Surname Turn - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'T'
Turn: What does the surname Turn mean?
The surname Turn is of English origin and has multiple interpretations. Some researchers believe it is derived from the Old English term "thorne," signifying one who lived near a thorn bush or hedge. Considering the suffix “turn,” historians speculate it could have been an occupational name for someone who worked with a lathe, doing tasks involving turning. This comes from the Middle English term "turnen" meaning “to turn or revolve”. It could also potentially denote a geographical location, referring to someone who lived by a bend or turn in the road or river. However, like many surnames, the true origin can be difficult to determine due to the passage of time and changes in language. The name Turn is found in many historical records across England and Scotland, emphasizing its old English roots. It remains relatively rare, compared to other English surnames.
Order DNA origin analysisTurn: Where does the name Turn come from?
The Turn surname is quite common today across many countries, with a concentration in Poland. In the United States, for instance, the Turn surname is most prevalent in the states of Wisconsin, Texas, Pennsylvania, Minnesota, Michigan, and New York. Across Europe, particularly in countries such as Poland, Germany, and the Czech Republic, the prevalence of Turn surnames is much higher.
In Poland, the Turn surname is particularly associated with the areas of Warmia, Mazury, and Kuyavia-Pomerania. Around the city of Gdansk, in northern Poland, the name Turn can be found quite regularly. The presence of this surname in modern Poland likely dates back to the Middle Ages, as the area was quite heavily settled by Germanic peoples from the 12th century onward.
The Turn surname can also be found in other countries, such as the United Kingdom, Australia, and Canada, albeit in much smaller numbers.
In short, the Turn surname is quite common today across many countries, but particularly in the states of Wisconsin, Texas, Pennsylvania, Minnesota, Michigan, and New York in the United States, and Poland, Germany, and the Czech Republic in Europe.
Variations of the surname Turn
The surname Turn can have various spellings, variants and surnames of the same origin. These surnames include Tourn, Thurn, Turm, Tiern, Tyern, Turne, Burne, Turney and Terne.
The surname is typically known to be derived from the Old English pre 7th century “term or turn”, a postern or side gate in a walled town or residence, or a turnstile or door set in a hedge. It may have been used topographically for someone who lived by a turn or postern gate.
Alternatively, Turn may have originated as a nickname for an individual who was noted for frequently changing his mind or for regularly “turning” from one opinion to another.
The nickname could have had two distinct origins. It could have referred to a rather “flighty” person who was prone to changing his mind with little notice or warning. The second, more likely origin would have been derivation from an Old English word with the meaning of “crafty” or “sly”. In the Middle Ages, people who were wily or display devious behavior met with condemnation and speculative disparagement.
The surname Turn is first found in County Yorkshire, where they were seated from ancient times and held a family seat as Lords of the manor of Gretham. Other early examples of the name include Robert Turspeterere (1275-1280) in the Hundred Rolls of Suffolk, and in the church records of Lancashire, the marriage of Joana Turne and Roger lomax on July 8, 1594.
Today, many variations of the surname Turn are prevalent, including Turner, Tunclair, Tournier, Thorn, Tournay, Turnall, Turnam, Turpin, Tauer and Tourn. There are many other spellings as well, ranging from Thurney to Turney.
Famous people with the name Turn
1.Johnny Turner: Former MLB pitcher 2.Sharon Turner: Professional golfer 3.Jody Turner: Singer-songwriter and music producer 4.Arthur Turner: Australian politician 5.Ethel Turner: Australian novelist 6.Vernon Turner: Retired American professional basketball player 7.Terry Turner: Retired English footballer 8.Paul Turner: Former rugby league footballer 9.Lillian Turner: Known for her art and activism 10.Brian Turner: Former British Army soldier, now poet and author