Surname Terney - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'T'
Terney: What does the surname Terney mean?
Terney is a surname of Irish origin. It is derived from the Gaelic term "O'Tairneanigh," which means "descendant of the robust one." This indicates that the ancestors of the Terney family might have been known for their physical strength or resilience. As a relatively old surname, Terney is spread throughout Ireland and can be found in other countries as a result of the Irish diaspora. Family names like Terney often provide insights into the history, location, or occupation of the family's early ancestors. However, like many other surnames, the meaning may not necessarily apply to the family members today. Variations of the spelling include Tierney, Terny, and Tearney among others. As with all surnames, the meaning is not fixed and interpretations can differ based on regional and temporal context. It's worth noting discrepancies may also exist due to translation or transliteration differences across languages and dialects.
Order DNA origin analysisTerney: Where does the name Terney come from?
The last name Terney is most commonly found today in the United States and the United Kingdom. While the origin of the name is difficult to determine, one possible theory is that it was derived from the Gaelic term for chief, "tánaise".
In the United States, the Terney name is found across the country, but is most common on the East Coast. In some states, it is the 474th most common last name. In greater New York City, the Terney name has roots in the late 19th century immigrant wave from Ireland and Northern parts of the United Kingdom. In fact, records suggest that the first Terney to arrive in the United States came from County Clare in the 1840s.
In the UK, records indicate that there is a concentration of Terney surnames in Aberdeenshire in the North-East of Scotland which may have roots in an Irish diaspora in the 18th century.
Outside of these two countries, things become a bit more difficult to trace, as the Terney name is much less common. That said, records of Terney surnames can be found in Australia, Canada, and New Zealand, although the total number of people with the Terney surname today is in the hundreds, likely a result of emigration from both its US and UK origins.
Variations of the surname Terney
The surname Terney is derived from the Irish surname Tearney, and has a variety of alternate spellings which include Tirney, Terney, Teranny, and Tearneys. In some cases, the surname is shortened to Terny.
The Tearney surname is a variation of the O'Torney clan, with roots dating back to the 11th century in County Donegal. It is an Anglicized form of the Gaelic Ó Thighearnaigh, which means “descendant of Tighearnaigh”.
The Tearney clan has produced many well-known leaders and warriors of medieval Ireland. One of the most notable Tearneys was the 15th century Bishop of Raphoe, James Tearney. Other members of the clan who achieved fame include James Tearney, who was a prisoner of revolutionaries in 1798, and Cornelius Tearney, a historical figure mentioned in a French publication in 1804.
The Tearney surname is also seen in Scotland, especially in the Highlands. In this region, the name is often spelled as Torney, but many of the same variations are common.
In addition to its native forms, the Tearney surname has adopted a number of other spellings, including Terany, Tirany, Tireny, and Tyrany. These spellings are largely used by descendants of Tearney immigrants to the United States and Canada.
The Tearney clan is still alive in Ireland, and its members still carry on the legacy of their ancestors. As such, modern variants of the name continue to be used, such as Tierney, Teran, Teren, Ternay, and Terne.
Famous people with the name Terney
- Fred Terney: Former MLB pitcher; pitched for the Houston Astros, Pittsburgh Pirates, and Montreal Expos between 1976 and 1986.
- Harry Terney: Retired British Actor; appeared in the films 'Witness for the Prosecution' and 'Billy Budd'.
- Colin Terney: Renowned American folk singer, songwriter and actor. He released four solo albums and toured extensively throughout the U.S. and Europe.
- John Terney: Award-winning author; most famous works include 'The Stock Exchange' and 'The Last Tycoon'.
- Frances Terney: British philanthropist most known for her work with children's charities.
- Mike Terney: American REAL Estate Broker and small business owner.
- Steve Terney: Award-winning documentary maker; his films have won numerous awards and been screened in film festivals all over the world.
- Payton Terney: Professional basketball player with the WNBA's Seattle Storm.
- Patrick Terney: British actor best known for his roles in the TV show 'Oh! How I Wish'.
- Carolyn Terney: American writer and trend analyst; she has written for multiple publications, including Vanity Fair, The New York Times and Fortune Magazine.