Pronunciation of Tierney, please?

[Lisa in California]

My husband's ancestor was Patrick Tierney, born c1838 in County Cavan, possibly in (the parish of?) Knockbride.

I am wondering how he might have pronounced his name, please?  Living in the states, I've heard it pronounced Tear-knee.  We have found records from Mr. Tierney's time in Dundee, Scotland (during the 1860s) and in some cases other Tierney's were recorded as Tarney (among other spellings).

I know that correct spelling was not a concern "back then" and there were many reasons why someone's name would be spelled different ways.

However, yesterday I found a notice of the passing of Mr. Tierney's wife (her death was in California) and the spelling was again Tarney.  I started wondering how he might have pronounced his name.  Now, just out of curiosity, would anyone know, please, how someone who was born and possibly lived in County Cavan would have pronounced the name Tierney?  Thank you, Lisa

[StanleysChesterton]

I'd pronounce that as a bodily function and a body part: Tear nee.

[Lisa in California]

There are two ways to say tear, aren't there?    Thank you for clearly stating your pronunciation.   

Thank you for posting, it's nice to know how others would pronounce the word. 

[StanleysChesterton]

I went to school with a girl called Kierney - and that's how she pronounced it.

[Lisa in California]

Thank you, StanleysChesterton.  That's perfect. 

[Rosinish]

Lisa,

I know someone with the same surname pronounced as you thought....teernee (so as not to confuse with tear/rip).

What you need to think of is.........an Irish accent could make the "teer" sound like "tare" & of course when other's write things they tend to spell it as it sounds (well, in those days) whereas nowadays they usually ask how it's spelled.

Annie

[Lisa in California]

Hi Annie:

Yes, there are several factors to consider when viewing surnames, including someone mistaking the writing, such as my Vaus ancestors who have been found as Vans and Ovens read as Owens.  It can certainly make researching a challenge!

Thank you for your interest in reading my thread and for your reply.  It is very much appreciated.   

[maduganme]

You mentioned Dundee in Scotland, I am Scottish and I would pronounce Tierney as teer/nay
with the pronunciation being more "eee" and as in the sound a horse would make...  neigh   
teernay

[Lisa in California]

Hi maduganme:

Thank you for your reply.  I'm at the point in the Tierney research that reading the little personal things is just as important as finding facts.  While I've researched my husband's ancestors quite a bit, the Tierneys are my "favourites".     Thank you for your help, maduganme.