Early Origins of the MacTurk family
The surname MacTurk was first found in
Dumfriesshire (Gaelic: Siorrachd Dhùn Phris), a Southern area, bordering on
England that today forms part of the Dumfries and
Galloway Council Area, where they held a
family seat on the English/Scottish border. After the
Norman Conquest of
England many of Duke William's rebellious Barons moved north. The border became a convenient but turbulent no-man's land where the persecuted took haven. In the 16th century they became known as the 'unruly clans'. The name was first recorded in Muchrum in 1538 when John McTurk held estates. Captain MacTurk is a fictional character in Sir Walter Scott's 19th century novel Saint Ronan's Well published in 1823 and Mr. MacTurk appears in the novel Shirley, by Charlotte Bronte.
Early History of the MacTurk family
This web page shows only a small excerpt of our MacTurk research.
Another 138 words (10 lines of text) covering the years 167 and 1672 are included under the topic Early MacTurk History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
MacTurk Spelling Variations
Spelling variations of this family name include: McTurk, McTork, McTurie, McTuire, McTurck and others.
Early Notables of the MacTurk family (pre 1700)
More information is included under the topic Early MacTurk Notables in all our
PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Migration of the MacTurk family to Ireland
Some of the MacTurk family moved to
Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 166 words (12 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Migration of the MacTurk family to the New World and Oceana
Some of the first settlers of this family name were:
MacTurk Settlers in United States in the 20th Century
- David MacTurk, who arrived in America, in 1911
- Robert W. MacTurk, aged 32, who arrived in America, in 1918
- Elizabeth MacTurk, aged 27, who arrived in Easthampton, U.S.A., in 1921
- John Macturk, aged 46, who arrived in America, in 1922
- Kathleen Mary MacTurk, aged 20, who arrived in America from Holland, Fen., England, in 1923
- ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
MacTurk Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century
- James Macturk, who settled in Ontario in 1871
Contemporary Notables of the name MacTurk (post 1700)
- G.G. MacTurk, British contemporary author of numerous books on railroad history
The MacTurk 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: Pace vel bello
Motto Translation: In peace or war