Show ContentsTerence History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The Terence surname is an Anglicization, derived from the Irish Gaelic "Mac Toirdhealbhaigh."

Early Origins of the Terence family

The surname Terence was first found in Leinster, where they held a family seat as chiefs of Hy-Cinselagh. Irish history, after the Norman Conquest of England, was strongly influenced by the invasion of Strongbow in 1172, almost equal to the enormous Irish cultural impact on England Scotland, Wales and the whole of Europe before the Norman Conquest from the 1st to 7th centuries. Many Irish clanns, sept names were intermixed and family groupings became almost indistinguishable. This family name was found later in Armagh and Down to the north where the name also became a Christian Name.

Early History of the Terence family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Terence research. Another 102 words (7 lines of text) covering the year 1172 is included under the topic Early Terence History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Terence Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: McTurley, Turley, McTirlay, Turlough, McTurlogh, McTorrilogh, Torley, McTerrelly, Terrance, Terence, Terry, McTorrilogh, McTirloch and many more.

Early Notables of the Terence family

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

Migration of the Terence family

Some of the first settlers of this family name or some of its variants were: Edward Turley, who received a land patent in Maryland in 1674; Francis Turley, who came to Virginia in 1682; James Turley, who arrived in Charles Town [Charleston], South Carolina from Ireland in 1791 aboard the brig ".


Contemporary Notables of the name Terence (post 1700) +

  • Jack Terence, American politician, Candidate for Mayor of Houston, Texas, 1999
  • Brendon Terence April (b. 1993), South African rugby union player
  • Mr. Robert Terence Halliday B.E.M., British recipient of the British Empire Medal on 8th June 2018, for services to the community in Anfield, Liverpool 1
  • Paul Terence Conneally (b. 1959), English poet, artist and musician
  • Sir Michael Terence Wogan KBE, DL (1938-2016), more commonly known as Terry Wogan, an Irish radio and television broadcaster for the BBC
  • Cecil Terence Ingold (1905-2010), British botanist and mycologist, president of the British Mycological Society
  • Peter Terence Coffill (b. 1957), English footballer who played from 1975 to 1991, Torquay United F.C.-Player of the Season in 1981
  • Major Ronald Terence Bunting (1924-1984), British Army officer and unionist politician in Northern Ireland
  • Michael Terence Chernoff (1946-2011), Canadian retired NHL and WHA ice hockey left winger
  • Walter Terence Stace (1886-1967), British civil servant, educator, public philosopher and epistemologist


  1. "Birthday and New Year Honours Lists (1940 to 2019)." Issue 62310, 31 October 2019 | London Gazette, The Gazette, June 2018, https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/62310/supplement/B1


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