Reilly or Reily? Did spelling count in 1870?

[s1nead]

I understand that spelling was not really stanardized until the 1900s but ~

Did spelling count in 1870?

I have recently discovered the crypt of my great great grandmother in Ballyea South Cemetery.

In the inscription, our last name was spelled with one "L" ~ Reily.

I presume that my great great grandfather was responsible for writing it and, as a prominent person, I can not understand this misspelling .....

Since this is the first concrete piece of information i have found for them, I wondered if I'd find more if i searched for "Reily" rather than "Reilly".

However, that is not the case........ nothing new turned up with this new keyword.

I have found LOTS of information about his son ~ my great grandfather ~ using REILLY ..... so I am very confused wondering WHY his father spelled the name differently when EVERYTHING about his son used the other spelling ...

So, my question remains ~ does the spelling even matter?

Any ideas WHY he used only one "L" when the name is always spelled with two?

Am I making far too much out of this discrepancy?

Thank you!

[Declan Barron]

Yes I believe you are making too much of the difference.

[s1nead]

Really?
OK ~ that was my question....

That is exactly what I was wondering.
Thanks!