Tierney is an Irish surname. It is an Anglicized form of Irish (male), (female), also spelt /. It is derived from '' tiarna'', the Irish word for Lord or Master. The name can be found around the world, mostly in the

Anglosphere The Anglosphere is a group of English-speaking nations that share historical and cultural ties with England, and which today maintain close political, diplomatic and military co-operation. While the nations included in different sources vary, ...

and it's most prevalent outside of

Ireland Ireland ( ; ga, Éire ; Ulster Scots dialect, Ulster-Scots: ) is an island in the Atlantic Ocean, North Atlantic Ocean, in Northwestern Europe, north-western Europe. It is separated from Great Britain to its east by the North Channel (Grea ...

in the

United Kingdom The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom (UK) or Britain, is a country in Europe, off the north-western coast of the European mainland, continental mainland. It comprises England, Scotlan ...

and

United States of America The United States of America (U.S.A. or USA), commonly known as the United States (U.S. or US) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It consists of 50 states, a federal district, five major unincorporated territor ...

. Five unrelated families of the name arose in

Gaelic Ireland Gaelic Ireland ( ga, Éire Ghaelach) was the Gaelic political and social order, and associated culture, that existed in Ireland from the late prehistoric era until the early 17th century. It comprised the whole island before Anglo-Normans ...

, in what is now

County Clare County Clare ( ga, Contae an Chláir) is a county in Ireland, in the Southern Region and the province of Munster, bordered on the west by the Atlantic Ocean. Clare County Council is the local authority. The county had a population of 118,817 ...

County Mayo County Mayo (; ga, Contae Mhaigh Eo, meaning "Plain of the yew trees") is a county in Ireland. In the West of Ireland, in the province of Connacht, it is named after the village of Mayo, now generally known as Mayo Abbey. Mayo County Coun ...

County Monaghan County Monaghan ( ; ga, Contae Mhuineacháin) is a county in Ireland. It is in the province of Ulster and is part of Border strategic planning area of the Northern and Western Region. It is named after the town of Monaghan. Monaghan County C ...

County Meath County Meath (; gle, Contae na Mí or simply ) is a county in the Eastern and Midland Region of Ireland, within the province of Leinster. It is bordered by Dublin to the southeast, Louth to the northeast, Kildare to the south, Offaly to the ...

, and

County Tipperary County Tipperary ( ga, Contae Thiobraid Árann) is a Counties of Ireland, county in Republic of Ireland, Ireland. It is in the Provinces of Ireland, province of Munster and the Southern Region, Ireland, Southern Region. The county is named afte ...

Families

Ó Tighearnaigh of Cenél nEógain

This family lived in the territory of Fearnmuigh or Fearnmaigh hich means 'the territory of the plain' in an area in South

Monaghan Monaghan ( ; ) is the county town of County Monaghan, Ireland. It also provides the name of its civil parish and barony. The population of the town as of the 2016 census was 7,678. The town is on the N2 road from Dublin to Derry and Letterken ...

/South

Armagh Armagh ( ; ga, Ard Mhacha, , " Macha's height") is the county town of County Armagh and a city in Northern Ireland, as well as a civil parish. It is the ecclesiastical capital of Ireland – the seat of the Archbishops of Armagh, the ...

that is the present Barony of Farney, whose principal town is

Carrickmacross Carrickmacross () is a town in County Monaghan, Ireland. The town and environs had a population of 5,032 according to the 2016 census, making it the second-largest town in the county. Carrickmacross is a market town which developed around a c ...

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 Gilbert Ó Tigernaig was the Bishop of Annaghdown from 1306 to 1323. Ó Tigernaig was a native of Carra, County Mayo, his family belonging to those ruling the area, subject to (or descended from) the Uí Fiachrach Muaidhe. The surname is now ...

, Bishop of

Annaghdown Annaghdown ( ga, Eanach Dhúin, ) is a civil parish in County Galway, Ireland. It takes its name from ''Eanach Dhúin'', Irish for "the marsh of the fort". It lies around Annaghdown Bay, an inlet of Lough Corrib. Villages in the civil parish in ...

(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 The Kings of Brega were rulers of Brega, a petty kingdom north of Dublin in medieval Ireland. Overview Brega took its name from ' ('), meaning "fine plain", in modern County Meath, County Louth and County Dublin, Ireland. They formed part of the ...

. They were a branch of the southern

Uí Néill The Uí Néill (Irish pronunciation: ; meaning "descendants of Niall") are Irish dynasties who claim descent from Niall Noígíallach (Niall of the Nine Hostages), a historical King of Tara who died c. 405. They are generally divided into t ...

. "The Kingdom is said to have stretched from Birr in County

Offaly County Offaly (; ga, Contae Uíbh Fhailí) is a Counties of Ireland, county in Republic of Ireland, Ireland. It is part of the Eastern and Midland Region and the Provinces of Ireland, province of Leinster. It is named after the Ancient Ireland ...

to the Hill of Uishneach in Westmeath. Tighearnach resided at the Great Crannóg of Lagore, which is situated near Ratoath in County

Meath Meath may refer to: General * County Meath, Republic of Ireland **Kingdom of Meath, medieval precursor of the county ** List of kings of Meath ** Meath GAA, including the intercounty football and hurling teams ** Diocese of Meath, in the Roman Cath ...

, 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

. 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 Ballymackey () is a townland and a civil parish in County Tipperary, Ireland. It is located between Toomevara and Cloughjordan It is in the Dáil constituency of Offaly which incorporates 24 electoral divisions that were previously in the const ...

, Ballyknockane, Carrowea, Clash, Falleen, Gortnadrumman, Kilgorteen and Knockane.

Ó Tighearnaigh of Corcu Modruad

This is an area in northern

. This sept were hereditary priests and monks.

People

In arts and media

Brian Tierney (medievalist) Brian Tierney (May 7, 1922 – November 30, 2019) was a historian and a medievalist. He was educated at Pembroke College, Cambridge. He was a member of the faculty of the Catholic University of America for eight years until becoming professo ...

(1922–2019), historian and medievalist * Mark Aloysius Tierney (1795–1862), English Catholic historian * Patrick Lennox Tierney (1914–2015), art historian, specialist on Japan * Tom Tierney (artist) (1928–2014), American paper doll artist

Film, television, and theatre

* Eileen Wilson Powell (1894-1942) American actress born Julia Mary Tierney *

Gene Tierney Gene Eliza Tierney (November 19, 1920 – November 6, 1991) was an American film and stage actress. Acclaimed for her great beauty, she became established as a leading lady. Tierney was best known for her portrayal of the title character in the ...

(1920–1991), American stage and film actress * Gerard "Jerry" Tierney (1924–1985), American actor known as

Scott Brady Scott Brady (born Gerard Kenneth Tierney; September 13, 1924 – April 16, 1985) was an American film and television actor best known for his roles in Western films and as a ubiquitous television presence. He played the title role in the televi ...

Jacob Tierney Jacob Daniel Tierney (born September 26, 1979) is a Canadian actor, director, screenwriter, and producer. He is best known for playing Eric in '' Are You Afraid of the Dark?'' (1990–1992) and as the co-writer, director, and executive producer o ...

(born 1979), Canadian actor, film director and writer * Kevin Tierney (1950–2018), Canadian film producer *

Lawrence Tierney Lawrence James Tierney (March 15, 1919 – February 26, 2002) was an American film and television actor who is best known for his many screen portrayals of mobsters and tough guys in a career that spanned over 50 years. His roles mirrored his ...

(1919–2002), Irish-American actor * Malcolm Tierney (1938–2014), British actor *

Maura Tierney Maura Therese Tierney (born February 3, 1965) is an American film, stage, and television actress. She is best known for her roles as Lisa Miller on the sitcom '' NewsRadio'' (1995–1999), Abby Lockhart on the medical drama '' ER'' (1999–2009 ...

(born 1965), American actress *

In music

Andrew Tierney Andrew James Tierney (born 20 June 1974) is an Australian singer-songwriter and musician, who is a member of the music group Human Nature. He is the brother of fellow band member Michael Tierney, and he and his wife live in Las Vegas L ...

(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

* Gerard Tierney (1924–1979), Irish bi-lingual radio broadcaster *

John Tierney (journalist) John Marion Tierney (born March 25, 1953) is an American journalist and a contributing editor to '' City Journal'', the Manhattan Institute's quarterly publication. Previously he had been a reporter and columnist at the ''New York Times'' for t ...

(born 1953), American journalist * Matthew Tierney (born 1970), Canadian poet * Patrick Tierney (journalist), volunteer at the University of Pittsburgh * Richard L. Tierney (born 1936), American writer * Robert J. Tierney, linguist and author * Ronald Tierney (1944–2017), American newspaper editor and author * Tierney Gearon (born 1963), American photographer

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 George Tierney PC (20 March 1761 – 25 January 1830) was an Irish Whig politician. For much of his career he was in opposition to the governments of William Pitt and Lord Liverpool. From 1818 to 1821 he was Leader of the Opposition in the ...

(1761–1830), English Whig politician * James Tierney (politician) (born 1947), Attorney General of Maine * 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 John Hogan Tierney (June 24, 1832 – February 9, 1907) was an American politician and farmer. Tierney was born in Freshford, County Kilkenny, Ireland and went to the public schools in Ireland. He emigrated to the United States in 1851 and ...

(1832–1907), American politician and farmer *

John J. Tierney John J. Tierney Jr. ( 1926October 2005) served two terms on the Boston School Committee in the late 1950s (also was chairman) and served on the Boston City Council from 1960 to 1964, twice serving as the council's president. After losing a reele ...

(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 William Laurence Tierney (August 6, 1876 – April 13, 1958) was a Democratic member of the United States House of Representatives from Connecticut's 4th congressional district from 1931 to 1933. Early life Tierney was born in Norwalk, Conn ...

(1876–1958), Democratic member of the US House of Representatives

In sport

In Football

* Chris Tierney (soccer) (born 1986), American footballer * Francis Tierney (born 1975), English footballer with Doncaster Rovers * Gary Tierney (born 1986), Scottish football (soccer) player *

Grant Tierney Peter Grant Tierney (born 11 October 1961) is a Scottish former footballer who has played in the Scottish Football League Premier Division for Dunfermline Athletic and Partick Thistle. Tierney has always been known as Grant rather than Peter. ...

(born 1961), Scottish footballer * Jim Tierney (footballer) (born 1940), Scottish footballer *

Kieran Tierney Kieran Tierney (born 5 June 1997) is a Scottish professional association footballer, footballer who plays as a left-back or centre-back for Premier League club Arsenal F.C., Arsenal and the Scotland national football team, Scotland national team ...

(born 1997), footballer for Celtic Glasgow, Arsenal *

Lawrie Tierney Lawrence James William "Lawrie" Tierney (4 April 1959 – 6 December 2011) was a Scottish footballer who played as a midfielder. Born in Leith, Tierney started his professional career at Heart of Midlothian in 1976, making 49 league appearan ...

(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 Ross Tierney is an Irish footballer who plays as a midfielder for EFL League Two club Walsall, on loan from Scottish Premiership side Motherwell. Club career Bohemians Tierney spent his youth career with St. Kevin's Boys (which was amalg ...

(born 2001) Irish footballer * Ryan Tierney, Scottish footballer *

Sam Tierney Samantha Tierney (born 8 October 1998) is an English footballer who plays as a midfielder or defender for Leicester City. Career She started her career as an academy player at Sheffield United, before joining Doncaster Rovers Belles in ...

(born 1998), English footballer for Leicester City * Tommy Tierney, English footballer

In Gaelic Football

Benny Tierney Brendan "Benny" Tierney (Irish: Breandan Ó Tiarnaigh) is a former Gaelic football goalkeeper who played at senior level for the Armagh county team between 1989 and 2002, and also for the Mullaghbawn club. Tierney is a headmaster of St Peter's ...

, Irish Gaelic goalkeeper and sports journalist *

David Tierney David John Tierney (born 21 October 1979) is an Irish sportsperson. He plays hurling with his local club Kilnadeema–Leitrim and with the Galway senior inter-county hurling team. Gaelic football He also had a brief stint with the Galway f ...

(born 1979), Irish hurler and Gaelic footballer * John Tierney (Gaelic footballer) (born 1982), Gaelic footballer * Matthew Tierney (Gaelic footballer) Irish Gaelic footballer * Michael Tierney (Gaelic footballer) (born 1986), from Laois in Ireland *

Noel Tierney Noel Tierney (born 2 February 1942 in Milltown, County Galway) is an Irish former Gaelic footballer who played for his local club Milltown and at senior level for the Galway county team that won three consecutive All-Ireland Senior Footbal ...

(born 1942), Irish Gaelic footballer and sportsperson *

Tomás Tierney Tomás Tierney (born 14 September 1961) is an Irish former Gaelic footballer who played at senior level for the Galway and Mayo county teams in the 1980s and 1990s. He played his club football for Milltown. Tierney helped St Jarlath's Coll ...

(born 1961), Irish Gaelic footballer

In Rugby

* Dylan Tierney-Martin (born 1999), Irish rugby union player *

Lewis Tierney Lewis Tierney (born 20 October 1994) is a former rugby league footballer who played on the or at . He started his professional career in 2013 with the Wigan Warriors in the Super League, and spent time on loan at Workington Town. He joined th ...

(born 1994), Scottish international rugby league player * Matt Tierney (born 1996), Canadian Rugby union player * Melbourne Tierney (born 1924), Welsh rugby league player * Paul Tierney (rugby league) (1919–1973), Australian rugby league footballer * Tom Tierney (rugby union), Irish rugby union player

In other sports

Bill Tierney (baseball) William J. Tierney (May 14, 1858 – September 21, 1898) was a Major League Baseball player. He played for the 1882 Cincinnati Red Stockings of the American Association and the 1884 Baltimore Monumentals of the Union Association The Union ...

(1858–1898), with Cincinnati red stockings * Chris Tierney (ice hockey) (born 1994), Canadian hockey player *

Cotton Tierney James Arthur "Cotton" Tierney (February 10, 1894 – April 18, 1953) was an American professional baseball second baseman and third baseman. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Pittsburgh Pirates, Philadelphia Phillies, Boston Braves ...

(1894–1953), American baseball second and third baseman *

Erin Tierney Erin Tierney (born June 29, 1970) is a sprint athlete, who competed for the Cook Islands. Tierney was the first female competitor to represent the Cook Islands at the Olympics when she competed at the 1988 Summer Olympics in the 100 metres and th ...

(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 Jade Tierney (born 18 April 2004) is a Cook Island canoeist. She competed in the women's K-1 200 metres event at the 2020 Summer Olympics The , officially the and also known as , was an international multi-sport event held from 23 Ju ...

(born 2004), Cook Islander Olympic canoeist * James Tierney (footballer) (1878–1959), Australian rules footballer *

Joe Tierney Joe or JOE may refer to: Arts Film and television * Joe (1970 film), ''Joe'' (1970 film), starring Peter Boyle * Joe (2013 film), ''Joe'' (2013 film), starring Nicolas Cage * Joe (TV series), ''Joe'' (TV series), a British TV series airing from ...

(1903–2004), American sprinter at the 1928 Olympics *

John Tierney (cricketer) John Kevin Tierney (born 17 June 1964) was an English cricketer. Tierney was a right-handed batsman who bowled right-arm fast-medium. He was born in Ashford, Kent. Tierney made his debut for Devon in the 1985 Minor Counties Championship again ...

(born 1964), English cricketer *

John Tierney (rower) John Tierney is an English-born former rower of Irish heritage. He was the Team Leader for the US Olympic Rowing team in Barcelona in 1992. Tierney was at one time team leader for the Pan Am Rowing team. Tierney taught chemistry at Pennsylvania Sta ...

, American rower * Meghan Tierney, US Olympic snowboarder *

Paul Tierney (hurler) Paul Tierney (born 1982 in Blackrock, County Cork) is an Irish sportsperson and fell runner. He played hurling with his local club Blackrock and was a member of the Cork Cork or CORK may refer to: Materials * Cork (material), an impermeable b ...

(born 1982), Irish hurler and ultrarunner *

Shea Tierney Shea Tierney (born October 19, 1986) is an American football coach who is the quarterbacks coach for the New York Giants of the National Football League. Shea was hired by the Buffalo Bills in 2018 as an offensive assistant and was promoted t ...

(born 1986), American football and coach for New York giants * Tim Tierney (American football) (1943–2012) American football player and coach * Tom Tierney (hurler) (1894–1984), Irish hurler * Trevor Tierney American Lacrosse goaltender and coach * Bill Tierney, lacrosse coach

Other fields

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

Alison J. Tierney Alison Joan Tierney FRCN (born 4 May 1948) is a British nursing theorist, nurse researcher and former editor-in-chief of the ''Journal of Advanced Nursing''. Tierney was one of the first graduates (1971) of the Integrated Degree/Nursing progra ...

CBE (born 1948), British nursing theorist and researcher * Charles Rust-Tierney (born 1955), American ACLU chapter president * James Tierney (politician) (born 1947), Attorney General of Maine * Keith Tierney Canadian scientist and academic *

Myles Tierney Myles Tierney (September 1937 – 5 October 2017) was an American mathematician and Professor at Rutgers University who founded the theory of elementary toposes with William Lawvere. Tierney obtained his B.A. from Brown University in 1959 and ...

(1937–2017), American mathematician and professor * Robert J. Tierney, Dean Emeritus at the University of British Columbia * T. F. Tierney (born 1951), American urbanist, network theorist and educator * William G. Tierney, American scholar in higher education and Author

Other

Emiko Ohnuki-Tierney Emiko Ohnuki-Tierney ( ja, 大貫恵美子 born 1934) is a noted anthropologist and the William F. Vilas Professor of Anthropology at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. She is the author of fourteen single-authored books in English and ...

(born 1934), Japanese-American anthropologist * Flann Ó Tighearnaigh (died 1273), Gaelic Irish lord * John P. Tierney (1974–2001), one of

Emergency workers killed in the September 11 attacks Of the 2,977 victims killed in the September 11 attacks, 421 were emergency workers in New York City who responded to the World Trade Center. This included: * 343 firefighters (including a chaplain and two paramedics) of the New York City Fire ...

* Paul Tierney (referee) (born 1980), English football referee * Tigernach mac Fócartai (died 865), king of

Lagore Loch Gabhair (Lagore), meaning "Lake of the Goats", is an area in the barony of Ratoath, County Meath, Ireland. It is located between the villages of Ratoath and Dunshaughlin and is the namesake of the townlands of Lagore Big (Loch Gabhar Mór) ...

William Tierney Clark William Tierney Clark FRS FRAS (23 August 1783 – 22 September 1852) was an English civil engineer particularly associated with the design and construction of bridges. He was among the earliest designers of suspension bridges. Born in Br ...

(1783–1852), English civil engineer of bridges

In Religion

Cornelius Tierney Fr. Cornelius Tierney BD (1872–1931) was an Irish missionary priest who joined the Maynooth Mission to China, he died after being kidnapped by Chinese Communist bandits and held in captivity in 1931. Cornelius was born in Clones, County Monagh ...

(1872–1931), Irish priest and missionary *

, bishop of Annaghdown *

Michael Tierney (bishop) Michael Tierney (September 29, 1839 – October 5, 1908) was an Irish-born prelate of the Roman Catholic Church. He served as Bishop of Hartford, Connecticut from 1894 until his death in 1908. Biography Michael Tierney was born in Ballyloob ...

(1839–1908), Roman Catholic bishop *

Tigernach of Clones Tigernach mac Coirpri (''d''. 549) was an early Irish saint, patron saint of Clones (Co. Monaghan) in the province of Ulster. Background Tigernach or Tiarnach of Clones (anglicised ''Tierney'') was one of the pre-eminent saints of the territ ...

(died 549), Irish saint, patron *

Tigernach Ua Braín Tigernach Ua Braín (died 1088) was abbot of Clonmacnoise and abbot of Roscommon. He was once held to be the author of the '' Annals of Tigernach'', hence its name; this view is no longer sustainable, though the nature and extent of his involve ...

(died 1088), Abbott of Clonmacnoise

In Science

* James Edward Tierney Aitchison (1835–1898), Scottish surgeon and botanist * Jessica Tierney (born 1982), American paleoclimatologist * Luke Tierney, American statistician and computer scientist *

Matthew John Tierney Sir Matthew John Tierney, Bart. (24 November 1776 – 28 October 1845) was an Irish surgeon who became Physician-in-Ordinary to Kings George IV and William IV of the United Kingdom. He gained a reputation for his study of vaccination. Life He ...

(1776–1845), Irish surgeon and royal physician

Fictional Characters

* Kyra Tierney, character in the video game Phantasy Star IV * Philip Tierney, main protagonist in the 1958 film Terror in the Haunted House * Rashers Tierney in TV show Strumpet City (miniseries) played by David Kelly * Ray Tierney, main protagonist in

Pride and Glory (film) ''Pride and Glory'' is a 2008 American crime drama film directed by Gavin O'Connor, and starring Edward Norton, Colin Farrell, Jon Voight and Noah Emmerich. It was released on October 24, 2008 in the United States. Plot Assistant Chief Fran ...

played by Edward Norton * Sheila Wayne Tierney, main protagonist in the 1958 film Terror in the Haunted House * Skye Tierney, character in the Evernight (series) books * Jack Tierney, character in the film

Friday the 13th Friday the 13th is considered an unlucky day in Western superstition. It occurs when the 13th day of the month in the Gregorian calendar falls on a Friday, which happens at least once every year but can occur up to three times in the same year. ...