MacTurk History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Scotland

Family Crest Image (JPG) Heritage Series - 600 DPI

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'.

A Galwegian surname, in Gaelic MocTuirc means 'son of Tore, ' from tore, a boar. ^[1]

The first record of the name was John Makturk in Mekle Ariewland in the barony of Mochrum, in record in 1538. Almost one hundred years later, Bessie Makturck was married in "Edinbergh" in 1621 and few years later, John Makterke, servitor of George Stewart of Robertoun was listed in 1624. ^[2]

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 86 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1674, 1684 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.

MacTurk migration to the United States +

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 migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

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

Citations +

^ Lowe, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
^ Black, George F., The Surnames of Scotland Their Origin, Meaning and History. New York: New York Public Library, 1946. Print. (ISBN 0-87104-172-3)