Cairney is a surname. Notable people with the surname include:
Gemma Cairney (born 1985), English radio and television presenter Harry Cairney (born 1961), Scottish footballer Jim Cairney (1931–2018), Scottish footballer Joe Cairney (1956–2009), Scottish footballer John Cairney (1930–2023), Scottish actor John Cairney (anatomist) (1898–1966), New Zealand doctor and writer John Cairney (mycologist) (1959–2012), Scottish-Australian mycologist Paul Cairney (born 1987), Scottish footballer Tom Cairney (born 1991), Scottish footballer
See also Cairnie, a village in Aberdeenshire, Scotland