Tyree
A surname most likely taken from the Scottish island of Tiree, especially by people connected with the Hebrides.
The #3,695 most common surname in the United States (2010 Census) — about 1 in every 32,118 Americans shares it.
Etymology
Tyree is best understood as a locational surname from the island of Tiree in the Inner Hebrides of Scotland. The island’s Gaelic name is commonly explained as meaning something like “land of corn” or “corn-land,” from its association with fertile ground. As a surname, it would originally have identified someone who came from, lived on, or had connections with the island.
History
The provided sources mention Tyree only as a place name among the western Scottish islands, not as a surname entry, but that strongly supports a locational origin. The surname is found in English-speaking records in forms reflecting the island name’s spelling and pronunciation. In modern usage it is uncommon and may appear in spellings influenced by local pronunciation or by migration from Scotland.
Origin
Regions
Variant spellings
Fun fact
The island of Tiree is one of the sunniest places in Scotland, which helps explain why its Gaelic name is sometimes connected with fertile, cultivated land.
From the historical record
“CoRNAY stream from time immemorial. [Kornsa, Iceland ; Cornabus, Islay ; Cornquoy, Orkney ; CoRNAiG, Tyree.] Esja (F), 'clay;' in Eschedalr (ob.) (Esju-dalr), ' Clay Dale.' Godred II. is said to have given Esche- DALA to the Priory of St. Bees. This name be- came obsolete at an early date, as in 15 ii it is called…”
— The Surnames & Place-Names of the Isle of Man