where does the last name riley originate from
Riley (given name) Though originally a given name, it is more popular and well known as a surname. The surname's first variant is Ó Raghallaigh (Descendent of/Of Raghallach) which was later adapted in English as O'Reilly which itself has been anglicized into "Reilly". The surname "Riley" is an over time translated version of Reilly. It currently is #8 in England and Wales, #9 in Northern Ireland, #15 in Scotland, #30 in Australia and New Zealand, #64 in Canada, #156 in the United States, and #198 in the Netherlands.