Surname Tyner - Meaning and Origin

Unraveling My Celtic Roots & Discovering Family Ties: My Experience with the iGENEA DNA Test

My examination of the iGENEA DNA test covers the unexpected insights I gained about my Celtic surname, Tyner, and the unexpected relatives I discovered via the DNA database.

N. Tyner

Tyner: What does the surname Tyner mean?

The surname Tyner is of Irish origin and derives from the Gaelic "O'Teimhneain" which means "descendant of Teimhnean." The name Teimhnean itself is believed to be derived from the Gaelic word "teimhean," meaning "dark." It is therefore often reputed to mean "dark one" but could also mean "one who dwells in darkness," metaphorically referring to someone who is mysterious or elusive. It first found roots in County Mayo in western Ireland. Over the years, the surname has had various spellings including Tynan, Titan, Tynon, and Tynnan. Despite its Irish origin, the surname is now found all over the world due to migration and diaspora. Renowned individuals with the Tyner surname include the late American jazz pianist McCoy Tyner and Irish novelist Colin Bateman, born Colin Barr (who uses the pen name Colin Bateman Tyner).

Tyner: Where does the name Tyner come from?

The last name Tyner is most common in the United States today, particularly in the Southern Appalachian states. It generally refers to a family that is of Anglo-Scottish origin, and is believed to be a variant of the Tyndall surname. In the late nineteenth century, the surname Tyner began appearing on public documents such as census forms from several counties across the Southern Appalachian region.

Today, the name is commonly found in Georgia, Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee. According to the 2018 US Census, the top five states with the most Tyner’s are Georgia, Kentucky, Oklahoma, Virginia, and North Carolina. All of these states still have strong ties to the South Appalachian area and the family’s historic roots there.

The Tyner family also has strong connections to the South American countries of Peru and Bolivia. Records from the 18th and 19th centuries show that some families of this surname emigrated from these countries and settled in the Southern Appalachian area. This is especially evident in the states of Tennessee and Kentucky, where many people with the Tyner surname reside today.

In recent years, the popularity of the Tyner surname has extended to other parts of the United States as well. People from states such as Indiana, Illinois, Ohio, and New Mexico also trace their ancestry back to the Tyner family. This is likely due to intermarriage between families of different origins, as well as due to people leaving their Southern Appalachian homes for other parts of the country.

Overall, the name Tyner is most commonly found in the Southern Appalachian area today. The name has spread throughout the country in recent years due to intermarriage and migration, but is still predominantly found in the region where it originated.

Variations of the surname Tyner

The surname Tyner has several variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin. Some common variants include Tennor, Tyne, Tynor, Tyner, Tiner, Tyer, Teiner, Teyner, Teener and Tinor.

Tennor is an anglicized form of the Gaelic name Ó Tiarnaigh, which means a descendant of Tiarnach. Tyne is a local surname derived from the River Tyne and also an anglicized form of the Gaelic surname Mac an tSaoi. Tynor is a variant of Tyner which is an English patronymic surname derived from the personal names Tyn or Tyne. Tyer is an English patronymic surname derived from the personal name Tyer. Teiner is the German equivalent of a given name or surname like Tyner. Teyner is a more modern spelling of this surname. Teener is an Americanized version of Teiner or Tyner, and Tinor is a rare variant of this surname.

Overall, the main surname of Tyner is derived from the personal name Tyne or Tyn which has numerous other variants and spellings of the same origin.

Famous people with the name Tyner

• McCoy Tyner: Jazz pianist, known for his modal improvisation and unique stumbling block rhythms.
• Donny Tyner: Popular American Christian musician and singer-songwriter.
• Clyde Tyner: Professional American football player who played in the NFL and for the Cleveland Browns.
• Stephanie Tyner: Award-winning American author of books for young adults.
• Ben Tyner: Award-winning American composer of many film and television soundtracks.
• Carolyn Tyner: Notable US environmental activist and founding member of Greenpeace.
• Becca Tyner: American entrepreneur and fashion designer, who founded the clothing label "Bella Monaco".
• Aaron Tyner: Prominent American investor and venture capitalist, who made his fortune early on in life.
• Dave Tyner: American businessman and co-founder of the New York Stock Exchange.
• Gene Tyner: Award-winning US environmental photographer and documentary filmmaker.

Other surnames

Tynes