Surname MacTurley - Meaning and Origin
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MacTurley: What does the surname MacTurley mean?
The last name MacTurley is a Scottish surname of Irish origin. It is an Anglicized form of the Gaelic Mac an tSaoir, which means "son of the craftsman" or "son of the mason".
The surname is most commonly found in Ulster, particularly in Donegal and Tyrone in Northern Ireland and also in Argyll in Scotland. It is a popular surname in the United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.
The name MacTurley is an indicator of a family’s craftsmanship and masonry skills. The families of this name were some of the first craftsmen to be freed by the English during the Plantation of Ulster. These families established the trade of masonry and craftsmanship in Ulster.
The surnames of Turley and Thornton, which are derived from MacTurley, are still common in Ulster.
The MacTurley family has a long and proud history. They have a rich heritage, and many members of the MacTurley family have made great contributions to their communities through their skill, intelligence and creativity. Their legacy will continue for generations to come.
Order DNA origin analysisMacTurley: Where does the name MacTurley come from?
The last name MacTurley is most commonly found in Ireland and Scotland. It is derived from the old Scottish Gaelic surnames MacThormaid and MacTirghail, and is thought to mean "son of Thor Maid (servant of Thor)". It is believed to have originated from a Norseman who settled in Scotland or Ireland during the Dark Ages or Medieval period.
It is not known how common the surname MacTurley is today as records of its use are difficult to come by. However, it is known to be scattered throughout Scotland and Ireland. It is especially common in some rural areas of Ireland, particularly in counties Donegal, Galway and Mayo. In Scotland, it is more prevalent in the north and east - most commonly in Ayrshire, Glasgow and Edinburgh.
It is thought that many of those with the surname MacTurley have since emigrated to other countries, and therefore its numbers may have decreased in these places. Nevertheless, many have kept the unique name through generations.
Beyond Scotland and Ireland, there are pockets of MacTurley's scattered in countries throughout North America, Australia, the United Kingdom and further afield. More significantly, people of Scottish and Irish descent are likely to carry the surname in some form.
Variations of the surname MacTurley
The surname MacTurley is a Gaelic surname derived from the patronymic “Mac Toirdealbhaigh” which means “son of Thor Tully”. Variations of this surname include MacTearlai, MacTerrill, MacTerroll, and MacTurlagh. Old spellings of this surname include MacTurle, MacThurle, and MacTurlie.
In Ireland, this surname is quite rare and is often found in counties Donegal, Sligo, Leitrim, and Dublin. The MacTurley’s were initially located in Tyrawly, which was a barony in County Mayo.
Alternative spellings and variants of MacTurley that may be seen include MacTiraille, MacTearlach, MacTiryealaigh, MacTirileigh, and MacTerill. Some of the more common Anglicized forms of this surname include Turley, Turely, Turly, Terrally, Tirrill, Terrill, Tierally, Tierrally, Tirlaigh, and Tirlough.
Outside of Ireland, MacTurley may be seen as Turely or Turley. The surname has been found in the United States, with the earliest record belonging to Thomas Turill who arrived in Virginia in 1711. It has also been found in Australia, where it arrived in the 1800s. The surname is also found in Scotland, but is a quite rare occurrence.
In conclusion, the surname MacTurley is an Irish Gaelic patronymic surname that has several variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. This surname is most commonly found in counties in Eastern Ireland and the United States, but can also be found in Scotland and Australia.
Famous people with the name MacTurley
- Stuart MacTurely: Canadian actor best known for playing Trevor Ogilvie on the CBC drama series Street Legal.
- Lorne MacTurely: Canadian jazz muscian and one of the founding members of the Lighthouse All-Stars.
- Peggy MacTurely: Canadian actress and comedian best known for a recurring role as Victoria MacTurely on the television show The Kids in the Hall.
- Jesse MacTurely: Canadian singer-songwriter and guitarist best known for the albums Young Hearts and Diamonds and Rust.
- Henry MacTurely: Canadian playwright and author best known for writing the best-selling book, The Secrets of a World Without Fear.
- Jon MacTurely: Canadian musician and songwriter best known for his work with the band Thrill Parade.
- William MacTurely: Canadian ice hockey player and coach who served as the captain of the Vancouver Canucks for three seasons.
- Liza MacTurely: Canadian flutist and woodwind player known for her performances in the orchestras of the National Ballet of Canada and the Canadian Opera Company.
- David MacTurely: Canadian architect and urban designer best known for his work on the Gateway Bridge in Vancouver.
- Kevin MacTurely: Canadian athlete who competed in the 1984 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, winning a bronze medal in rowing.