Surname Turner - Meaning and Origin

Unraveling The Mysteries of The Turner Surname Through An iGENEA DNA Test: A Personal Journey of Self-Discovery

Dive into a captivating personal journey of genealogical discovery through an iGENEA DNA test. Learn how the test traced back the history and origin of the surname Turner, and learn how a global network of Turners was created through the iGENEA DNA database.

N. Turner

Turner: What does the surname Turner mean?

The last name Turner has English origins and is an occupational surname derived from the Old French word "torneour," which translates to "lathe" or "one who works with a lathe." A lathe is a tool that shapes wood, metal, or other material. Therefore, the surname Turner is typically associated with individuals who were originally wood-turners or metal-turners by profession. During medieval times, the work of a turner was considered highly skilled artisan labor. The surname symbolizes the craft and mastery of the bearer's ancestors in working with wood or metal lathes. It is worth noting that the use of surnames was not widely prevalent until the Norman Conquest in 1066, and occupational surnames like Turner became more common in the centuries following this event. Today, it is a widespread surname in the United Kingdom, the United States, and other English-speaking countries.

Turner: Where does the name Turner come from?

The last name Turner is a common surname in English-speaking countries, such as the United States and the United Kingdom.

In the United States, Turner is the 83rd most popular surname. According to the 2010 Census, there were 566,687 people with this name. It was most common in the southeast and southern United States, with the highest concentration of people with the surname is in Georgia. It also has a very high concentration in Texas, South Carolina, Virginia, North Carolina, Tennessee and West Virginia.

In the United Kingdom, Turner is the 60th most common surname. According to 2011 Census data, there were 133,412 people with this name. It is most heavily concentrated in the northern regions of the UK, specifically in the North West and North East. It also has a very high concentration in Yorkshire and the Humber, as well as Midlands.

The last name Turner is also quite common in Canada, Australia, Scotland, and New Zealand. There are smaller numbers of people with this surname in Ireland, South Africa, and other parts of the world.

Variations of the surname Turner

The surname "Turner" has a range of variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin. The name can be derived from the Middle English "turne" or "turne" meaning "a lathe worker" or "maker of small objects". Other variants include:

•Terner/Thurner/Thirner: From the word “torner”, a variant of “turner” – a lathe worker

•Tournier: French variant of the surname

•Drechsler: German surname, derived from the word "Drechsler", meaning "turner" or "lathe worker"

•Torner: Scandinavian variant of “Turner”, meaning “lathe worker” or “maker of small objects”

•Tarner: Variant of “Turner”, stemming from an Old English word meaning “to twist or twine”

•Tornier: Dutch variant of the surname “Turner”

•Thurner: German, Swiss and Austrian variant of the surname "Turner", derived from "Thurner" meaning "a lathe worker"

•Tournament: French variant of the surname "Turner"

•Turneric: Ancient Background, derived from the word “Turner”

•Turonian: French variant, a variation of “Turner”

•Tyrner: Danish variant of the surname "Turner".

•Turnar: Scottish variant of “Turner”

•Turner-Burner: Double-barrelled variant of the surname

•Turney: Variant of the surname “Turner”

In the United States, the surname may also have been changed to sound more American or Anglicised, such as Learnar, Tanner, Terraner, or Ternor.

Famous people with the name Turner

• Tina Turner: Iconic singer-songwriter who has won 11 Grammys.
• Ike Turner: American musician and bandleader who achieved success in the 1950s and 1960s.
• Tina Majorino: American film and television actress.
• Kathleen Turner: American film and stage actress.
• Lana Turner: American actress who was one of Hollywood's most successful leading ladies in the 1950s.
• Natasha Turner: Canadian author, nutritionist, and holistic health consultant.
• Troy Turner: Former Major League Baseball pitcher and current first base coach for the Houston Astros.
• Ted Turner: American media mogul and philanthropist who founded CNN and the Turner Broadcasting System.
• Joe Turner: American singer-songwriter and pianist who had a major influence on rhythm and blues and rock and roll during the 1940s and 1950s.
• Cody Turner: Former NFL linebacker and current Oakland Raiders assistant special teams coach.
• Gibby Turner: Former Major League Baseball outfielder.
• Felicia Turner: Grammy-nominated American R&B artist, dancer, and songwriter.
• Sheree J. Wilson: American actress best known for her role as April Stevens Ewing on the TV series Dallas.
• Josh Turner: American country and gospel singer-songwriter.
• Jai Turner: American pop and jazz singer-songwriter.
• John Turner: Canadian lawyer and politician who served as the 17th Prime Minister of Canada.
• Joyce Turner: Stage and film actress.
• Richard Turner: American professional card mechanic and magician.
• Steve Turner: American musician, producer, and songwriter.
• Sam Turner: British professional racing cyclist.

Other surnames

Turner-HallTurner-ThomasTurney