Re: Does Rahilly mean - - - Reilly?
-
In reply to:
Re: Does Rahilly mean - - - Reilly?
9/29/00
my great grandfather changes the spelling of the family name from Rahilly (or O'Rahilly) to Ó Rathaille - this is the Irish spelling of the name - the English spelling is Rahilly, (same pronounciation - the 't' is silent in irish when followed by a 'h') - So my understanding is that some Rahillys did end up being called Reilly or Riley, but they were originally two distinct family names. (and Reilly is NOT the english spelling of Rahilly...)
as far as i know:
Reilly in Irish is Ó Raghallaigh and was based in Counties Cavan and Westmeath.
Rahilly in Irish is Ó Rathaille and was based in County Kerry.