REILLY
Reilly is a surname of Irish origin, derived from the Gaelic patronymic Ó Raghallaigh, meaning “descendant of Raghallach.” Raghallach is thought to have been taken from the word ragh, which translates as “race” or “progeny.” The name is therefore a statement of descent from an ancestor whose personal name reflected lineage.
The Reillys are historically associated with the ancient Irish kingdom of Breifne, a territory that encompassed parts of what are now County Cavan and County Leitrim. Their ancestral lands lay around Lough Oughter in County Cavan, and as the family gained prominence they extended their influence into County Westmeath and County Longford. The clan is likewise linked to the mainholding of the O’Connor dynasty, for the Reillys were kinsmen of the kings of Connacht through their ancestor Conchobhar.
One of the earliest known regional foundations attributed to a Reilly is the Franciscan Abbey at Cavan, established by Giolla Iosa O’Reilly. In the centuries that followed, the abbey recorded at least thirty‑nine O’Reilly abbots, and five members of the family rose to the office of Archbishop of Armagh, the primate of all Ireland. This demonstrates the family’s significant ecclesiastical influence in medieval Ireland.
In the early modern period, an O’Reilly distinguished himself both abroad and at home. Count Alexander O’Reilly, originally from County Meath, served first in the Austrian army, then in the Spanish army, and ultimately became Governor of the French colony of Louisiana. He died in 1797 while in office, illustrating the international reach of the family.
The Reillys were also known for their financial acumen. In the fifteenth century they issued their own coinage, and the term “Reilly” came to designate a coin of usable value. This economic capacity contributed to the clan’s reputation as astute financiers during the medieval period.
The family’s coat of arms, still associated with the name today, is a green shield bearing two gold lions rampant combatant. These lions support a dexter hand couped at the wrist, erect and rusted bloody, rendered in proper heraldic colours. Such imagery reflects the martial heritage and noble aspirations of the clan.
The first recorded spelling of the surname appears in a 1237 entry in the records of Lough Oughter Monastery. In that document the name is shown as that of Cathal O’Reilly, Prince of Breffny. This medieval reference confirms the antiquity of the name and its association with the ruling families of Breffny.
In contemporary times, Reilly remains a popular surname in Ireland, ranking among the most frequent names in the country. The name is also widespread among the Irish diaspora, occurring commonly in the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, Australia, and other regions historically settled by Irish emigrants. Its continued prevalence reflects the lasting legacy of a family whose ancestry can be traced back to the early Gaelic kingdoms of the British Isles.
Typical given names associated with the Reilly surname
Male
- Christopher
- David
- James
- John
- Michael
- Patrick
- Paul
- Peter
- Stephen
- Thomas
Female
- Angela
- Anne
- Catherine
- Elizabeth
- Jacqueline
- Margaret
- Mary
- Patricia
- Sarah
- Susan
Similar and related surnames
- Railey
- Railie
- Railley
- Raillie
- Railly
- Raily
- Raley
- Ralley
- Ralli
- Rally
- Raly
- Ralys
- Realey
- Reali
- Realis
- Reall
- Really
- Realy
- Reeley
- Reelly
- Reely
- Rehill
- Reighley
- Reighly
- Reihl
- Reil
- Reiley
- Reilie
- Reill
- Reille
- Reilley
- Reily
- Relay
- Reley
- Relia
- Relis
- Rell
- Relle
- Relley
- Rellie
- Rellis
- Relly
- Rely
- Relyea
- Reyley
- Reyly
- Riehl
- Rieley
- Riell
- Riella
- Rielley
- Riello
- Rielly
- Riely
- Riley
- Rill
- Rilley
- Rily
- Rolley
- Rowley
- Ryley
Related and similar names are generated algorithmically based on the spelling, and may not necessarily share an etymology.
How to communicate the surname Reilly in...
Braille
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Morse
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Semaphore
Did you know?
According to a survey carried out by Democracy Club, politicians and candidates with the surname Reilly are most likely to say that their favourite biscuit is a Penguin.
There are approximately 18,758 people named Reilly in the UK. That makes it the 463rd most common surname in Britain. Around 288 in a million people in Britain are named Reilly.
Origin: Celtic
Region of origin: British Isles
Country of origin: Ireland
Religion of origin: Christian
Language of origin: Gaelic
Famous people named Reilly
- Kelly Reilly - Actress
- Maggie Reilly - Singer
- Georgina Reilly - Actress
- John C. Reilly - American actor
- Vini Reilly - Musician
- Charles Nelson Reilly - American comedian and actor (1931 to 2007)
- Jim Reilly - Musician
- Gavin Reilly - Scottish football player
- Callum Reilly - Football player
- Thomas Reilly - Football player
- Tommy Reilly - Singer-songwriter
- Mal Reilly - Rugby league football player and coach
- George Reilly - Scottish football player
- Ted Reilly - Actor
- Rose Reilly - Scottish-Italian football player
- Andy Reilly - Football player
- Bernard Rawdon Reilly - Diplomat (1882 to 1966)
- Jack Reilly - Australian soccer player
- Lewis Reilly - Professional football player
- Paul Reilly - Rugby league player
Names and descriptions courtesy of Wikipedia, and may contain errors. This is not intended to be an exhaustive list of every famous person with this name.