316 Global REAVEY Family Members

REAVEY Family History

Recorded in an amazing number of spellings, some of which appear to bear little relationship to each other, this is a confused Irish surname of great antiquity. The spellings include McAreevy, McGreavy, McGreevy, McGrievy, McCrevy, McCreevy, McIlrea, McRavey, O' Reavey, Creevy, Kilrea, Ravey, Reavey, Revey, Reevey, Revie, and possibly others. Although in the 21st century almost entirely found in the north of Ireland, it originates from the pre 10th century Gaelic Mag Riabhach or sometimes O' Riabhach, meaning 'The son (or male descendant) of the grey one', and was popular throughout the island of Ireland. As to why somebody should be referred to as the grey one is unclear but is probably a reference to a member of a religious order, a friar perhaps as they wore grey...