Tierney /ˈtɪərni/ is an Irish surname and forename.
It is an Anglicized form of Irish Ó Tiarnaigh (male), Ní Thiarnaigh (female), also spelled Ó Tighearnaigh/Ní Thighearnaigh. It is derived from tiarna, the Irish word for lord or master.
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.
This family were 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.
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.
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 Co. 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 in 848 A.D."
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.
This is an area in northern Clare. This sect were hereditary priests and monks.
In film, television, and theatre
Gene Tierney (1920–1991), American stage and film actress
Gerard "Jerry" Tierney (1924-1985), American actor known as Scott Brady
Jacob Tierney (born 1979), Canadian actor, film director and writer
John Tierney (film editor), known for his editing work on Sesame Street
Lawrence Tierney (1919–2002), Irish-American actor
Malcolm Tierney, British actor
Maura Tierney (born 1965), American actress
Michael Tierney (film director), American film director, actor, and screenwriter
Garrett Tierney (born 1980), American musician
Harry Tierney (1890-1965), American composer of musical theatre
Michael Tierney (musician) (born 1977), member of Australian band Human Nature
Tierney Sutton (born 1963), American jazz singer
Mick Pyro, Irish musician, born Michael Tierney
John Tierney (journalist) (born 1953), American journalist
Matthew Tierney (born 1970), Canadian poet
Patrick Tierney (journalist), who works as a UCIS volunteer at the University of Pittsburgh
Richard L. Tierney (born 1936), American writer
Robert J. Tierney, linguist and author
Tierney Gearon (born 1963), American photographer
In government, law, and politics
Frank A. Tierney, secretary to Governor Glynn, and Deputy Commissioner under the Workmen's Compensation act
George Tierney (1761–1830), English Whig politician
James Tierney (born 1947), Director of the National State Attorneys General Program at Columbia University and former Attorney General of Maine
John Tierney (Australian politician) (born 1946), Liberal member of the Australian Senate
John Tierney (Irish politician) (born 1951)
John F. Tierney (born 1951), United States Representative from Massachusetts
Michael Tierney (politician) (1894–1975), professor of Greek, President of University College Dublin (1947–1964) and Irish politician
Sydney Tierney (born 1923), former British Labour Party politician
Gary Tierney (born 1986), Scottish professional football (soccer) player
John Tierney (footballer), player for Cork City Football Club
John Tierney (Gaelic footballer) (born 1982), Gaelic footballer
Kieran Tierney (born 1997) Professional footballer for Celtic Football Club Glasgow, Scotland
Lawrie Tierney (1959–2011), Scottish professional football (soccer) player
Marc Tierney (born 1985), English professional footballer (soccer)
Michael Tierney (Gaelic footballer) (born 1986), Gaelic football player from Laois in Ireland
Neil Tierney, Australian rugby league footballer
Paul Tierney (footballer) (born 1982 in England), Irish football (soccer) player
Ryan Tierney, Scottish footballer
John Tierney (rower), American rower
John Tierney (cricketer) (born 1964), English cricketer
William "Bill" Tierney, lacrosse coach
Brian Tierney (born 1957), American businessman and newspaper publisher
Charles Rust-Tierney (born 1955), American former ACLU chapter president
James Tierney (born 1947), Director of the National State Attorneys General Program at Columbia University and former Attorney General of Maine
Michael Tierney (bishop) (1839–1908), Roman Catholic bishop
Myles Tierney, American mathematician
William Tierney Clark (1783–1852), English civil engineer of bridges
