Show ContentsTarn History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Early Origins of the Tarn family

The surname Tarn was first found in Aberdeenshire (Gaelic: Siorrachd Obar Dheathain), a historic county, and present day Council Area of Aberdeen, located in the Grampian region of northeastern Scotland, where they held a family seat in their territories. The Pictish influence on Scottish history diminished after Kenneth Macalpine became King of all Scotland. But those east coast families still played an important role in government and were more accessible to Government than their western highland counterparts. Allegiances were important to Scottish middle age survival. The first of the surname on record was Adam Turin in the year 1323 in Fyvin.

Early History of the Tarn family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Tarn research. Another 126 words (9 lines of text) covering the years 1417, 1563 and 1745 are included under the topic Early Tarn History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Tarn Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Turing, Turin, Torn, Tarn, Thurin, Thuring, Turyn, Turyne, Turing and many more.

Early Notables of the Tarn family

More information is included under the topic Early Tarn Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


United States Tarn migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Tarn Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Stephen Tarn, who settled in Illinois in 1855

Contemporary Notables of the name Tarn (post 1700) +

  • Mrs. Elizabeth Tarn Booth M.B.E., British former Headteacher at Dalmain Primary School, was appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire on 29th December 2018 for services to Education and to the Arts in the London Borough of Lewisham 1


The Tarn Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Audentes fortuna juvat
Motto Translation: Fortune Assists the Daring.


  1. "Birthday and New Year Honours Lists (1940 to 2019)." Issue 62507, 28 December 2018 | London Gazette, The Gazette, Dec. 2018, www.thegazette.co.uk/honours-lists


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