O'Tierney Last Name: Meaning and Heraldic Roots

Ask a genealogist about O'Tierney and the first name they will mention is Tierney.

Taken at its root, O'Tierney points to “Descendant of Tighearnach ("lordly")”. With its O' prefix, O'Tierney keeps Tierney intact and marks descent in the older style. Local scribes, dialects and emigration all left their mark on how the name was written. You may also find the name written Tiernay.

Heraldry and the O'Tierney name

Heraldry is personal: arms associated with the Tierney surname were borne by specific families, and sharing the name does not mean sharing the blazon.

Get the complete O'Tierney report, with a museum-style coat of arms.