Surname Reidy - Meaning and Origin

Reidy: What does the surname Reidy mean?

Reidy is a surname of Irish origin, derived from the Gaelic name Ó Raghallaigh, which means "descendant of Raghallach." It is unclear precisely who the original Raghallach was, but the name is associated with notions of prosperity, fervor, or valiance. It originated from the Counties Donegal and Monaghan in the Northern part of Ireland and later spread across the region. But beyond its geographical and etymological origins, the surname Reidy, like many other surnames, does not carry a specific general meaning. It is significant primarily in how it identifies familial relationships and ancestral lineage. Notable people with the surname Reidy include Irish footballer Cillian Reidy, Australian swimmer Noelie Reidy, and Bishop of Kerry Bill Reidy. It's also possible that variations of surname Reidy exist in different cultures and languages, each with their own unique meanings and interpretations.

Reidy: Where does the name Reidy come from?

The last name Reidy is most commonly found in the United States, Canada, Australia, Ireland, and Scotland. It is an anglicized version of the Irish surname Mac Raith, which derives from the Gaelic 'Mac Raith'. This name is most commonly found in Ireland and Scotland, though it is by no means limited to them.

In the United States today, some of the more popular states in which you will find people with the last name Reidy are New York and Massachusetts. Both states have a substantial population of people of Irish ancestry, and this accounts for the presence of the last name in these states.

In Canada, the most popular places for Reidys are Ontario and the Maritime Provinces. As was the case in the United States, many of the Reidys found here are descended from Irish immigrants.

In Australia, Reidy is particularly common in Queensland and New South Wales, due to the many Irish settlers who moved to these areas during the 19th century.

Wherever you find Reidy’s today, they would typically trace their ancestry to the two main sources: Irish or Scottish. It is a testament to the power of immigration that so many Reidys continue to live in so many countries today.

Variations of the surname Reidy

Reidy is a surname of Irish origin that can be spelled a few different ways, including Reidy, Reidie, Reedy, and Reedie. These names all come from the same root Irish names, Ó Raidigh and Mac Giolla Riabhaigh, which can be translated to mean “descendant of a brave leader” and “son of a gray-haired one”, respectively.

Often, the names vary simply due to the wide range of English surnames derived from the same Irish names. A lot of Gaelic-inspired names were anglicized to their homophones in the 18th and 19th centuries due to the huge influx of Irish immigrants into the Americas. As a result, a lot of Irish names were misspelled or modernization to match the local language of the time.

Variants of Reidy may appear as ReIddy, Reedye, Reidee, or Reid. According to the World Names Profiler, a lot of the variants appear to be concentrated in the United Kingdom, so they could be British-English versions of the name.

Reidy is a unique surname with an ancient Irish heritage. Though there are many variants of the name, all versions stem from a line of brave and strong leaders.

Famous people with the name Reidy

• Amy Reidy: co-founder of The Luna Project, a women-led studio in Brooklyn, creating immersive experiences, art installations, and live events.
• Bevan Reidy: professional Australian rugby league player.
• Brian Reidy: Australian rugby league referee.
• Colin Reidy: professional Australian rules footballer.
• Dennis Reidy: retired English professional footballer.
• John Reidy: Irish former sprinter.
• Maureen Reidy: Irish netball player.
• Michael Reidy: Emmy award-winning composer and producer.
• Paul Reidy: professional Australian rules footballer.
• Riley Reidy: Australian former professional rugby league footballer.
• Robert Reidy: British rower who competed at the 1988 Summer Olympics.
• Sean Reidy: retired Irish rugby union player.
• Tim Reidy: former Australian rules footballer.
• Travis Reidy: American guitarist, bassist, and vocalist.
• Vanessa Reidy: award-winning Australian actor, writer, and voiceover artist.

Other surnames

ReidReidegeldReidenauerReidt