Irish Surname - Tierney
Tierney is an Irish surname derived from the Gaelic O'Tighearnaigh. The name comes from 'tighearna' meaning 'lord' or 'master, consequently O'Tighearnaigh means the son or male descendant of Tighearnach.
The earliest records of the surname were found in County Limerick in the early 18th century. For example, in 1735 John Tierny married Ann Young, at Limerick Cathedral, County Limerick. Other records from various church registers include the christening of James Tierny, on June 4th 1741, at Limerick Cathedral; the christening of Penelope Tierney on April 17th 1754, at St. Olave's, Hart Street, London; and Patrick Tiernaney who left Liverpool bound for New York on the ship Marmion on May 18th 1847.
In the mid-19th century, approx 900 Tierney households were distributed across the central third of Ireland - these were most numerous in Tipperary (151) and Galway (111). Today the surname is still widespread in County Galway. The surname is sometimes confused with Tiernan in Mayo.
Noteable People with Tierney as their Surname
Lawrence Tierney (1919 - 2002) was an American actor born in Brooklyn, New York, to an Irish-American policeman Lawrence Tierney and his wife Mary. He was best known for his many screen portrayals of mobsters and tough guys, some of which mirrored his own frequent brushes with the law. He appeared in countless films including Hill Street Blues, Murphy's Law, The Naked Gun, Reservoir Dogs, Armageddon and some episodes of Star Trek.
New York born actress Gene Tierney (1920 - 1991) was a Best Actress Oscar nominee and leading star of the silver screen. She was offered an acting contract at 17 while visiting Warner Bros Studios. She appeared in many films including Laura, The Ghost and Mrs Muir, Heaven Can Wait, and Leave Her to Heaven.
Tierney Surname Variations
Tierney, Tierny, O'Tierney, Tiernaney, Tearny, Tearney and Terney.
Tierney Family Coat of Arms
The family coat of arms has the blazon of a silver shield charged with a red chief and overall a black chevron.
Tierney Family Crest
The crest is an oak tree.
Please Note
There is often limited information available on a specific coat of arms and motto for an Irish surname. Sometimes there are many variations, sometimes none, we have compiled a representative, but by no means exhaustive, selection. Please visit our Coat of Arms and Motto page for more information.
DNA And Your Irish Roots
- DNA and your Irish Heritage
- DNA, Discovery and Functions
- Types of DNA tests
- DNA testing companies
- Y-chromosome and Father's Ancestral Line
- Mitochondrial DNA and Mother's Ancestral Line
- DNA and Ethnicity
Interesting Irish Connections
