UK surname
A variant spelling of the Irish surname Riley, derived from the Gaelic surname Ó Raghailligh meaning "descendant of Raghaillach".
In the 1881 census there were 169 people recorded with the Reiley surname, ranking it #14,324 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 21, ranked #36,596, down from #14,324 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to London parishes, Govan Combination and Manchester. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Reiley is 224 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 87.6%.
1881 census count
169
Ranked #14,324
Modern count
21
2016, ranked #36,596
Peak year
1861
224 bearers
Map years
5
1851 to 1901
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Reiley surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Reiley surname density by area, 1881 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 | 194 | #10,662 |
| 1861 | historical | 224 | #10,882 |
| 1881 | historical | 169 | #14,324 |
| 1891 | historical | 110 | #22,557 |
| 1901 | historical | 109 | #21,712 |
| 1911 | historical | 85 | #24,322 |
| 1997 | modern | 23 | #35,484 |
| 1998 | modern | 22 | #35,687 |
| 1999 | modern | 19 | #36,041 |
| 2000 | modern | 20 | #35,915 |
| 2001 | modern | 20 | #35,754 |
| 2002 | modern | 25 | #35,428 |
| 2003 | modern | 22 | #35,740 |
| 2004 | modern | 19 | #36,147 |
| 2005 | modern | 20 | #36,165 |
| 2006 | modern | 20 | #36,254 |
| 2007 | modern | 22 | #36,213 |
| 2008 | modern | 24 | #36,148 |
| 2009 | modern | 28 | #35,988 |
| 2010 | modern | 26 | #36,220 |
| 2011 | modern | 21 | #36,502 |
| 2012 | modern | 25 | #36,227 |
| 2013 | modern | 23 | #36,414 |
| 2014 | modern | 22 | #36,496 |
| 2015 | modern | 20 | #36,653 |
| 2016 | modern | 21 | #36,596 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around London parishes, Govan Combination, Manchester, Dundee, Liff, Benvie and Invergowry and St Giles-in-the-Fields. 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 | Govan Combination | Lanark |
| 3 | Manchester | Lancashire |
| 4 | Dundee, Liff, Benvie and Invergowry | Forfar |
| 5 | St Giles-in-the-Fields | London (Central Districts) |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Reiley 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 Reiley, 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 Reiley surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Reiley 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, Reiley 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 Reiley is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Reiley, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Reiley is of Irish origin, with its roots tracing back to the medieval era in Ireland. It is a variant spelling of the name Reilly, which is derived from the Gaelic surname Ó Raghailligh. This surname means "descendant of Raghaillach," a personal name that translates to "valorous" or "having great valor."
The Reillys were a prominent clan in County Cavan, Ireland, and their name is believed to have originated in that region. The earliest recorded mention of the name dates back to the 13th century when a Robertus Reyly is listed in the Annals of Ulster in 1273.
In the 14th century, a notable figure named Mathew Reilly is mentioned in the Annals of Clonmacnoise as one of the gallowglasses (elite mercenary warriors) who fought alongside the O'Conors of Connacht in 1315. This historical reference provides evidence of the Reillys' military prowess and their involvement in the conflicts of that era.
The Reiley surname has also been connected to various place names in Ireland, such as Reillystown and Reilighmulchill, indicating the presence of Reiley families in those areas. These place names likely derived from the surname itself, reflecting the influence and dominance of the clan in certain regions.
One of the earliest recorded examples of the Reiley spelling can be found in the late 16th century when Sir John Reiley of County Westmeath is mentioned in the Annals of the Four Masters in 1588. He was a prominent figure who played a role in the Nine Years' War (1594-1603) against English forces in Ireland.
Other notable individuals with the Reiley surname include:
1. James Whitfield Reiley (1810-1888), an American politician and lawyer who served as a U.S. Representative from Pennsylvania. 2. John James Reiley (1799-1857), an Irish-American author and editor known for his work "Life of Andrew Jackson." 3. Reverend John Reiley (1795-1857), an American Catholic priest and missionary who established several churches in Pennsylvania. 4. Edward Reiley (1832-1909), an American businessman and philanthropist who founded the Reiley Institute in Pennsylvania. 5. Sir John Reiley (c. 1550-1626), an Irish nobleman and soldier who fought against English forces during the Nine Years' War.
The Reiley surname has a rich history rooted in the medieval era of Ireland, reflecting the valor and military prowess of its bearers. Its variations and connections to place names provide insights into the geographic distribution and influence of the Reiley clan throughout Irish history.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Reiley 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. Lancashire leads with 35 Reileys recorded in 1881 and an index of 1.80x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Lancashire | 35 | 1.80x |
| Lanarkshire | 18 | 3.40x |
| Cheshire | 15 | 4.15x |
| Yorkshire | 15 | 0.92x |
| Middlesex | 13 | 0.79x |
| Gloucestershire | 12 | 3.73x |
| Durham | 11 | 2.26x |
| Shropshire | 9 | 6.36x |
| Cumberland | 6 | 4.25x |
| Glamorgan | 6 | 2.10x |
| Surrey | 6 | 0.75x |
| Worcestershire | 6 | 2.80x |
| Aberdeenshire | 2 | 1.32x |
| Buckinghamshire | 2 | 2.02x |
| Devon | 2 | 0.59x |
| Midlothian | 2 | 0.91x |
| Northumberland | 2 | 0.82x |
| Anglesey | 1 | 3.44x |
| Carmarthenshire | 1 | 1.45x |
| Kent | 1 | 0.18x |
| Leicestershire | 1 | 0.55x |
| Sussex | 1 | 0.36x |
| Warwickshire | 1 | 0.24x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Liverpool in Lancashire leads with 12 Reileys recorded in 1881 and an index of 10.16x.
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Reiley 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 Reiley 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 Reiley households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| Scholar | 21 |
| Iron Ore Miner | 4 |
| Dressmaker | 3 |
| Ag Lab | 2 |
| Brickmaker | 2 |
| Charwoman | 2 |
| Coal Trimmer | 2 |
| Cotton Factory Operative | 2 |
| Dock Labourer | 2 |
| Firewood Cutter (Wood DLR) | 2 |
| General Labourer | 2 |
| Genl Labourer & Watchman | 2 |
| Labourer | 2 |
| Wire Cleaner | 2 |
| Coal Miner | 1 |
| Coke Burner | 1 |
| Coke Laborer | 1 |
| Cotton Weaver | 1 |
| Dom Servt | 1 |
| Domestic Servant | 1 |
| Factory Girl (F L) | 1 |
| Farm Lab | 1 |
| Farmer | 1 |
| Fitter Labourer | 1 |
| French Polisher | 1 |
| Game Keeper | 1 |
| Gardener | 1 |
| Gen Labr | 1 |
| Gen Serv | 1 |
| Gen Serv Unemployed | 1 |
| Genl Serv | 1 |
| Hawker | 1 |
| Hosiers Assistant | 1 |
| House Agent | 1 |
| Housekeeper | 1 |
| Inland Revenue Officer | 1 |
| Iron Miner | 1 |
| Laborer | 1 |
| Laborer In Iron Works | 1 |
| Labourer (General) | 1 |
| Labourer On Pitbank | 1 |
| Laundress | 1 |
| Marine Stoker | 1 |
| Milk Seller | 1 |
| Musical Inst Maker | 1 |
| No Occupation | 1 |
| Nurse Domestic Serv | 1 |
| Page D | 1 |
| Painter | 1 |
| Parlour Maid | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 169 people were recorded with the Reiley surname. That placed it at #14,324 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 21 in 2016. That gives Reiley a modern rank of #36,596.
A variant spelling of the Irish surname Riley, derived from the Gaelic surname Ó Raghailligh meaning "descendant of Raghaillach".
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Reiley 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.