Tierney
An Irish surname derived from Ó Tighearnaigh, meaning "descendant of Tighearnach," a personal name meaning "lord" or "master."
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 15,801 Americans carry the last name Tierney. That puts it at #2,646 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 4.61 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 21,692 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Tierney surname. You will find the Census Bureau frequency data, an ancestry and ethnicity breakdown based on self-reported demographics, the name's meaning and origin where available, and answers to the most common questions people ask about this surname.
Bearers in the US
16K
1 in 21,692
Census rank
#2,646
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
4.6
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
14K
uncommon in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 13,608 bearers of the surname Tierney in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 4.61 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 2646th position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Tierney, the largest self-reported group is White at 95.8%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (1.9%) and Two or More Races (1.2%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Tierney
The surname Tierney originates from Ireland and is derived from the Irish Gaelic "O'Tighearnaigh," meaning "the descendant of the lord." It is believed that the name first appeared in County Mayo, Ireland, in the 13th century.
In the 16th century, the Tierney clan was one of the most powerful families in County Mayo, holding significant lands and influence in the region. The name is also found in other parts of Ireland, particularly in Counties Sligo and Galway, where various branches of the family settled over the centuries.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Annals of the Four Masters, a historical chronicle of medieval Irish history. The annals mention Tadhg O'Tighearnaigh, a prominent figure from County Mayo, who lived in the late 14th century.
The Tierneys were heavily involved in the Irish Confederate Wars of the 17th century, fighting against English rule in Ireland. Notable figures from this period include Sir Edward Tierney, a military commander, and Christopher Tierney, a member of the Irish Confederation's Supreme Council.
In the 18th century, the Tierney family produced several notable figures, including George Tierney (1761-1830), an English politician and member of parliament, and Michael Tierney (1753-1820), an Irish author and historian.
During the 19th century, the Tierney name gained prominence in the United States, with many Irish immigrants bearing the surname settling in cities like Boston and New York. One notable American Tierney was Michael Tierney (1839-1908), a Civil War veteran and prominent journalist in New York City.
Other notable individuals with the surname Tierney include:
1. Kevin Tierney (born 1951), a Canadian filmmaker and writer known for his work on movies like "Bon Cop, Bad Cop" and "Twist."
2. Pat Tierney (1926-2022), an American professional baseball player who played in the Major Leagues from 1951 to 1963.
3. Michael Tierney (1894-1975), an Irish politician and member of Dáil Éireann, the lower house of the Irish parliament.
4. Brendan Tierney (1958-2018), an Irish singer-songwriter and musician best known for his work with the band The Hothouse Flowers.
5. Gene Tierney (1920-1991), an American actress who starred in classic films like "Laura" and "Leave Her to Heaven."
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Tierney
Among Census respondents with the surname Tierney, the largest self-reported group is White at 95.8%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (1.9%) and Two or More Races (1.2%).
The bar chart below shows how Tierney bearers described their own race and ethnicity on the 2010 Census form. The Census Bureau groups responses into six broad categories: White, Black or African American, Hispanic or Latino, Asian and Pacific Islander, American Indian and Alaska Native, and Two or More Races. When a category has too few respondents for a given surname, the Bureau suppresses the figure to protect individual privacy, which is why some names show fewer than six slices.
Keep in mind that these are self-reported numbers. A person's surname does not determine their race or ethnicity, and the distribution you see here reflects the specific population who happened to carry the Tierney surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- White95.8%
- Hispanic or Latino1.9%
- Two or more races1.2%
- Asian and Pacific Islander0.6%
- Black or African American0.3%
- American Indian and Alaska Native0.2%
Year on year
2010 vs 2010 Census
How has the Tierney surname changed between Census years? The chart shows bearer count side by side, and the table compares rank, count, and frequency.
Census year comparison
| Metric | 2010 | 2010 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #2,646 | #2,646 | 0.0% |
| Count | 13,608 | 13,608 | 0.0% |
| Per 100K | 4.61 | 4.61 | 0.0% |
Between the 2010 and 2010 Census, the number of Tierney bearers went from 13,608 to 13,608 (+0.0% change). The surname held its position in the national ranking, going from #2,646 to #2,646.
Notable bearers
Famous people with the surname Tierney
FAQ
Tierney surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Tierney?
The surname Tierney holds position #2,646 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 15,801 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 4.61 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Tierney surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Tierney, the largest self-reported group is White at 95.8%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (1.9%) and Two or More Races (1.2%). These figures come from the 2010 Census Bureau surname tables, based on how respondents described their own race and ethnicity.
Where does this surname data come from?
All surname statistics on Name Census are drawn from the US Census Bureau's decennial surname frequency tables. These tables list every surname that appeared 100 or more times in the 2010 Census, along with a frequency rate and self-reported demographic breakdown. You can read the full explanation on our methodology page.