Surname Tiernie - Meaning and Origin

Tiernie: What does the surname Tiernie mean?

The last name Tiernie seems to be a variant of the name Tierney, which is of Irish origin. The surname Tierney is derived from the Gaelic "O'Tighearnaigh", where "tighearna" means "lord" or "master". It indicates the descendant of Tighearnach, which translates to "lord" or "chief". Hence, the bearers of the surname were descendants of a chieftain or master. This name originated from the province of Munster in southern Ireland, and it was further proliferated during the 20th century. Therefore, the last name Tiernie might carry similar connotations of lordship, mastery or leadership. Remember, the meanings of surnames can vary based on cultural and historical contexts and many have evolved over time.

Tiernie: Where does the name Tiernie come from?

The last name Tiernie is most common in Scotland and Ireland, but can be found in other areas throughout the United Kingdom, as well as in parts of North America and Australia. In the United States, the highest concentration of people with the Tiernie surname are concentrated in North Carolina, Maryland, Illinois, and Pennsylvania.

The Tiernie surname is likely a Scottish patronymic, or a name derived from a family's father's name. In this case, the prefix "Tir-" or "Tier-" likely references the Gaelic word for "lord," which suggests that the original name had some connection to the Scottish nobility with the title.

The Tiernie surname is comparatively rare in the United States, being borne by fewer than 1,000 people in the nation according to researcher estimates. In Scotland and Ireland, the Tiernie name is much more common. While the exact numbers are unknown, there were several instances of the Tiernie name appearing in public records from the 18th and 19th centuries in Scotland, suggesting that the name has been in Scotland for several centuries.

Historically, the Tiernie surname appeared across many areas of Scotland, from the Orkney Islands and Shetland in the north to the Borders region in the south. The name appears to have been slightly more concentrated towards the south and east, but with instances of the name found in the west as well.

Variations of the surname Tiernie

The surname Tiernie can be spelled a few different ways, including Tierney, Tierny, Tiernay and Tirney. Each of these spellings is still the same surname and originates from the old Gaelic name of Ó Tighearnaigh, meaning a descendant of Tighearnach (lord).

Tiernie or Tierney is derived from an 11th century Irish chieftain who lived in Connacht and became head of the Tierney Clan. This surname spread during the 16th century to the various Irish provinces and is still present today.

In England, the spelling of Tiernie often became spelled as Tirney. This, however, derives from the English surname D'Tironeaux, a Norman name thought to be derived from Tiron near Orleans in France.

Variations of this surname are Tirney, Tyrney, Terney, Terne, Tirny, and Tirnie. Some variations may retain their original form of the Gaelic spelling such as O'Tierney, O'Tirney, O'Ternically, and O'Tirnie.

Overall, the surname Tiernie has a rich history and can be seen in many different forms throughout the English speaking world.

Famous people with the name Tiernie

• Valérie Trierweiler: French journalist and ex-partner of the French president, François Hollande.
• Glenn Ternie: American actor known for his performances in The Last of the Mohicans (1992) and Illegally Yours (1988).
• Ace Ternie: Former American football player who spent the majority of his career as a punter in the NFL.
• Preston Ternie: Professional ice hockey player that played for the Los Angeles Kings in the NHL.
• Terry Tiernie: Professional race car driver that competed in the British Saloon Car Championship from 1975 to 1983.
• Spencer Tiernie: American professional wrestler who was a part of the National Wrestling Alliance's National Division from 1983 to 1985.
• Tonya Tiernie: Canadian politician and former federal Member of Parliament for the electoral district of Cypress Hills—Grasslands in Saskatchewan.
• Thomas Ternie: Norwegian Olympic speed skater who competed in 1928 Winter Olympics and 1932 Winter Olympics.
• Tom Tiernie: English footballer who played for Middlesbrough F.C., Darlington F.C. and Sunderland A.F.C. in the English Football League.
• Joanne Tiernie: Canadian actress known for her roles in Whispers and Rules of the Game.

Other surnames

TiernanTierneyTierny