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Our Family Name and Origin

"Tiers (MacTier) of Scotland"

Original spellings of our family surname:
Tier, Teir, Tyre, Teare, Tear, MacTier, MacTear, McTeir

Mac ( . . . contracted to M’, Mc, Mc) is a Gaelic prefix meaning "son". Many Gaelic names are translated phonetically into English to preserve the sound of the original. Before the spelling of one’s name became important for documents, the spelling was left to the discretion of the writer who was often a government official. For immigrants this was the immigration officer and the "thick" Scottish accent led to a multitude of spellings that all sounded the same.

It was common for names to be shortened. For example, MacIntyre in some instances was shortened to (‘Teir) or translated (in English) "Wrightson" or both "Wright".

Although they are pronounced the same in English, standing alone in Gaelic, Tire,Tier, and Tyr can be translated as "wolf", and would not be pronounced the same as Teir, Teer or Tere, meaning "wright." Spelling in English as a way to differentiate Gaelic names is "iffy" at best. Family history and location in Scotland are the best methods to determine the most probable Clan association for a surname.

The word "tierce" is English and comes from Old French (feminine of tiers meaning third). Tierce (tîrs), also "terce" (tûrs) means: the third of the seven canonical hours and is no longer in liturgical use.

The Tiers (MacTiers) were allies of the MacIntyre clan and could have actually been blood kin but it is clear that the Tiers associated themselves with the MacIntyre clan and Coat of Arms. The MacTiers could be a sept of Clan Ross (Clann Andrias).

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Origin:

Scottish
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Coat of Arms:

An eagle displayed Gules beaked and membered Sable, charged on the breast with a plate.
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Crest:

A dexter hand holding a dagger in pale Proper.
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Motto:

Per ardua.
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Motto Translated:

Through difficulties.
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