The original Gaelic versions of today's Irish names demonstrate a proud, ancient past. The original Gaelic form of the name Tearnan is Mac Tighearnain, which is derived from the word tighearna, which means "lord."
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Early Origins of the Tearnan family
The surname Tearnan 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 Tearnan family
This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Tearnan research. Another 40 words (3 lines of text) covering the year 1800 is included under the topic Early Tearnan History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Tearnan Spelling Variations
Those scribes in Ireland during the Middle Ages recorded names as they sounded. Consequently, in this era many people were recorded under different spellings each time their name was written down. Research on the Tearnan family name revealed numerous spelling variations, including Tiernan, Tierman, Ternan, Kiernan and others.
Early Notables of the Tearnan family
More information is included under the topic Early Tearnan Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
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Migration of the Tearnan family
The 19th century saw a great wave of Irish families leaving Ireland for the distant shores of North America and Australia. These families often left their homeland hungry, penniless, and destitute due to the policies of England. Those Irish immigrants that survived the long sea passage initially settled on the eastern seaboard of the continent. Some, however, moved north to a then infant Canada as United Empire Loyalists after ironically serving with the English in the American War of Independence. Others that remained in America later joined the westward migration in search of land. The greatest influx of Irish immigrants, though, came to North America during the Great Potato Famine of the late 1840s. Thousands left Ireland at this time for North America, and those who arrived were immediately put to work building railroads, coal mines, bridges, and canals. In fact, the foundations of today's powerful nations of the United States and Canada were to a larger degree built by the Irish. Archival documents indicate that members of the Tearnan family relocated to North American shores quite early: John Tierman settled in Philadelphia in 1802; John Tiernan settled in Philadelphia in 1845; also 1850; 1867; and 1880; Patrick Tiernan settled in Philadelphia in 1846.
