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 actressGerard "Jerry" Tierney (1924-1985), American actor known as Scott BradyJacob Tierney (born 1979), Canadian actor, film director and writerJohn Tierney (film editor), known for his editing work on Sesame StreetLawrence Tierney (1919–2002), Irish-American actorMalcolm Tierney, British actorMaura Tierney (born 1965), American actressMichael Tierney (film director), American film director, actor, and screenwriterGarrett Tierney (born 1980), American musicianHarry Tierney (1890-1965), American composer of musical theatreMichael Tierney (musician) (born 1977), member of Australian band Human NatureTierney Sutton (born 1963), American jazz singerMick Pyro, Irish musician, born Michael TierneyJohn Tierney (journalist) (born 1953), American journalistMatthew Tierney (born 1970), Canadian poetPatrick Tierney (journalist), who works as a UCIS volunteer at the University of PittsburghRichard L. Tierney (born 1936), American writerRobert J. Tierney, linguist and authorTierney Gearon (born 1963), American photographerIn government, law, and politics
Frank A. Tierney, secretary to Governor Glynn, and Deputy Commissioner under the Workmen's Compensation actGeorge Tierney (1761–1830), English Whig politicianJames Tierney (born 1947), Director of the National State Attorneys General Program at Columbia University and former Attorney General of MaineJohn Tierney (Australian politician) (born 1946), Liberal member of the Australian SenateJohn Tierney (Irish politician) (born 1951)John F. Tierney (born 1951), United States Representative from MassachusettsMichael Tierney (politician) (1894–1975), professor of Greek, President of University College Dublin (1947–1964) and Irish politicianSydney Tierney (born 1923), former British Labour Party politicianGary Tierney (born 1986), Scottish professional football (soccer) playerJohn Tierney (footballer), player for Cork City Football ClubJohn Tierney (Gaelic footballer) (born 1982), Gaelic footballerKieran Tierney (born 1997) Professional footballer for Celtic Football Club Glasgow, ScotlandLawrie Tierney (1959–2011), Scottish professional football (soccer) playerMarc Tierney (born 1985), English professional footballer (soccer)Michael Tierney (Gaelic footballer) (born 1986), Gaelic football player from Laois in IrelandNeil Tierney, Australian rugby league footballerPaul Tierney (footballer) (born 1982 in England), Irish football (soccer) playerRyan Tierney, Scottish footballerJohn Tierney (rower), American rowerJohn Tierney (cricketer) (born 1964), English cricketerWilliam "Bill" Tierney, lacrosse coachBrian Tierney (born 1957), American businessman and newspaper publisherCharles Rust-Tierney (born 1955), American former ACLU chapter presidentJames Tierney (born 1947), Director of the National State Attorneys General Program at Columbia University and former Attorney General of MaineMichael Tierney (bishop) (1839–1908), Roman Catholic bishopMyles Tierney, American mathematicianWilliam Tierney Clark (1783–1852), English civil engineer of bridges