tighearna

Tighearna is a title or office that has been used in various cultures, but most notably in Old Irish society. In Anglo Irish and Scottish Gaelic contexts, Tighearna was used as a synonym for Laird or Lord of the manor. The term essentially referred to a sovereign or one who held dominion over a territory or land. This title was commonly used in the Middle Ages and is still employed in some traditional contexts.

In modern times, the term Tighearna has seen a resurgence in usage among Scottish and Welsh people in the context of modern Celtic identity movements. However, its use is not as widespread as its traditional counterparts like Seigneury, Laird or Lord. With this in mind, the use of the title Tighearna may range from informal to ceremonial and is mostly adopted as a cultural expression.

Tighearna-like titles also feature in other cultures and languages, such as the Scottish Gaelic word, clachan leader, 'balleshick' or the more modern 'Iron Tigherna' in some of the Irish communities in the United Kingdom.

As a mode of address, Tighearna can be followed by "taoiseach" or "the" for a more colloquial or honorific effect, while various suffixes to match name conventions. However, these instances can vary in context and may differ greatly depending on whether they apply to an historical period or a contemporary scene.

While lesser-known outside scholarly circles, the concept of Tighearna can offer insight into aspects of feudalism, land governance, and their evolution in the Celtic countries.