Tiernan History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms 

Origins Available: 
  Ireland 
  Scotland 


The original Gaelic versions of today's Irish names demonstrate a proud, ancient past. The original Gaelic form of the name Tiernan is Mac Tighearnain, which is derived from the word tighearna, which means "lord."

Early Origins of the Tiernan family

The surname Tiernan was first found in County Cavan, at Tullyhunco where the "Annals of the Four Masters" show no fewer than 33 Tiernans. Almost all were Chiefs of Teallach Donnchadha. Despite their high ranking, their exploits were not well documented from 1250-1550. One must presume that they ruled with compassion and understanding and were amiable to their fellow man. The "Mac" prefix of the name is typically spelt "MacTernan" or "McTernan" and is usually found in the Cavan-Leitrim area of Ireland.

Ternan or Terrenan (d. 431?), was Archbishop of the Picts. "According to his legend he went to Rome, where he spent seven years under the care of the pope, was appointed archbishop of the Picts, and returned to Scotland with the usual accompaniment of miraculous adventures. He died and was buried at Banchory on the river Dee, which was named from him Banchory Ternan. His day in the calendar is 12 June, and the years given for his death vary from 431 to 455. " 1

Early History of the Tiernan family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Tiernan research. Another 40 words (3 lines of text) covering the year 1800 is included under the topic Early Tiernan History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Tiernan Spelling Variations

People who were accounted for by scribes and church officials often had their name recorded many different ways because pronunciation was the only guide those scribes and church officials had to go by. This resulted in the problem of one person's name being recorded under several different variations, creating the illusion of more than one person. Among the many spelling variations of the surname Tiernan that are preserved in archival documents are Tiernan, Tierman, Ternan, Kiernan and others.

Early Notables of the Tiernan family

More information is included under the topic Early Tiernan Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Tiernan Ranking

In the United States, the name Tiernan is the 14,734th most popular surname with an estimated 2,487 people with that name. 2


Tiernan migration to the United States +

Death and immigration greatly reduced Ireland's population in the 19th century. For the native Irish people poverty, hunger, and racial prejudice was common. Therefore, thousands left their homeland to seek opportunity in North America. Those who survived the journey and the quarantine camps to which they arrived, were instrumental towards building the strong developing nations of the United States and the future Canada. By far, the largest influx of Irish settlers occurred with Great Potato Famine during the late 1840s. These were employed as construction or factory workers. An examination of passenger and immigration lists has shown early immigrants bearing the name Tiernan:

Tiernan Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Tiernan migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Tiernan Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Tiernan migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Tiernan Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Contemporary Notables of the name Tiernan (post 1700) +
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