Surname Rily - Meaning and Origin

Rily: What does the surname Rily mean?

The surname Rily is of Irish origin, derived from the Gaelic name "Ó Raghallaigh," meaning descendent of Raghallach. The name Ragallach is said to be compound of two Gaelic words, “ragh” meaning race and “ceallach” meaning sociable. So, indirectly, it can also mean 'Descendants of the Sociable Race'. It was originally a patronymic, identifying the bearer as a son or descendant of Raghallach. This name was borne by several legendary and historical figures, including a 6th-century king of Connacht. Other variants of the surname include O’Reilly, Reilly, and Riley. As families emigrated, the spelling of the surname often changed to suit the phonetics of different languages, hence the diverse variations of the name. It encapsulates a sense of sociability and leadership, reflecting the influence and standing of the Gaelic chieftains who bore the name throughout Ireland’s history. Like many Irish family names, it potentially also carries the tale of centuries of Irish emigration.

Rily: Where does the name Rily come from?

The last name Rily can be found in many different countries around the world, including in the United States, Canada, Britain, Germany, Australia, New Zealand, and many others. In the United States, the most common states with the last name Rily are Texas, Virginia, Montana, South Dakota, Oklahoma, Illinois, Pennsylvania and Maryland.

In Texas, the largest population of individuals with the last name Rily can be found in the major metropolitan areas, such as Houston, Dallas, San Antonio, and Austin. According to a 2020 review from the United States Census Bureau, Texas has approximately 8,731 individuals with the last name Rily.

Virginia also has a relatively large population of individuals with the last name Rily, with approximately 2,994 individuals living in the state at the time of the 2020 review. The largest concentrations of people with the last name Rily in Virginia can be found in the Richmond, Charlottesville and Northern Virginia regions.

Although it is a relatively uncommon last name, individuals with the last name Rily can be found living in a range of different countries across the world. With concentrations in the major metropolitan areas in Texas and Virginia, the last name Rily is likely to continue to grow in popularity in the United States in the years to come.

Variations of the surname Rily

The surname Rily (or Reilly/Rielly/Rilley) can be traced to several origins. Some of the variant spellings of the name Rily are associated with Irish, Scottish, and English roots, while others are associated with Nordic, Germanic, and Slavic origins.

Variants of Rily with Irish origins include Reill, Riley, Reilley, ReiLEY, Rial, Relyea, ReaLY, Ryall, Ryle, O'Reilly, O'Riley, O'Rielly, and Reilly. All of these variations can be traced to the Gaelic surname "O'Raghallaigh," which literally means "descendant of Riagal." The variants with the prefix O' are most commonly used by families of that Irish background.

Variants of Rily with Scottish roots include Ral, Raely, Rile, Rayley, Rylie, Ryley, Rylee, Rylait, Ryllie, and Ryleigh. These variations all derive from the Gaelic "Raghailleach" or "O'Reachtghaileach," meaning "descendant of the chief of the storm."

Variants of Rily with English origins include Rely, Royals, Rolley, Ryles, Ryley, Rolle, Rawley, Rolley, Cyril, Raleigh, Railley, and Royall. These surnames can be traced back to the Middle English words "reið" (riding) or "rele" (rye).

Variants of Rily with Nordic or Germanic origins include Rylan, Ryleen, Rilen, Reil, Rylanne, Ryleen, Rylyn, Rilon, Rylin, and Rylun. Many of these variants may be associated with ancient Scandinavian and Germanic terms, such as "hrothi" (glory), "run" (secret) or "nold" (brave).

Variants of Rily with Slavic origins include Rél, Reel, Riell, Rehill, Rehilly, Ryhll, and Rayhl. These surnames are thought to be related to medieval Slovenian and Czech terms such as "rahel" (Earth) and "rhael" (demons).

In conclusion, the various spellings, variant forms, and other surnames associated with the Rily surname can all be traced to multiple origins, including Irish, Scottish, English, Nordic, Germanic, and Slavic sources.

Famous people with the name Rily

• Emily Rilay: Canadian actress, known for her roles in the TV seriesiar Life and Dance Ac3demy.
• Mason Riley: American Olympic swimmer who competed in the 2012 London Olympics.
• Lisa Rily: American actress best known for her roles in Criminal Intent and Street Urchin Madonna.
• Jake Rily: American basketball player, currently playing for the Denver Nuggets.
• Jane Riley: British actor who has appeared in the TV series The Crown and The Bletchley Circle
• Ty Rily: Canadian singer-songwriter, known for hit singles like "Like the Wind" and "Let Me Be".
• Mark Rily: British actor and comedic performer, best known for his roles on Mr. Bean and his stand-up comedy.
• Sarah Rily: American actress and dancer, best known for her roles in the Hollywood films Bring it On and Step Up 2
• Gloria Rily: Canadian actress, known for her portrayal of Miriam Laveen on the television show Secrets and Lies.
• Devin Rily: American rapper and producer, known for his work with the likes of Travis Scott and Kid Cudi.

Other surnames

RileRilesRileyRilski