| ![Show Contents]() Tierny History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
Etymology of TiernyWhat does the name Tierny mean? The original Gaelic versions of today's Irish names demonstrate a proud, ancient past. The original Gaelic form of the name Tierny is Mac Tighearnain, which is derived from the word tighearna, which means "lord." Early Origins of the Tierny familyThe surname Tierny 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 Tierny familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Tierny research. Another 40 words (3 lines of text) covering the year 1800 is included under the topic Early Tierny History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Tierny Spelling VariationsBefore widespread literacy came to Ireland, a name was often recorded under several different variations during the life of its bearer. Accordingly, numerous spelling variations were revealed in the search for the origin of the name Tierny family name. Variations found include Tiernan, Tierman, Ternan, Kiernan and others. Early Notables of the Tierny familyMore information is included under the topic Early Tierny Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
| Tierny migration to the United States | + |
A massive amount of Ireland's native population left the island in the 19th century for North America and Australia in hopes of finding more opportunities and an escape from discrimination and oppression. A great portion of these migrants arrived on the eastern shores of the North American continent. Although they were generally poor and destitute, and, therefore, again discriminated against, these Irish people were heartily welcomed for the hard labor involved in the construction of railroads, canals, roadways, and buildings. Many others were put to work in the newly established factories or agricultural projects that were so essential to the development of what would become two of the wealthiest nations in the world. The Great Potato Famine during the late 1840s initiated the largest wave of Iris immigration. Early North American immigration and passenger lists have revealed a number of people bearing the name Tierny or a variant listed above:
Tierny Settlers in United States in the 19th Century- Hugh Tierny, who arrived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1816 2
- Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print
- Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
 |
