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Ireland / Reilly vs O'Reilly
« on: Friday 29 April 11 04:18 BST (UK) »
When they came to the U.S., Reilly and O'Reilly was spelled every which way, ex. Riley and O'Riley.
What spelling was the norm in Ireland in the mid 1800s and why the difference (and usage)reasons between Reilly and O'Reilly?
My gggrandfather Patrick O'Riley was said to have changed his surname to Reilly (after arriving in the U.S.) because it was "more elegant".
Should it have been Reilly or O'Reilly to begin with?
What spelling was the norm in Ireland in the mid 1800s and why the difference (and usage)reasons between Reilly and O'Reilly?
My gggrandfather Patrick O'Riley was said to have changed his surname to Reilly (after arriving in the U.S.) because it was "more elegant".
Should it have been Reilly or O'Reilly to begin with?