Surname Turkyngton - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'T'
Turkyngton: What does the surname Turkyngton mean?
The surname Turkyngton does not have a specific meaning that can be traced in the common databases of surnames. It appears to be of obscure origin and relatively rare usage, which makes identifying its precise meaning or origin challenging. It could possibly be a geographical surname referring to a specific location, which is a common trend in surnames. For example, it could refer to someone from a town or village named Turkyngton, although no such location currently exists. Alternatively, the name could be derived from an old profession or trade, but again, no direct link is evident. Like with many unusual or rare surnames, Turkyngton may have undergone changes in spelling over the generations that could further obscure its original meaning. As a note, "Turk" could indicate Turkish ancestry, but this is purely speculative without further genealogical research. Without definitive sources providing the exact meaning and origin of the surname Turkyngton, its historical significance remains uncertain.
Order DNA origin analysisTurkyngton: Where does the name Turkyngton come from?
The last name Turkyngton is quite uncommon today and is largely found in the United Kingdom. It is a surname of Anglo-Saxon origin and is believed to have originated during the time of the Anglo-Saxon settlement of Britain. It is thought to be derived from the Old English personal name "Turc(ic)" or "Turk" combined with the suffix "-ing" and the Old English element "-ton" which is used to designate a town or settlement.
The name is most commonly found in Devon and Somerset, located in south-west England, where it’s believed to have been derived. However, it's also been identified in areas such as Cornwall, Midlands, East Anglia and Yorkshire.
Records of the surname date back to 1272, when a Walter Turnerkyngton was admitted to the county court in Somerset. The family took part in local government and was mainly involved in the wool trade. This indicates they may have owned land in the area and were of some standing.
Today, Turkyngton is far less common and it is thought there are no more than 500 bearers of the name, all of whom are mainly concentrated in British Isles. There are also traceable examples in Canada, the United States and Australia.
Overall, this rare British surname is largely concentrated in the south-west of England, with occasional traceable records emerging elsewhere in the world.
Variations of the surname Turkyngton
The surname Turkyngton is an English surname, derived from the Old English Orderic Turcington, meaning 'the settlement of Turchyn's people'. The variants, alternate spellings and surnames of the same origin include Turkington, Tercon, Tercomplen, Turkinton, Terrinkton, Tircen, Tirkeinton, Tirkynton, Tirceting, Torkentun, Terkenson, and Turkington.
The surname Turkyngton was initially given to the people who lived around a settlement where Turchyn was either a manager or a leader. Turchin was a common Old English name, itself derived from the Norse language.
The surname Turkyngton evolved in many different forms as it was brought over to England with successive waves of migration. Over the centuries, it changed in spelling and pronunciation due to both the fact that it was a spoken name, and because of the transitions of languages at that time.
Turkyngton is thought to have been first recorded in the Domesday Book in 1086, when it was spelled as Turchintune and described as a manor in Worcestershire. Other early records of the surname exist in different forms: such as Turthington in 1279, and Thurkenton in 1284. Throughout the centuries the surname has been found in many different countries, particularly in the United Kingdom, Ireland and the United States.
The bearers of Turkyngton have left their mark on history through a number of notable people who bore the name, such as Edward Turkington, who was the mayor of Exeter in the 17th century, and David Turkington who was an American Army private in World War I. The surname has also been used as a first or middle name in some families.
Today, the surname is still used as a family name in many countries and is fairly common, a testament to the legacy left behind by the people who originally bore the name.
Famous people with the name Turkyngton
- Billy Zane: American actor, producer, and businessman
- Joseph Turkyngton: English actor
- Andy Turkyngton: English actor
- William Turkyngton: English actor
- Sir John Turkyngton: 17th Century English statesman
- John Ray Turkyngton: American author
- John Turkyngton: English actor and singer
- Philip Turkyngton: English actor
- Robert Turkyngton: English dancer and choreographer
- Captain James Turkyngton: English sea captain
- Captain John Turkyngton: English Royal Navy officer
- John Digby Turkyngton: English painter