Turner History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

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England
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Etymology of Turner

What does the name Turner mean?

Turner is a name that came to England in the 11th century wave of migration that was set off by the Norman Conquest of 1066. Turner is a name for a lathe worker. The surname Turner was originally derived from the Old French verb tourneour, meaning to turn on a lathe. Such a craftsman would have fashioned basically cylindrical objects out of wood, metal, and bone. 1

Early Origins of the Turner family

The surname Turner was first found in Oxfordshire in midland England but was found throughout England. "It is well represented in the midlands, especially in Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, and Staffordshire, and is also numerous in Lancashire." 2 Mark Antony Lower in his source Patronymica Britannica suggests that the name is all "out of all proportion, to the number of persons engaged in the trade" of the lathe. He argues that the family may have first appeared before the Conquest in a grant to the monastery of Croyland, in 1051, being signed, among others, by a Turnerus Capellanus. 3 Moreover, the family was also quite numerous in Scotland from early times.

The Hundredorum Rolls list: Aylbricht le Turnur in London in 1271; Geoffrey le Turner in Cambridgeshire; and William le Tumor in Oxfordshire. The latter two listings were probably made in 1273. The Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379 list Johannes Tumour, turnour. Ironically there are very few listings in the early rolls of the trade. Calendarium Rotulorum Originalium listed William le Tournour and Kirby's Quest listed Henry le Tornour in Somerset during the first year of Edward III reign. 4 1

In Scotland, "a family of this name had possession of the estate of Ardwall in the parish of New Abbey for many generations." 5 Black continues Thomas dictus Tumour held land in Aberdeen in 1382; John Turnoure held land in Irvine in 1426; William Tumour, merchant of Scotland, had a safe conduct in England, 1473; William Turnoure is recorded in Edinburgh, 1482.

Early History of the Turner family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Turner research. Another 187 words (13 lines of text) covering the years 1180, 1191, 1300, 1500, 1575, 1585, 1591, 1600, 1607, 1615, 1617, 1623, 1626, 1638, 1645, 1662, 1663, 1668, 1669, 1672, 1675, 1676, 1677, 1688, 1691, 1693, 1700, 1707, 1714, 1735 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Turner History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Turner Spelling Variations

Before the advent of the printing press and the first dictionaries, the English language was not standardized. Sound was what guided spelling in the Middle Ages, so one person's name was often recorded under several variations during a single lifetime. Spelling variations were common, even among the names of the most literate people. Known variations of the Turner family name include Turner, Turnerus, Turnor, Turnour, Turnoure and many more.

Early Notables of the Turner family

Cyril Tourneur, Turnour or Turner (1575?-1626), English dramatist, born about 1575, probably a near relative and possibly the son of Captain Richard Turnor or Turner
Sir Timothy Turner SL JP (1585-1677), an English judge
Thomas Turner (1591-1672), an English Royalist churchman and Dean of Canterbury
Francis Turner D.D. (c. 1638-1700), English Bishop of Ely, one of the seven bishops who petitioned against the Declaration of Indulgence and one of the nine bishops who refused to take the oath of all...
Thomas Turner (1645-1714), an English churchman and academic, Archdeacon of Essex and President of Corpus Christi College, Oxford (1688-1714)
Sir William Turner (1615-1693), an English Sheriff of London (1662-1663), Lord Mayor of London (1668-1669)

Turner World Ranking

the United States, the name Turner is the 44^th most popular surname with an estimated 378,024 people with that name. 6 However, in Canada, the name Turner is ranked the 111^st most popular surname with an estimated 26,409 people with that name. 7 And in Newfoundland, Canada, the name Turner is the 395^th popular surname with an estimated 118 people with that name. 8 Australia ranks Turner as 37^th with 45,848 people. 9 New Zealand ranks Turner as 28^th with 5,764 people. 10 The United Kingdom ranks Turner as 28^th with 109,971 people. 11

Migration of the Turner family to Ireland

Some of the Turner family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 57 words (4 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Turner migration to the United States +

To escape the political and religious chaos of this era, thousands of English families began to migrate to the New World in search of land and freedom from religious and political persecution. The passage was expensive and the ships were dark, crowded, and unsafe; however, those who made the voyage safely were encountered opportunities that were not available to them in their homeland. Many of the families that reached the New World at this time went on to make important contributions to the emerging nations of the United States and Canada. Research into various historical records has revealed some of first members of the Turner family to immigrate North America:

Turner Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

William Turner who settled in Maine in 1607
Henry Turner, who settled in Virginia in 1615
Mr. Thomas Turner, aged 11, who arrived in Virginia in 1616 aboard the ship "Mary Gold" 13
Robert Turner, aged 26, who was on record in Virginia in 1619 aboard the ship "Tryall/Triall"
Abraham Turner, who arrived in Plymouth, Massachusetts in 1620
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Turner Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Andrew Turner, who landed in Virginia in 1701 14
Charles Turner, who landed in Virginia in 1705 14
James Turner, who arrived in Georgia in 1733 14
Alexander Turner, who landed in New England in 1738 14
John Turner and his wife Elizabeth Turner, who arrived at Philadelphia in 1742
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Turner Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Bartlett Turner, who arrived in New York, NY in 1811 14
Bartholomew Turner, aged 27, who landed in New York in 1812 14
Cath Turner, who landed in New York, NY in 1812 14
Duncan Turner, who landed in New York in 1820 14
Miss Mary Turner, aged 18, British spinner who arrived in New York aboard the ship "Louisa" in 1825
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Turner Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

Alfred Turner, who arrived in Mississippi in 1902 14
Albert Harry Turner, who arrived in Alabama in 1921 14

Turner migration to Canada +

Turner Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century

Francis Turner, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1749
Eleonora Turner, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1757
William Turner, who settled in Bonavista, Newfoundland in 1765 15
Mr. Edward Turner U.E. who settled in Western District [The townships of Essex County and Kent County], Ontario c. 1778 arrived with 2 children 16
Private. Holden Turner U.E. who settled in Lincoln, Sunbury County, New Brunswick c. 1783 was passenger number 466 aboard the ship "HMS Clinton", picked up on November 14, 1783 at East River, New York, USA arriving in Port Roseway [Shelburne], Nova Scotia on December 13, 1783 he served in the 22nd Regiment of Foot 16
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Turner Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

Daniel Turner, who landed in Canada in 1832
John Turner, aged 25, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick aboard the ship "Edward Reid" in 1833
Agnes Turner, aged 23, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick aboard the ship "Neptune" in 1834
William Turner, aged 20, a labourer, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick aboard the ship "Perseus" in 1834
John Turner, aged 20, a labourer, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick aboard the ship "Perseus" in 1834
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Turner migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia included the First Fleet, Second Fleet and Third Fleet of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

First Fleet

Mr. Francis Turner, British settler convicted at Shrewsbury (Salop), England in 1788, sentenced to 7 years for theft, transported aboard the ship "Neptune, Scarborough or Surprize" leaving in 1789 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1790 12
Mr. Mark Turner, (1759 - 1802), aged 29, British settler convicted in Surrey, England in 1788, sentenced to 7 years for poaching, transported aboard the ship "Scarborough" leaving in 1789 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1790 13
Mr. Richard Turner, (1765 - 1816), aged 24, British settler convicted at Somerset, England in 1787, sentenced to 7 years for stealing a pig, transported aboard the ship "Neptune" leaving in 1789 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1790 13
Miss Rachel Turner, (1762 - 1838), aged 25, British servant convicted in Middlesex, England in 1787, sentenced to 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the ship "Lady Juliana" leaving in 1789 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1790 13

Second Fleet

Mr. William Turner, British settler convicted in Kent, England in 1790, sentenced to 14 years for theft, transported aboard the ship "William and Ann" leaving in 1790 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1791 13
Miss Ann Turner, British settler convicted in Surrey, England in 1790, sentenced to 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the ship "Third Fleet" leaving in 1790 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1791 13
Mr. John Turner, British settler convicted in Norwich, England in 1790, sentenced to 7 years for poaching, transported aboard the ship "William and Ann" leaving in 1790 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1791 13
Mr. Richard Turner, British settler convicted in Norfolk, England in 1790, sentenced to Life for theft, transported aboard the ship "Albermarle" leaving in 1790 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1791 13
Mr. Robert Turner, (d. 1792), British settler convicted in Northumberland, England in 1790, sentenced to 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the ship "William and Ann" leaving in 1790 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1791 13

Third Fleet

Mr. Ralph Turner, (b. 1749), aged 38, English convicted in Manchester, England on 14th April 1785, sentenced for 7 years for theft, transported aboard the ship "Alexander" leaving in 1787, died before they set sail 13
Mr. John Turner, (b. 1739), aged 48, English settler convicted in Maidstone, Kent on 1st April 1783, sentenced for 7 years for theft of food, transported aboard the ship "Friendship" leaving in 1787 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1788 13
Mr. Thomas Turner, (b. 1739), aged 48, English settler convicted in Oxford, Oxfordshire on 6th March 1782, sentenced for 7 years for highway robbery, transported aboard the ship "Friendship" leaving in 1787 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1788, died shortly after arriving 13
Mr. John Turner, (b. 1758), aged 29, English settler convicted in York, Yorkshire on 24th July 1784, sentenced for 7 years for stealing animals, transported aboard the ship "Scarborough" leaving in 1787 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1788 13
Miss Mary Turner, (b. 1765), aged 22, English settler convicted in Worcester, Worcestershire on 5th March 1785, sentenced for 7 years for stealing clothing, transported aboard the ship "Lady Penrhyn" leaving in 1787 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1788 13

Following the First, Second and Third Fleets, other convicts and early settlers arriving in Australia include:

Turner Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Mr. David Turner, British Convict who was convicted in London, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Earl Cornwallis" in August 1800, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 17
Mr. James Turner, (Roberts, Richard), British convict who was convicted in Parkhurst, Newport, Isle of Wight for life, transported aboard the "Duke of Portland" in January 1807, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 18
Mr. George Turner, (b. 1790), aged 23, English labourer who was convicted in Maidstone, Kent, England for life for highway robbery, transported aboard the "Earl Spencer" in May 1813, arriving in New South Wales, Australia, he died in 1872 19
Mr. Francis Turner, English convict who was convicted in Middlesex, England for life, transported aboard the "Baring" in April 1815, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 20
Mr. Thomas Turner, English convict who was convicted in Middlesex, England for life, transported aboard the "Elizabeth" in May 1816, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 21
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Turner migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Turner Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Peter Turner, who landed in Friendly Island, NZ, New Zealand in 1830
W Turner, who landed in Auckland, New Zealand in 1834
Thomas Turner, who landed in Bay of Islands, New Zealand in 1836
Benjamin Turner, who landed in Bay of Islands, New Zealand in 1836
W Turner, who landed in Waipa River, New Zealand in 1839
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Turner migration to West Indies +

The British first settled the British West Indies around 1604. They made many attempts but failed in some to establish settlements on the Islands including Saint Lucia and Grenada. By 1627 they had managed to establish settlements on St. Kitts (St. Christopher) and Barbados, but by 1641 the Spanish had moved in and destroyed some of these including those at Providence Island. The British continued to expand the settlements including setting the First Federation in the British West Indies by 1674; some of the islands include Barbados, Bermuda, Cayman Island, Turks and Caicos, Jamaica and Belize then known as British Honduras. By the 1960's many of the islands became independent after the West Indies Federation which existed from 1958 to 1962 failed due to internal political conflicts. After this a number of Eastern Caribbean islands formed a free association. 22

Turner Settlers in West Indies in the 17th Century

Mr. Thomas Turner, (b. 1610), aged 25, British settler traveling aboard the ship "Matthew" arriving in St Christopher (Saint Kitts) in 1635 23
Mr. Mathew Turner, (b. 1589), aged 46, British settler traveling aboard the ship "Paul of London" arriving in St Christopher (Saint Kitts) in 1635 23

Contemporary Notables of the name Turner (post 1700) +

John Napier Wyndham Turner PC, CC, QC (1929-2020), Canadian Rhodes Scholar, lawyer, and politician who served as the 17th Prime Minister of Canada
Stan Turner (1944-2025), American news presenter, main anchor at KSTP-TV Minneapolis/St. Paul during the 1980s, main anchor at KSTP-TV's parent company Hubbard Broadcasting's All News Channel (1989-2002)
Robby Turner (1962-1963), American pedal steel guitarist, best known for work with Waylon Jennings and contributions to recordings by many other artists
Vyvyanne Elmore Turner (1922-2008), née Bugg, American private in the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion, first all-female, all-African-American battalion to server overseas
Sylvester Turner (1954-2025), American attorney and politician who served as the U.S. representative for Texas's 18th congressional district (2025), served as the 62nd mayor of Houston (2016-2024), Texas House of Representatives (1989-2016)
Frank Seaton Turner (1947-2025), American politician, Member of the Maryland House of Delegates (1995-2019)
Charles Henry Turner (1867-1923), American zoologist, entomologist, educator, and comparative psychologist, known for his studies on the behavior of insects, particularly bees and ants, the first African American to receive a graduate degree at the University of Cincinnati
Charlie Turner (1944-2024), American professional football player
Herschell C. Turner (1938-2024), American professional basketball player for the Chicago Majors (1961-1963), Pittsburgh Pipers (1967) and the Anaheim Amigos (1967-1968)
... (Another 59 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Historic Events for the Turner family +

Arrow Air Flight 1285

Mr. Vincent L Turner (1958-1985), American Sergeant from Huntsville, Alabama, USA who died in the Arrow Air Flight 1285 crash 24
Sarah Turner (1969-1985), from Bingley who attended the Bradford City and Lincoln City Third Division match on 11th May 1985 when the Bradford City stadium fire occurred and she died in the fire
Howard Turner (1944-1985), from Bingley who attended the Bradford City and Lincoln City Third Division match on 11th May 1985 when the Bradford City stadium fire occurred and he died in the fire
Mr. Joseph Turner, British Assistant Cook from United Kingdom who worked aboard the Empress of Ireland (1914) and survived the sinking 25
Mr. Joseph Henry Turner (1890-1914), Canadian Third Class Passenger from Calgary, Alberta, Canada who was traveling aboard the Empress of Ireland and died in the sinking 26
... (Another 43 entries are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Sources +

Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
Guppy, Henry Brougham, Homes of Family Names in Great Britain. 1890. Print.
Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
Dickinson, F.H., Kirby's Quest for Somerset of 16th of Edward the 3rd London: Harrison and Sons, Printers in Ordinary to Her Majesty, St, Martin's Lane, 1889. Print.
Black, George F., The Surnames of Scotland Their Origin, Meaning and History. New York: New York Public Library, 1946. Print. (ISBN 0-87104-172-3)
"What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
"Surnames Meanings, Origins & Distribution Maps - Forebears." Forebears, https://forebears.io/surnames
The order of Common Surnames in 1955 in Newfoundland retrieved on 20th October 2021 (retrieved from Family Names of the Island of Newfoundland by E.R. Seary corrected edition ISBN 0-7735-1782-0)
"Most Common Last Names in Australia." Forebears, https://forebears.io/australia/surnames
"Most Common Last Names in New Zealand." Forebears, https://forebears.io/new-zealand/surnames
"UK surname ranking." UK Surname map, https://www.surnamemap.eu/unitedkingdom/surnames_ranking.php?p=10
Convict Records of Australia. Retrieved 4th February 2021 from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships
Pilgrim Ship's of 1600's Retrieved January 6th 2023, retrieved from https://www.packrat-pro.com/ships/shiplist.htm
Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
Seary E.R., Family Names of the Island of Newfoundland, Montreal: McGill's-Queen's Universtity Press 1998 ISBN 0-7735-1782-0
Rubincam, Milton. The Old United Empire Loyalists List. Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc, 1976. (Originally published as; United Empire Loyalists. The Centennial of the Settlement of Upper Canada. Rose Publishing Company, 1885.) ISBN 0-8063-0331-X
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 13th August 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/earl-cornwallis
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 28th July 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/duke-of-portland
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 8th September 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/earl-spencer
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 16th September 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/baring
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 1st March 2022). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/elizabeth
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_West_Indies
Pilgrim Ship's of 1600's (Retrieved October 4th 2021 from https://www.packrat-pro.com/ships/shiplist.htm
American War Memorials - Flight 1285. (Retrieved 2016, August 24) . Retrieved from http://www.uswarmemorials.org/html/monument_details.php?SiteID=317&MemID=550
Commemoration Empress of Ireland 2014. (Retrieved 2014, June 17) . Retrieved from http://www.empress2014.ca/seclangen/listepsc1.html