Tierney is an Irish surname. It is an Anglicized form of Irish (male), (female), also spelt /. It is derived from tiarna, the Irish word for Lord or Master. The name can be found around the world, mostly in the Anglosphere and it's most prevalent outside of Ireland in the United Kingdom and United States of America. Five unrelated families of the name arose in Gaelic Ireland, in what is now County Clare, County Mayo, County Monaghan, County Meath, and County Tipperary. Families Ó Tighearnaigh of Cenél nEógain This family lived in the territory of Fearnmuigh or Fearnmaigh [which means 'the territory of the plain'], in an area in South Monaghan/South Armagh that is the present Barony of Farney, whose principal town is Carrickmacross. Ó Tighearnaigh of Uí Fiachrach Muaidhe This family were Lords of Carra. Almost the only family member recorded in the annals was Flann Ó Tighearnaigh. Gilbert Ó Tigernaig, Bishop of Annaghdown (1306–1323), was also a member of this family. Ó Tighearnaigh of Brega This family claimed descent from Tigernach mac Fócartai (died 865), one of the Kings of Brega. They were a branch of the southern Uí Néill. "The Kingdom is said to have stretched from Birr in County Offaly to the Hill of Uishneach in Westmeath. Tighearnach resided at the Great Crannóg of Lagore, which is situated near Ratoath in County Meath, not far from Dublin. Tighearnach led the Irish to a great victory over the Norse Vikings in 848 A.D." Ó Tighearnaigh of Ormond A family of the name resided in Ormond, now County Tipperary. Their origins are obscure. New research now confirms that this family was indeed an indigenous sept. Their seat was in the townland of Park and their lands, Fearann Ó Tighearnaigh, took in most of the present-day townlands of Ballymackey, Ballyknockane, Carrowea, Clash, Falleen, Gortnadrumman, Kilgorteen and Knockane. Ó Tighearnaigh of Corcu Modruad This is an area in northern County Clare. This sept were hereditary priests and monks. People In arts and media Brian Tierney (medievalist) (1922–2019), historian and medievalist Mark Aloysius Tierney (1795–1862), English Catholic historian Patrick Lennox Tierney (1914–2015), art historian, specialist on Japan Tom Tierney (artist) (1928–2014), American paper doll artist Film, television, and theatre Eileen Wilson Powell (1894-1942) American actress born Julia Mary Tierney Gene Tierney (1920–1991), American stage and film actress Gerard "Jerry" Tierney (1924–1985), American actor known as Scott Brady Jacob Tierney (born 1979),