Find out how popular the first name Tierney has been for the last 50 years (from 1974 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Tierney by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Tierney is more commonly used as a female name, with approximately 99% of people named Tierney being female.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 34 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Tierney.

The history of the first name Tierney

The name Tierney is derived from the Irish surname Ó Tighearnaigh, which means "descendant of the lord" or "chieftain." It originated in the Gaelic language and is believed to have its roots in the 10th or 11th century. The name likely originated in County Mayo, Ireland, and was historically associated with the Uí Briúin clan.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Tierney can be found in the Annals of the Four Masters, a chronicle of medieval Irish history. In the year 1192, the name "Tighearnaigh" appears, referring to a member of the Uí Briúin clan.

Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Tierney. One of the earliest was Ruaidhrí Ó Tighearnaigh, a 14th-century Irish poet and historian. Another notable figure was Brian Tierney, an American legal historian and scholar of medieval canon law, who lived from 1922 to 2019.

In the realm of literature, Mary Tierney (1800-1889) was an Irish novelist and writer who penned several popular works in the 19th century. Harry Tierney (1890-1965) was an American composer and playwright, best known for composing the music for the classic musical "Rio Rita."

More recently, Maura Tierney (born 1965) is an American actress widely recognized for her roles in various television series and films, including "ER," "NewsRadio," and "The Affair."

While the name Tierney has its origins in Ireland, it has been adopted and used across various cultures and regions. Its historical roots, however, can be traced back to the Gaelic language and the ancient clans of Ireland, where it held significance as a designation of chieftainship and nobility.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Tierney was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Tierney, please contact us.

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