Tierney Explained
Tierney is an Irish surname, and a female given name.
The name is an Anglicized form of the Irish language surname Irish: Ó Tiarnaigh (literally "Descendant of Tiarnach"; historically spelt Irish: Ó Tighearnaigh), derived from Irish: [[tiarna]], the Irish word for 'lord' or 'master'. It is sometimes a variant of Tiernan (Irish: Mac Tiarnáin|link=no).[1]
Families
Five unrelated families of the name arose in Gaelic Ireland, in what is now County Clare, County Mayo, County Monaghan, County Meath, and County Tipperary.
Ó Tighearnaigh of Cenél nEógain
This family lived in the territory of Fearnmuigh or Fearnmaigh [which means 'the territory of the plain'], in an area in South Monaghan/South Armagh that is the present Barony of Farney, whose principal town is Carrickmacross.[2]
Ó Tighearnaigh of Uí Fiachrach Muaidhe
This family were Lords of Carra. Almost the only family member recorded in the annals was Flann Ó Tighearnaigh. Gilbert Ó Tigernaig, Bishop of Annaghdown (1306–1323), was also a member of this family.
Ó Tighearnaigh of Brega
This family claimed descent from Tigernach mac Fócartai (died 865), one of the Kings of Brega. They were a branch of the southern Uí Néill. "The Kingdom is said to have stretched from Birr in County Offaly to the Hill of Uishneach in Westmeath. Tighearnach resided at the Great Crannóg of Lagore, which is situated near Ratoath in County Meath, not far from Dublin. Tighearnach led the Irish to a great victory over the Norse Vikings in 848 A.D."
Ó Tighearnaigh of Ormond
A family of the name resided in Ormond, now County Tipperary. Their origins are obscure. New research now confirms that this family was indeed an indigenous sept. Their seat was in the townland of Park and their lands, Fearann Ó Tighearnaigh, took in most of the present-day townlands of Ballymackey, Ballyknockane, Carrowea, Clash, Falleen, Gortnadrumman, Kilgorteen and Knockane.
Ó Tighearnaigh of Corcu Modruad
This is an area in northern County Clare. This sept were hereditary priests and monks.
Notable people with the surname
In arts and media
Film, television, and theatre
In music
- Andrew Tierney (born 1974), Australian singer-songwriter of band Human nature
- Garrett Tierney, bass guitar and vocals in band 'brand new'
- Harry Tierney (1890–1965), American composer of musical theatre
- Michael Tierney (musician) (born 1977), member of Australian band Human Nature
- Mick Pyro, Irish musician, born Michael Tierney
- Vivian Tierney (born 1957), English operatic soprano
In other media
Government, law, and politics
- Darren Tierney, British civil servant, Director General for Propriety and Ethics
- Frank A. Tierney, Deputy Commissioner under the Workmen's Compensation act
- Gayle Tierney, Australian politician, Labor party
- George Tierney (1761–1830), English Whig politician
- James Tierney (politician) (born 1947), Attorney General of Maine
- James Tierney Jr. American republican politician,Representative from New Hampshire
- John Tierney (Australian politician) (born 1946), Liberal senator
- John Tierney (Irish politician) (born 1951)
- John F. Tierney (born 1951), United States Representative from Massachusetts
- John H. Tierney (1832–1907), American politician and farmer
- John J. Tierney (1926–2005), American Boston city council member
- Joseph M. Tierney (1941–2009), American politician, father of Maura Tierney
- Michael Tierney (politician) (1894–1975), professor at University College Dublin
- Patrick Tierney (Irish politician) (1904–1990), Irish Labour party politician
- Peter Tierney Murrell (born 1964), CEO of the Scottish National Party
- Susan Tierney (born 1951), American academic and Government policy administrator
- Sydney Tierney (1923–2010), British Labour Party politician
- Thomas Tierney (1916–1998), Irish mayor of Galway, Ireland
- Thomas M. Tierney (1919–2001), American administrator of the Bureau of Health Insurance
- Tim Tierney (born 1974), Canadian councillor and politician
- William Tierney Robarts (1786–1820), British politician and businessman
- William L. Tierney (1876–1958), Democratic member of the US House of Representatives
In sport
In football
- Chris Tierney (soccer) (born 1986), American footballer
- Fergus Tierney (born 2003), Scottish born Malaysian footballer, Johor Darul Ta'zim III F.C.
- Francis Tierney (born 1975), English footballer with Doncaster Rovers
- Gary Tierney (born 1986), Scottish football (soccer) player
- Grant Tierney (born 1961), Scottish footballer
- Jim Tierney (footballer) (born 1940), Scottish footballer
- Kieran Tierney (born 1997), footballer for Celtic Glasgow, Arsenal
- Lawrie Tierney (1959–2011), Scottish football (soccer) player
- Marc Tierney (born 1985), English footballer (soccer)
- Martin Tierney (born 1966), Scottish footballer (Ayr United) and TV pundit
- Neil Tierney, Australian rugby league footballer
- Paul Tierney (footballer) (born 1982 in England), Irish football (soccer) player
- Ross Tierney (born 2001), Irish footballer
- Ryan Tierney, Scottish footballer
- Sam Tierney (born 1998), English footballer for Leicester City
- Tommy Tierney, English footballer
In Gaelic football and hurling
In rugby
In other sports
- Bill Tierney (baseball) (1858–1898), with Cincinnati red stockings
- Chris Tierney (ice hockey) (born 1994), Canadian hockey player
- Cotton Tierney (1894–1953), American baseball second and third baseman
- Erin Tierney (born 1970), Cook Islander female Olympic sprinter
- Festus Tierney (1899–1973), American NFL guard with Toledo Maroons
- Jack Tierney (1893–1968), American basketball player and coach
- Jade Tierney (born 2004), Cook Islander Olympic canoeist
- James Tierney (footballer) (1878–1959), Australian rules footballer
- Joe Tierney (1903–2004), American sprinter at the 1928 Olympics
- John Tierney (cricketer) (born 1964), English cricketer
- John Tierney (rower), American rower
- Meghan Tierney, US Olympic snowboarder
- Paul Tierney (hurler) (born 1982), Irish hurler and ultrarunner
- Shea Tierney (born 1986), American football and coach for New York giants
- Tim Tierney (American football) (1943–2012), American football player and coach
- Tom Tierney (Kilkenny hurler) (1894–1984), Irish hurler
- Trevor Tierney, American Lacrosse goaltender and coach
- Bill Tierney, lacrosse coach
In business
- Brian Tierney (born 1957), American businessman and newspaper publisher
- Michael Tierney (born 1989), American businessman, founder of Stuffed Puffs
- Paul E. Tierney (born 1943), American business professor and venture capitalist
- Thomas J. Tierney (born 1954), business executive, chairman of eBay
In education
In religion
In science
In other fields
Fictional characters
Notable people with the given name
See also
Notes and References
- Web site: McTiernan family crest and meaning of the coat of arms for the surname McTiernan, McTiernan name origin .
- Web site: A Brief History.
