TIERNEY
Tierney
Tierney is an Irish surname of Gaelic origin, derived from the Old Gaelic name "O Tighearnaigh", meaning "descendant of Tighearnaigh". The name is predominantly found in Ireland, particularly in County Galway and County Clare. However, it has also spread to England and other English-speaking countries.
Origins and Meaning
The name Tighearnaigh translates to "lord" or "master" in English. It is believed to have been a personal name given to a noble or respected individual in ancient Gaelic society. As a surname, Tierney indicates a familial connection to an ancestor named Tighearnaigh.
Distribution and Variations
Variants of the surname Tierney include Tiarney, Tearney, and Teirney. The name is most common in Ireland, especially in the provinces of Connacht and Munster. Tierney emigrants have also settled in the United States, Canada, and Australia, contributing to the global dispersion of the name.
Notable Individuals
1. Liam Tierney (1938-2005)
- Renowned Irish poet and playwright known for his contributions to modern Irish literature.
2. Helen Tierney (born 1952)
- British historian and author specialising in medieval art and architecture.
Legacy
The Tierney name carries a sense of heritage and tradition, reflecting a connection to the ancient Gaelic roots of Ireland. Through migration and the passage of time, the Tierney surname has become a part of various cultures, symbolising resilience and adaptability in the face of historical changes.
References
- MacLysaght, Edward. The Surnames of Ireland. Irish Academic Press, 1991.
- Hanks, Patrick, et al., editors. The Oxford Dictionary of Family Names in Britain and Ireland. Oxford University Press, 2016.
There are approximately 7,476 people named Tierney in the UK. That makes it roughly the 1,254th most common surname in Britain. Around 115 in a million people in Britain are named Tierney.
Origin: Celtic
Region of origin: British Isles
Country of origin: Ireland
Religion of origin: Christian
Language of origin: Gaelic
Typical given names associated with the surname
Male
- Christopher
- David
- James
- John
- Mark
- Michael
- Patrick
- Paul
- Stephen
- Thomas
Female
- Anne
- Catherine
- Elizabeth
- Emma
- Jacqueline
- Julie
- Karen
- Margaret
- Mary
- Michelle
- Patricia
- Pauline
- Susan
Similar and related surnames
- Tearney
- Tarney
- Tawney
- Teirney
- Tairney
- Teerney
- Tearny
- Tarny
- Tearne
- Daranyi
- Dariany
- Darney
- Dearney
- Dearny
- Deiraniya
- Deraney
- Derney
- Derny
- Dornay
- Dorney
- Dorny
- Dornyei
- Dourney
- Drainey
- Draney
- Dreney
- Drenny
- Droney
- Druny
- Duranay
- Durnay
- Durney
- Durny
- Tarne
- Tarnoy
- Tearn
- Teirnay
- Teriney
- Tern
- Ternay
- Ternes
- Terney
- Ternie
- Terny
- Tiearney
- Tiernay
- Tierny
- Tirney
- Tornay
- Torne
- Torney
- Torny
- Tourigny
- Tournay
- Tourne
- Tourney
- Traney
- Trawny
- Treny
- Tuorney
- Turnay
- Turne
- Turney
- Turnie
- Turny
- Tyronney
Related and similar names are generated algorithmically based on the spelling, and may not necessarily share an etymology.