Surname Turrill - Meaning and Origin
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Turrill: What does the surname Turrill mean?
The last name Turrill is of French origin and is derived from the first name Tourille, which itself is derived from the Old French "torue" which means "brave" or "bold". It was used as a given name in medieval France, and is found as a surname in England during the thirteenth century. The spelling of the surname changed to its current form as it made its way to North America.
Today, the surname Turrill is an uncommon name, usually found in regions of England and France. The Turrill family originally hailed from Somerset, England but their roots spread across Europe. Descendants of this family can be found living in the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.
The Turrills were traditionally farmers and craftsmen, highly esteemed for their skill in tanning leather. Some also had trade professions or served in the military. In France, the Turrills were active politicians and contractors.
In modern times, the Turrills are mostly known for their loyalty, reliability, and courage. These characteristics are reflected in their coat of arms: Three red roosters with black beaks on a white field. Combined with their strong moral core andikely find many successfull individuals who share this surname.
Order DNA origin analysisTurrill: Where does the name Turrill come from?
Today, the last name Turrill is most commonly found in the United States. According to the 2020 U.S. Census, about 2,400 people currently have the last name Turrill. The majority of these people live in the Midwest region of the country, with the states of Wisconsin and Illinois having the most individuals with the Turrill surname.
The name Turrill is thought to be of Norman descent, having roots in the pre-10th century French culture. Research shows that Turrill was first introduced in England by settlers, as evidenced by its earliest known records from the 11th century. The name Turrill likely comes from the Old French word "thuraille," meaning to send away or expel.
The last name Turrill can also be found in Scotland, England, and Wales. In these countries, it is common to find the name spelled as Turaille, Turrill, Tyrell, Torrall, and Turrell.
No matter where it is found, the last name Turrill remains distinct and although it is not a particularly common name, it is deeply rooted in various branches of the Turrill family tree.
Variations of the surname Turrill
The surname Turrill can have many different variants and spellings, as well as other surnames of the same origin. Different spellings of Turrill include Turrel, Turrill, Tyrrell, Terrill, Turrell, Terrell, Tarrell, and Torell. Spelling variations can often occur due to the fact that English spelling in the Middle Ages was mostly based on pronunciation, not necessarily how it is said today. As a result, an English surname with a few syllables could be spelled multiple ways depending on how it sounded.
There are other surnames that are either variants or shared a common ancestral root with Turrill. Some of these surnames include Tyrrell, Terrill, Turrell, Terrell, Tarrell, and Torell. Other surnames that could be related may include Tarran, Torrence, and Tyrell. Most of these surnames have roots in England or Scotland, likely deriving from locations with such names.
The origin of the Turrill surname is rooted in the Old English word “tyrrel,” which was used to describe a steward or governor of a large estate. The Middle English spelling of this word became fused with the Old French word “trell,” which referred to a person who was responsible for the proper care of trellis vines. This combination created a new name to refer to those responsible for chief stewardship over large manorial estates.
Overall, the surname Turrill has many different variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. The origin of this surname is deep-rooted in Middle English, which makes it difficult to trace it to an exact source.
Famous people with the name Turrill
- William Turrill, Canadian lawyer and watercolour artist
- Glen Turrill, former New Zealand cricketer
- Daphne Turrill, British actress
- Laura Turrill, former Canadian film actress
- John Turrill, British Conservative MP for Walsall North
- Evan Turrill, American actor and cinematographer
- David Turrill, Sr., American professional basketball player
- George Turrill, American locomotive superintendent
- Cleveland Turrill, American organist and composer
- Isiah Turrill, Jr., American former NFL football player