Tierney

Tierney (English pronunciation: /ˈtɪərni/) is an Irish surname.

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Overview

Tierney 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.

Four unrelated families of the name arose in Gaelic Ireland, in what is now County Mayo, County Monaghan, County Meath, and County Tipperary.

Ó Tighearnaigh of Cenél nEógain

This family were lived in the territory of Fearnmuigh or Fearnmaigh [which means 'the territory of the plain'] is an area in South Monaghan/South Armagh and is in fact the present Barony of Farney, whose principal town is Carrickmacross. [1]

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.

Ó Tighearnaigh of Brega

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. [2]

Ó Tighearnaigh of Ormond

A family of the name resided in Ormond, nowadays County Tipperary. Their origins are obscure [3].

People

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See also