In this paper, the modified Timoshenko beam model is used to analyze the vibration of piezoelectric nanowires in the presence of surface effects. Analytical relations are given for the natural frequency of nanowires by accounting for the effects of surface elasticity, residual surface tension, and transverse shear deformation. Through an example, it is shown that the natural frequency depends on both the surface stresses and piezoelectricity. This study is expected to provide useful insights for the design of piezoelectric-nanowire-based nanodevices. (C) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.