reely (1857-1921), an Irish-born Australian politician and member of the Victorian Legislative Assembly. 5. James Reely (1894-1971), an American baseball player who played for the Boston Red Sox in the 1920s.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Reely surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.
Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Berkshire leads with 16 Reelys recorded in 1881 and an index of 57.53x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Berkshire | 16 | 57.53x |
| Middlesex | 11 | 2.97x |
| Warwickshire | 5 | 5.35x |
| Kent | 3 | 2.37x |
| Cardiganshire | 1 | 11.06x |
| Lancashire | 1 | 0.23x |
| Norfolk | 1 | 1.76x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Brightwell in Berkshire leads with 8 Reelys recorded in 1881 and an index of 10000.00x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Brightwell | 8 | 10000.00x |
| Steventon | 6 | 5000.00x |
| Aston | 5 | 19.44x |
| St Anne Soho London | 5 | 235.85x |
| Feltham | 4 | 1081.08x |
| Lydd | 3 | 1111.11x |
| Cardigan St Mary | 1 | 285.71x |
| Liverpool | 1 | 3.75x |
| New Windsor | 1 | 107.53x |
| Sandhurst | 1 | 185.19x |
| Twickenham | 1 | 62.89x |
| Weasenham All Sts | 1 | 2000.00x |
| Willesden | 1 | 28.65x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Reely surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
These are the male first names most often recorded with the Reely surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
Occupational titles are kept as recorded and later transcribed, so related jobs, spelling variants and mistakes stay separate. Scholar was the census term for a child in education. That means the other rows often tell you more about adult work in Reely households.
FAQ
In 1881, 38 people were recorded with the Reely surname. That placed it at #28,285 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 42 in 2016. That gives Reely a modern rank of #35,336.
An Anglicized surname derived from the French term "réel" meaning "real" or "genuine."
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Reely bearers relative to the surrounding population.
The historical counts come from census surname records. The modern counts and neighbourhood summaries come from later surname distribution records. Counts are recorded bearers in those records, not a live estimate of everyone with the name today.