Kiernan — The Little Lord

Kiernan is a shortened form of McKiernan, from Mac Tighearnáin, ‘son of Tighearnán’ — a pet form of tighearna, ‘lord’. The clan takes its name from a Tighearnán who lived around 1100, and its chiefs ruled Tullyhunco in County Cavan into the 1600s, kin by descent to the McGoverns of neighbouring Tullyhaw.

Despite the sound, it has nothing to do with Kieran: this is a name built on lordship, and Cavan is still where it is most at home.

Irish form: Mac Tighearnáin