Rieley

Rieley is a British surname with ancient origins. This surname is of locational origin, deriving from the village of Riley in Northumberland, England. The village's name is thought to come from the Old English words "ryge" meaning rye, and "leah" meaning a clearing, suggesting a settlement where rye was grown.

The first recorded instance of the surname Rieley dates back to the 13th century in the county of Northumberland. Over time, the surname spread across the United Kingdom and beyond as individuals migrated for various reasons, such as employment opportunities or religious freedom.

The Rieley surname is found in various spellings, including Riley, Ryley, and Reiley, reflecting changes in regional accents and dialects. Those bearing the surname have made notable contributions to various fields, including literature, arts, sciences, and public service.

Today, individuals with the surname Rieley can be found across the UK and in countries around the world, carrying on the heritage of their ancestors from the village of Riley in Northumberland.

There are approximately 128 people named Rieley in the UK. That makes it one of Britain's least common surnames. Only around two in a million people in Britain are named Rieley.

Typical given names associated with the surname

Male

  • Andrew
  • Brendan
  • Christopher
  • David
  • Fergus
  • James
  • John
  • Michael
  • Neil
  • Stephen
  • Thomas

Female

  • Alice
  • Elizabeth
  • Emma
  • Fiona
  • Janet
  • Joy
  • Margaret
  • Rebecca
  • Shirley
  • Tina

Similar and related surnames

Related and similar names are generated algorithmically based on the spelling, and may not necessarily share an etymology.

BritishSurnames.uk is a Good Stuff website.