Surname Turnbull - Meaning and Origin

Unmasking Family Mysteries: My Experience with the iGENEA DNA Test and the Turnbull Surname

Leveraging the potent power of genetics, the iGENEA DNA Test offers illuminating insights into one's lineage, as was the case in my exploration of the Turnbull surname. What was an intriguing journey through history and genetics also fostered unexpected familial ties.

P. Turnbull

Turnbull: What does the surname Turnbull mean?

The surname Turnbull is of Scottish origin and has an interesting story behind it. The name is inherently descriptive, deriving from the Old English term "turnen", meaning to turn or twist, and "bule", a bull. The surname was reputedly given by King Robert Bruce to William of Rule, who saved the king's life during a hunting expedition by wrestling with and turning over a charging bull. Subsequently, the king granted William with lands in southern Scotland, which he ruled under the new name "Turnbull". The name soon started to represent courage, strength, and an unwavering spirit. There are several variations of the name including Trumbell, Trimble, and Trumble. With a rich history, the Turnbull name is prevalent across Scotland and Northern England and is carried by many individuals who have ancestral roots in these areas. Today, the Turnbull name has spread worldwide due to significant migration over centuries.

Turnbull: Where does the name Turnbull come from?

Turnbull is a surname of Scottish origin. It is one of the most widely distributed surnames in English speaking countries. Specifically, the name is most common today in the United Kingdom, Australia, and Canada.

In the United Kingdom, Turnbull is primarily found in Scotland in the counties of Lanarkshire, Ayrshire, and Midlothian. According to an online database in 2012, it was the 46th most common surname in Scotland. In Canada, Turnbull was the 476th most common name overall, and specific hotspots of Turnbulls could be found in Ontario and British Columbia.

The Scottish surname is particularly popular in Australia, where it was ranked 27th in the most common surnames in the country. In 2014, it was estimated that there were close to 60,000 people with the surname Turnbull in Australia. This is believed to be because many settlers from Scotland came to Australia in the 19th century and brought their family name with them.

Turnbull is popular in other parts of the world, particularly in the United States where it was the 807th most common surname in Turner County Georgia. The name is also prevalent in New Zealand and South Africa where many Scottish settlers brought their surnames with them.

Variations of the surname Turnbull

Turnbull is an English-language habitational surname derived from any of several places in northern England and Scotland. The origin of the name is oftentimes linked to Tun-bere-hala, which is an old British language meaning "the marshy or encircled valley". The spelling of Turnbull can vary, with alternative versions such as Tunberell, Tunberel, Tunbrulle, Tunbrill, Turnberell, Turnbrel, Turnbrill, Turnbryll, and Turnbrylle.

In addition to different spellings, there are also some variants of Turnbull, including Tunball, Tunbalk, Tuneball, Tunelle, Tunhell, Turnel, Turnell, Turnep, and Turnip. These variants can be found in United States and British censuses.

Surnames with the same origin include Tunbrill, Turnbill, and Turnbrill. These names are associated with the same geographical locations and are sometimes used interchangeably with Turnbull.

Furthermore, Turnbull is related to the Scottish clan name 'Turnbull'. The clan is made up of several prominent branches who originate from the Borders, Ayrshire, and Dumfriesshire. The name is common among members of the clan and throughout their descendants.

Overall, the Turnbull surname is a common habitational name that can be found with varying spellings and variants all stemming from British and Scottish places, as well as the associated Scottish clan.

Famous people with the name Turnbull

• Malcolm Turnbull: Former Prime Minister of Australia.
• Alex Turnbull: The eldest son of Malcolm and Lucy Turnbull.
• David Turnbull: Professional footballer for Motherwell Football Club.
• Will Turnbull: Keynote Speaker, Author, Influencer, and Safety Professional.
• Andrew Turnbull: Former MP for Ipswich.
• Adam Turnbull: Professional basketball player for the Columbian Nuggets.
• Margaret Turnbull: Astronomer and astrophysicist.
• John Turnbull: Former Major League Baseball player.
• Robyn Turnbull: World-renowned quilter and fabric designer.
• Zadie Turnbull: Professional golfer and Olympic athlete.
• Roy Turnbull: British Army World War II veteran.
• Ian Turnbull: Australian rugby league player.
• Guy Turnbull: English children's author and illustrator.
• Jonathan Turnbull: Professional ice hockey player.
• Harriet Turnbull: British athlete.
• Peter Turnbull: Former Royal Navy officer.
• Janet Turnbull: Conservationist and Patron of Pogleswood Wildlife Reserve.
• Albert Turnbull: World-renowned ceramic artist.
• Doug Turnbull: YouTube personality, wilderness enthusiast, and outdoorsman.
• Brian Turnbull: Former Australian football goalkeeper.

Other surnames

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