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 Ryley family records.Start a 14-Day Free Trial

Ryley Family History

Ryley Surname Meaning

English and Irish: variant of Riley.

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 Ryley family from?

You can see how Ryley families moved over time by selecting different census years. The Ryley family name was found in the USA, the UK, Canada, and Scotland between 1840 and 1920. The most Ryley families were found in USA in 1880. In 1891 there were 206 Ryley families living in Lancashire. This was about 30% of all the recorded Ryley's in United Kingdom. Lancashire had the highest population of Ryley families in 1891.
Use census records and voter lists to see where families with the Ryley 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 Ryley ancestors do for a living?

In 1939, Incapacitated and Unpaid Domestic Duties were the top reported jobs for men and women in the United Kingdom named Ryley. 13% of Ryley men worked as an Incapacitated and 80% of Ryley women worked as an Unpaid Domestic Duties. Some less common occupations for Americans named Ryley were Hosiery Manufacturer and Incapacitated.

View Census Data for Ryley | 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

  • Incapacitated
    13%
  • Insurance Agent
    13%
  • Steam Engine Fitter
    9%
  • Hosiery Manufacturer
    9%

Top Female Occupations In 1939

  • Unpaid Domestic Duties
    80%
  • Private Means
    6%
  • Housewife
    4%
  • Incapacitated
    3%

What Ryley family records will you find?

Census Records

There are 18,000 census records available for the last name Ryley. Like a window into their day-to-day life, Ryley census records can tell you where and how your ancestors worked, their level of education, veteran status, and more.

Search UK census records for Ryley

Passenger Lists

There are 3,000 immigration records available for the last name Ryley. 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 Ryley immigration records

Draft Cards

There are 1,000 military records available for the last name Ryley. For the veterans among your Ryley ancestors, military collections provide insights into where and when they served, and even physical descriptions.

View all Ryley military records

You've only scratched the surface of Ryley family history

Discover More

What is the average Ryley lifespan?

Between 1947 and 2004, in the United States, Ryley life expectancy was at its lowest point in 1947, and highest in 2000. The average life expectancy for Ryley in 1947 was 49, and 71 in 2004.

View Social Security Death Index (SSDI) for Ryley

An unusually short lifespan might indicate that your Ryley 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 Ryley family tree

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