This page needs Javascript enabled in order to work properly. Click here for instructions on how to enable it in your browser.
Surname Header Image
Get access to Reilly family records.Start a 14-Day Free Trial

Reilly Family History

Reilly Surname Meaning

Irish: from Ó Raghailligh see O'Reilly.

Source: Dictionary of American Family Names 2nd edition, 2022


Similar surnames: 

Search for a relative to learn more about your family history.

Hint: Try searching for a relative alive in 1940.

Where is the Reilly family from?

You can see how Reilly families moved over time by selecting different census years. The Reilly family name was found in the USA, the UK, Canada, and Scotland between 1840 and 1920. The most Reilly families were found in USA in 1880. In 1891 there were 517 Reilly families living in Lancashire. This was about 37% of all the recorded Reilly's in United Kingdom. Lancashire had the highest population of Reilly families in 1891.
Use census records and voter lists to see where families with the Reilly surname lived. Within census records, you can often find information like name of household members, ages, birthplaces, residences, and occupations.
Mapbox
© Mapbox © OpenStreetMap Improve this map

What did your Reilly ancestors do for a living?

In 1939, General Labourer and Unpaid Domestic Duties were the top reported jobs for men and women in the United Kingdom named Reilly. 18% of Reilly men worked as a General Labourer and 62% of Reilly women worked as an Unpaid Domestic Duties. Some less common occupations for Americans named Reilly were Dock Labourer and Domestic Servant.

View Census Data for Reilly | Data not to scale

*We display top occupations by gender to maintain their historical accuracy during times when men and women often performed different jobs.

Top Male Occupations In 1939

  • General Labourer
    18%
  • Builders Labourer
    8%
  • General Labourer Heavy Worker
    3%
  • Dock Labourer
    3%

Top Female Occupations In 1939

  • Unpaid Domestic Duties
    62%
  • Unpaid Domestic
    4%
  • Housewife
    3%
  • Domestic Servant
    2%

What Reilly family records will you find?

Census Records

There are 291,000 census records available for the last name Reilly. Like a window into their day-to-day life, Reilly census records can tell you where and how your ancestors worked, their level of education, veteran status, and more.

Search UK census records for Reilly

Passenger Lists

There are 94,000 immigration records available for the last name Reilly. Passenger lists are your ticket to knowing when your ancestors arrived in the UK, and how they made the journey - from the ship name to ports of arrival and departure.

View all Reilly immigration records

Draft Cards

There are 64,000 military records available for the last name Reilly. For the veterans among your Reilly ancestors, military collections provide insights into where and when they served, and even physical descriptions.

View all Reilly military records

You've only scratched the surface of Reilly family history

Discover More

What is the average Reilly lifespan?

Between 1940 and 2004, in the United States, Reilly life expectancy was at its lowest point in 1945, and highest in 2003. The average life expectancy for Reilly in 1940 was 41, and 76 in 2004.

View Social Security Death Index (SSDI) for Reilly

An unusually short lifespan might indicate that your Reilly ancestors lived in harsh conditions. A short lifespan might also indicate health problems that were once prevalent in your family. The SSDI is a searchable database of more than 70 million names. You can find birthdates, death dates, addresses and more.

Discover the unique achievements of ancestors in the Reilly family tree

Explore Your Tree
Search for another surname
Enter last name/surname
Start a 14-Day Free Trial