A cautionary note for A gathering of REIDYs

Improper spellings and recordings are frequent. The results can be confusing and misleading. Although this is a common problem in Genealogy, it may be even more confusing for this name.

For example, READY is a common spelling variant of REIDY (derived from O’Riada) but it may also be used for REDDY (derived from O’Rodaigh). If you know something of the geographic origins of the family, that may help sort things out in a specific case as the O’Riada are a Dalcassian sept found mainly in the west of Ireland whereas the O’Rodaigh are based in Kilkenny. REEDY may be just a spelling variant but is often derived from Mac Riada (in Donegal) or Mac Conriada (in Derry). More details (and a fuller and more accurate explanation) can be found in MacLysaght’s The Surnames of Ireland . Other surnames also seem to be mixed up with REIDY. To say the least, the situation is very confusing.

To add an international dimension to the problem, there are similar or identical names with non-Irish origins. For example , you’ll find several German/Swiss families named REIDY, RIEDY, or REEDY. See Reedy.org for information on Reedy/Riedi families, mostly of PA and VA (USA) with Swiss/German origins.

My approach to this page is to be inclusive. I think that is be more useful and interesting. If I go back just 3 or 4 generations in my family, I see the spellings REIDY, RIEDY, READY, and REEDY. It seems quite possible that you could have cousins spelling their names differently. It is also interesting to see the variety of people with similar names.

You also might want to look at my SURNAMES page if this interests you.