UK surname
Of Irish origin, meaning a descendant of Raghallaigh, a personal name meaning valorous or high-spirited.
In the 1881 census there were 145 people recorded with the Riely surname, ranking it #15,838 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 8, ranked #37,829, down from #15,838 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to New Monkland, St Pancras and Toxteth Park. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Riely is 276 in 1851. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 94.5%.
1881 census count
145
Ranked #15,838
Modern count
8
2016, ranked #37,829
Peak year
1851
276 bearers
Map years
3
1851 to 1881
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Riely surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Riely 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 | 276 | #8,128 |
| 1861 | historical | 192 | #12,423 |
| 1881 | historical | 145 | #15,838 |
| 1891 | historical | 97 | #24,447 |
| 1901 | historical | 83 | #24,900 |
| 1911 | historical | 34 | #29,600 |
| 1997 | modern | 15 | #36,409 |
| 1998 | modern | 15 | #36,457 |
| 1999 | modern | 12 | #36,806 |
| 2000 | modern | 2 | #38,472 |
| 2001 | modern | 2 | #38,335 |
| 2002 | modern | 3 | #38,152 |
| 2003 | modern | 4 | #37,951 |
| 2004 | modern | 7 | #37,496 |
| 2005 | modern | 5 | #37,885 |
| 2006 | modern | 6 | #37,788 |
| 2007 | modern | 11 | #37,217 |
| 2008 | modern | 10 | #37,371 |
| 2009 | modern | 10 | #37,446 |
| 2010 | modern | 11 | #37,411 |
| 2011 | modern | 11 | #37,397 |
| 2012 | modern | 8 | #37,740 |
| 2013 | modern | 9 | #37,653 |
| 2014 | modern | 8 | #37,806 |
| 2015 | modern | 7 | #37,920 |
| 2016 | modern | 8 | #37,829 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around New Monkland, St Pancras, Toxteth Park, Edinburgh and Manchester. 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 | New Monkland | Lanark |
| 2 | St Pancras | London (North Districts) |
| 3 | Toxteth Park | Lancashire |
| 4 | Edinburgh | Edinburgh |
| 5 | Manchester | Lancashire |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Riely 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 Riely, 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 Riely surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Riely 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, Riely 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 Riely is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Riely, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Riely is of Irish origin, and it is derived from the Gaelic name O'Reilly, which means "descendant of Raghallaigh." The O'Reilly clan was one of the most powerful families in Ireland during the Middle Ages, and they were based in the province of Ulster. The name is often spelled as O'Reily, O'Reyly, or Reyly in various historical records.
The earliest recorded instance of the name Riely can be found in the Annals of the Four Masters, which is a chronicle of medieval Irish history compiled in the 17th century. The Annals mention several members of the O'Reilly clan, including Mulmurry O'Reilly, who was the chief of the clan in the late 14th century.
In the 16th century, during the Elizabethan conquest of Ireland, the O'Reilly clan was involved in several battles against the English forces. One of the most notable members of the clan during this period was Edmond O'Reilly, who was executed in 1583 for his role in the Baltinglass Rebellion against English rule.
The Riely surname can also be found in various historical records from the 17th and 18th centuries, such as the Hearth Money Rolls and the Census of Ireland. These records often list the name with various spellings, such as Reyly, Reiley, or Reylie.
Some notable individuals with the surname Riely throughout history include:
1. Bernard Reilly (1530-1609), an Irish Franciscan friar and Catholic priest who was executed for his faith during the English Reformation. 2. James Reilly (1835-1905), an Irish-American journalist and politician who served as the Mayor of Boston from 1888 to 1890. 3. Mary Reilly (1854-1931), an Irish-American labor organizer and activist who played a significant role in the women's suffrage movement in the United States. 4. John Reilly (1877-1944), an Irish-American actor and comedian known for his vaudeville performances and silent films. 5. Philip Reilly (1891-1963), an Irish politician and member of the Irish Free State Seanad Éireann (Senate) from 1922 to 1936.
The Riely surname has a rich history and is deeply rooted in Irish culture and heritage. It has been borne by many notable individuals throughout the centuries, from Catholic martyrs and labor activists to politicians and entertainers.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Riely 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 37 Rielys recorded in 1881 and an index of 2.20x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Lancashire | 37 | 2.20x |
| Lanarkshire | 24 | 5.25x |
| Middlesex | 15 | 1.06x |
| Durham | 12 | 2.85x |
| Yorkshire | 9 | 0.64x |
| Midlothian | 6 | 3.17x |
| Surrey | 6 | 0.87x |
| Leicestershire | 5 | 3.19x |
| Renfrewshire | 5 | 4.56x |
| Selkirkshire | 5 | 39.09x |
| Cheshire | 4 | 1.28x |
| Essex | 4 | 1.43x |
| Kent | 4 | 0.83x |
| Flintshire | 3 | 7.89x |
| Buteshire | 1 | 11.67x |
| Fife | 1 | 1.19x |
| Glamorgan | 1 | 0.41x |
| Roxburghshire | 1 | 3.90x |
| Staffordshire | 1 | 0.21x |
| Warwickshire | 1 | 0.28x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Liverpool in Lancashire leads with 14 Rielys recorded in 1881 and an index of 13.74x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Liverpool | 14 | 13.74x |
| Everton | 9 | 16.83x |
| Kimblesworth | 8 | 1428.57x |
| New Monkland | 8 | 59.17x |
| Rutherglen | 7 | 104.32x |
| Higher Booths | 6 | 198.02x |
| Bermondsey | 5 | 11.88x |
| Galashiels | 5 | 105.71x |
| Govan | 5 | 4.42x |
| Leicester St Margaret | 5 | 13.08x |
| Linthorpe | 5 | 59.81x |
| Neilston | 5 | 90.91x |
| St Pancras London | 5 | 4.39x |
| Limehouse London | 4 | 25.76x |
| South Leith | 4 | 18.76x |
| West Ham | 4 | 6.49x |
| Higher Kinnerton | 3 | 1500.00x |
| Hougham | 3 | 104.53x |
| Leeds | 3 | 3.79x |
| St Giles Cripplegate | 3 | 159.57x |
| West Derby | 3 | 6.11x |
| Barony | 2 | 1.73x |
| Chiswick | 2 | 25.87x |
| Manchester | 2 | 2.65x |
| Newton In Northwich | 2 | 210.53x |
| Penicuik | 2 | 77.82x |
| Whickham | 2 | 51.68x |
| Altrincham | 1 | 18.35x |
| Battersea | 1 | 1.92x |
| Birkenhead | 1 | 4.02x |
| Birmingham | 1 | 0.84x |
| Forgan | 1 | 62.50x |
| Gorbals | 1 | 36.90x |
| Hulme | 1 | 2.85x |
| Kilmory | 1 | 80.00x |
| Melrose | 1 | 45.25x |
| Newcastle Under Lyme | 1 | 11.83x |
| Old Monkland | 1 | 5.51x |
| Preston | 1 | 2.23x |
| St George Bloomsbury | 1 | 12.33x |
| Swansea Town | 1 | 4.95x |
| Tunstall | 1 | 47.85x |
| Walton In Wakefield | 1 | 333.33x |
| Wigan | 1 | 4.26x |
| Witton Gilbert | 1 | 60.24x |
| Woolwich | 1 | 5.61x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Riely 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 Riely 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 Riely households.
FAQ
In 1881, 145 people were recorded with the Riely surname. That placed it at #15,838 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 8 in 2016. That gives Riely a modern rank of #37,829.
Of Irish origin, meaning a descendant of Raghallaigh, a personal name meaning valorous or high-spirited.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Riely 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.