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REILLY Family History
Ó Raghaillaigh- anglicised O'Reilly and Reilly, Riley, earlier O Reely etc. 'descendant of Raghallach'. Origins for this first name have been claimed, e.g. Old Norse, introduced by Vikings (see Sean E. Quinn, 'Surnames in Ireland', 2000).In the top 12 for frequency in Ireland, this name has been most prevalent around its homeland in Co Cavan and adjacent areas. The family are related to the O'Rourkes, and were chiefs of Breifne, comprising the presesnt counties of Cavan and Leitrim. As their power grew in the late Middle Ages, their influence spread to parts of Westmeath and Meath.
They maintained considerable influence in the time of James 1, and it was only the ferocious Cromwellian 'expugnatio' that saw their fortunes diminish. However, in the mid 19th century they were still landlords in their native lands of Cavan, possessing, among them, 30,000 acres.
In terms of activity, the Reillys were powerful in the church, giving five Primates of Armagh, and in the military field, both in Ireland, as rebels and Fenians, and abroad, as 'Wild Geese'.
At a crucial moment in Irish history, (O) Reillys have stepped up to the mark: one of the most outstanding being Colonel Philip McHugh O Reilly (died c. 1655). He was elected chief of his sept and became an initiator and the leader of the 1641 'rebellion'. Attainted for treason, by the English government in 1642, he ended his days in Spanish service in the Netherlands. His family links are all resolutely sound: his wife, Rose O Neill, was sister to Owen Roe O Neill, Ulster's leading rebel, and his daughters married into the MacMahon and Maguire families.
In the 1659 'Census' of Sir William Petty, we would expect to find the name listed as a 'Principal Irish Name' in its home territories.
Co Cavan returns are, unfortunately, missing from the register.
Co Leitrim
38 Reyly families in the 'Baronies of Leitrin, Mohill & Carrigallen.
Co Longford
Barony of Ardagh, Reily, 29 families.
Co Westmeath
Barony of Demifoure, Relye, 13 families.
Co Meath
Barony of Duleek, Realy, 14 families; Scrine, Realy, 9 families.
By the time of Griffith's 'Primary Valuation' in the mid 19th century, most Reilly households were in counties Cavan 1759, Meath 579, Longford 384, Dublin county & city 322, Mayo 290 and Galway 233.
For O'Reilly in the same document, we have 122 for Co Cavan and 34 for Co Meath, and then descending numbers. This shows that the resumption of the 'O' is a relatively modern phenomenon.
A famous (O) Reilly:
John Boyle O'Reilly (1844-1890) born in Co Meath. He became a Fenian and was arrested and transported to Australia, where he fell in love with the warder's daughter! Sadly, this probably contributed to, or even caused, his attempted suicide. He escaped to the U.S.A. where he edited the Boston newspaper 'The Pilot'.
Appendix.
RAHILLY
Ó Raithile
A Co Kerry family.
'The O Rahilly' or Michael Joseph O Rahilly (1875-1916) born in Co Kerry. Irish Republican, although not a member of the I.R.B. He unsuccessfully tried to stop the 1916 Rising going ahead (according to the countermanding order of Volunteers' Chief-of-Staff, Eoin MacNeill). On failing to do this, he went out to join the leaders in the Liberty Hall. He was wounded in the fighting near the G.P.O. After the fighting was over, the British stretcher parties had orders to pass him by, and left him to bleed to death in the street.
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Reeley
Is Reeley really a Reilly? Please!
Melissa Reilly
I have flax growers noted in my Reilly tree. Edward O'Reilly born in 1777 was one. He had many children and one was Patrick. I do not know where he was born but I know he ended up in Carlow and married Winifred Noonan there. Are any of the siblings I have attached your kin?
Reilly
Thomas F. Reilly of Philadelphia. Noteworthy builder in Philadelphia, Pa. Particularly in the northeast suburban section where Wynnefield, Overbrook and Bala are located.
REILLY
THE REILLY'S I AM SEARCHING WERE FLAX FARMERS IN RATHROHEEN MAYO COUNTY IRELAND. THE EARLIEST ONE IS PATRICK REILLY BORN 1817 AND PASSED AWAY IN ABOUT 1902. HE HAD A SON PATRICK BORN 1869,WHO WAS MY GRANDMOTHER'S BROTHER, HE MAY HAVE DIED INTHE 1950 ERA.
Pat Baldwin
John Reilly, born 1790, migrated to Canada from Ireland to Toronto, Ontario Canada. He had a son, Thomas C. Reilly, B. 1809, daughter Rebecca Reilly, b. 1815, son John G Reilly, b. 1819 and daughter Mary A Reilly b. 1820. My direct line is through the son, John G Reilly, b. 1819 In Cavan, Toronto Canada, and who later moved to moved to Buffalo New York. John G Reilly had a son Silas Wright Reilly B. 1850 in Buffalo NY., who had a son John Gillespie Reilly, b. 1871 in Buffalo NY., whose son was my father, John Edwin Reilly, b. 1911 In NYC, NY.. I have been told the first Reilly came from County Caven, Ireland, but cannot verify this.
The siblings of the first John Reilly also lived in Buffalo NY.
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