Summary

The surname Riley is of English origin and is derived from the old English words 'ryge' meaning rye, and 'leah' meaning clearing or meadow. It was originally a topographical surname given to someone who lived near or worked in a rye meadow. Riley can also be a variant spelling of the Irish surname Reilly, which means 'valiant' or 'courageous'.
There are
133872
Rileys in the USA
Riley is the
217th
most common last name in the USA

Historical figures and celebrities called Riley

BridgetRiley

Bridget Riley is an English artist known for her op art paintings that create optical illusions and explore the interaction of color and form.

RileyKeough

Riley Keough is an American actress and model, known for her roles in films like 'Mad Max: Fury Road' and the TV series 'The Girlfriend Experience.' She is the daughter of Lisa Marie Presley and the eldest grandchild of Elvis Presley.

BillRiley

Bill Riley is an American television presenter and host, best known for his work on the Iowa State Fair coverage and the show 'Bill Riley's Iowa State Fair Talent Championship.'

MarcRiley

Marc Riley is an English musician, radio presenter, and former member of the post-punk band The Fall. He currently hosts 'The Marc Riley Show' on BBC Radio 6 Music.

PatriciaRiley

Patricia Riley was an American actress and performer, known for her work on the Broadway stage and her role as 'Mammy Yokum' in the musical 'Li'l Abner.'

RileySmith

Riley Smith is an American actor and musician, known for his roles in TV shows like '24,' 'Nashville,' and 'Frequency.' He has also released music as a solo artist.

RachelRiley

Rachel Riley is an English television presenter and mathematician, best known for co-presenting the game show 'Countdown' and appearing on the panel show '8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown.'

BobbieRiley

Bobbie Riley was an American football player who played as an offensive tackle for the Oakland Raiders and the Los Angeles Raiders in the NFL.

RileyMartin

Riley Martin was an American radio personality, author, and self-proclaimed alien abductee. He gained notoriety for his appearances on 'The Howard Stern Show.'

RileyMcAtee

Riley McAtee is an American sports writer and journalist, known for his work as a staff writer at The Ringer, covering various sports topics and events.

Riley Genealogy

OriginsThe name 'Riley' is of Irish origin and is derived from the Gaelic name O'Reilly. It is a patronymic surname meaning 'descendant of Reilly,' with Reilly being a variant of the name Raghailleach, meaning 'valiant.' The O'Reilly clan were historically a powerful Gaelic Irish family.
Geographic DistributionThe surname 'Riley' is most commonly found in countries with significant Irish diaspora, such as the United States, Canada, Australia, and the United Kingdom. There are also concentrations of the name in Ireland itself.
VariationsVariations of the surname 'Riley' include 'O'Reilly,' 'Reilly,' 'Rielly,' 'Riely,' 'Reily,' 'Ryley,' 'O'Reilley,' and 'Rielly.'
Migration and ImmigrationThe name 'Riley' has been carried by Irish immigrants to various countries, especially during periods of Irish emigration, such as the Great Famine in the mid-19th century.