Surname Turkington - Meaning and Origin
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Turkington: What does the surname Turkington mean?
Turkington is a surname originally derived from the Norse-Viking personal name "Thor Ketill," which later morphed into "Thurkettle" in Old English. "Thor" refers to the Norse god of thunder, while "Ketill" means "kettle" or "helmet," referring symbolically to protection or safety. This name was used among the Northern Vikings and early Anglo-Saxon people.
Over time, this name was modified through regional dialects and variations in spelling. "Thurkettle" gradually transformed into surnames including "Turkington," "Turkentine," and "Turkington." The name is most commonly used in Northern Ireland and parts of England, indicating the family's seafaring roots and their migrating from Scandinavia to the British Isles.
In summary, the surname Turkington originates from a Viking personal name, indicative of the family's Scandinavian heritage. Its profound symbolism reflects the traits of power, protection, and safety associated with the god Thor and helmet or kettle.
Order DNA origin analysisTurkington: Where does the name Turkington come from?
The last name Turkington is most commonly found in the United Kingdom and Ireland. It is believed to have originated in the early 17th century in County Antrim, Ireland. Historically a Norman-Irish surname, Turkington has since spread to many other areas. Today, it is found in a variety of countries around the world, including the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.
In the UK, Turkington is most common in Northern Ireland, where many of the Turkington family settled in the 17th century. It is also found in England in certain cities such as London, Leeds, Manchester, Liverpool, and Bristol. In Scotland, the name is most common in Aberdeen and Edinburgh.
In the US, Turkington is most commonly found in areas with large Irish populations, such as New York, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island. In Canada, the name can be found mainly in Ontario and coastal British Columbia. In Australia, Turkington can be found in Victoria, New South Wales, and Western Australia. In New Zealand, the name is most commonly found in Auckland, Waikato, and Bay of Plenty.
Despite its widespread reach, the last name Turkington is still associated with its Irish origins. To this day, many Turkingtons still carry a strong sense of proud Irish heritage.
Variations of the surname Turkington
The variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin for the surname Turkington include Torrington, Turkingham, Turkinton, Turkingtun, and Turkingtom.
The surname Turkington is derived from the Old English term “Tyrdunn” which means ‘croft’ or ‘enclosure of land with a dwelling’. It originated in the village of Turkington, Derbyshire, in the 12th century. The surname has since spread to other parts of England, Ireland, Scotland, Australia, and the United States.
Variations to the original surname Turkington include Torrington which could also be derived from the Old English term “Tyrdunn” but with the prefix “tor” which means hill or mound. This would make the variant suitable for those living on higher ground or atop a hill or mound.
The variants of the surname also include Turkingham, which is a combination of the surname Turkington and the Old English “ham” meaning home or village. So, Turkingham could mean the home or village of Turkington or from Turkington.
Other variants include Turkingtun, which is an alteration of the second part of the original surname Turkington, to include the Old English “tun” meaning enclosure or settlement; and Turkingtom which is a diminutive of the surname Turkington which was derived from the suffix “tom” meaning diminutive.
In conclusion, the variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin for the surname Turkington include Torrington, Turkingham, Turkinton, Turkingtun, and Turkingtom. Each variant was derived from the original surname Turkington which in turn was derived from the Old English term “Tyrdunn” which means ‘croft’ or ‘enclosure of land with a dwelling.
Famous people with the name Turkington
- Rachael Turkington: Canadian television personality.
- Jason Turkington: American television writer and producer.
- Dario Franchitti: Scottish professional racing driver and four-time series champion.
- Bryan Turkington: British comedy actor.
- Doug Turkington: English international cricketer.
- Rebecca Turkington: English actress.
- Peter Turkington: Australian rugby league footballer.
- Duncan Turkington: Canadian business entrepreneur.
- Paul Turkington: Former Australian rules footballer.
- William Turkington: Canadian professional ice hockey player.
- Lydia Turkington: English TV presenter and radio presenter.
- Arthur Turkington: Irish Gaelic footballer.
- Stephen Turkington: Irish reality TV personality and comedian.
- Ricky Turkington: American Major League Baseball player.
- Ryan Turkington: Former Scottish international rugby union player.
- Gene Turkington: American stand up comedian and actor.