Show ContentsTurbeyfield History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Today's generation of the Turbeyfield family bears a name that was brought to England by the migration wave that was started by the Norman Conquest of 1066. The Turbeyfield family lived in Breconshire, Wales. Their name, however, is a reference to Turberville, Normandy, the family's place of residence prior to the Norman Conquest of England in 1066. 1

Coity Castle (Welsh: Castell Coety) in Glamorgan, Wales is a Norman castle built by Sir Payn "the Demon" de Turberville (fl. 1126), one of the legendary Twelve Knights of Glamorgan.

Crickhowell Castle in Crickhowell, Wales (now in ruins) was initially a motte and bailey castle built from around 1121, probably by Robert Turberville, a tenant of the Marcher lord Bernard de Neufmarché.

Early Origins of the Turbeyfield family

The surname Turbeyfield was first found in Breconshire where they were granted lands by William the Conqueror for their assistance at the Battle of Hastings in 1066 A.D. One of the first records of the surname was William de Turbeville (William Turbe), (c. 1095-1174), a medieval Bishop of Norwich.

"Within thirty years after the Conquest, Sir Payn de Turbervill accompanied Sir Robert Fitz-Hamon, to the aid of Jestin-ap-Gwrgant, King of Glamorgan, against Rhys, Prince of South Wales. Subsequently, on the death of Rhys, Fitz-Hamon, turning his forces against Jestin, and conquering his whole dominion, divided it amongst his followers. To the share of Sir Payn de Turberville were allotted the castle and lordship of Coyty, and then was established in Wales the great house of Turbevill, seated at Coyty, Tythegstone, Penbline, Lantwitt Major, and Ewenny Abbey. 2

"William de Troublevilla occurs in the Norman Exchequer Rolls of 1180-95. Payne de Turbeville witnessed the foundation charter of Neath Abbey, temp. Henry I. Hence the Turbevilles of Glamorgan and Brecon. William de Turbeville was of Dorset 1130; and in 1165 there were branches in York, Norfolk, Dorset, and Wilts." 1

An important branch of the family was found at Anstey in Wiltshire in early times. "Here was a commandery of the Knights Hospitallers, founded by Walter de Tuberville in the reign of John." 3

Later, Sir Henry de Turberville, Trubbeville, Trubleville (died 1239) was a noted English soldier and seneschal of Gascony from 1226 to 1231. A Devon man, he was reappointed seneschal of Gascony on 23 May 1234 and held the position until November 1238. He was known as strong fighter for the cause. 4

According to legend, a ghostly coach crosses the bridge by Woolbridge Manor near Wool, Dorset at night, but only those with Turberville blood can see it. One version claims the coach contains the ghosts of John Turberville of Woolbridge and Anne, the daughter of Thomas Howard, 1st Viscount Howard of Bindon on their elopement.

The d'Urberville family in Thomas Hardy's novel Tess of the d'Urbervilles, was based on the mediaeval Turberville family of Bere Regis, Dorset.

Early History of the Turbeyfield family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Turbeyfield research. Another 134 words (10 lines of text) covering the years 1540, 1549, 1555, 1559, 1568, 1570, 1597, 1612, 1648, 1678, 1681 and 1696 are included under the topic Early Turbeyfield History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Turbeyfield Spelling Variations

Before English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago, spelling variations of names were a common occurrence. Elements of Latin, Norman French and other languages became incorporated into English throughout the Middle Ages, and name spellings changed even among the literate. The variations of the surname Turbeyfield include Turbeyfield, Turberfield, Turbervile, Turbervill, Turberville and many more.

Early Notables of the Turbeyfield family

Outstanding amongst the family at this time was George Turberville, or Turbervile (1540 -1597), an English poet, second son of Nicholas Turberville of Whitchurch, Dorset, the same Dorset family, the D'Urbervilles of Mr Thomas Hardy's novel, Tess of the d'Urbervilles.James Turberville or Turbervyle (d. 1570?), was an English divine, Bishop of Exeter, born at Bere in Dorset, the son of John TurbervyleEdward Turberville or Turbervile (c. 1648-1681), was a Welsh informer, who perjured himself in support of the alleged Popish Plot. James Turberville (or Turbervyle) (died 1559) born at Bere Regis in Dorset was Bishop of Exeter from 1555. He lived...
Another 101 words (7 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Turbeyfield Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


Australia Turbeyfield migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Turbeyfield Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • James Turbeyfield, English convict from Birmingham, Warwick, who was transported aboard the "Anson" on September 23, 1843, settling in Van Diemen's Land, Australia 5


  1. The Norman People and Their Existing Descendants in the British Dominions and the United States Of America. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing, 1975. Print. (ISBN 0-8063-0636-X)
  2. Burke, John Bernard, The Roll of Battle Abbey. London: Edward Churton, 26, Holles Street, 1848, Print.
  3. Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
  4. Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print
  5. State Library of Queensland. (Retrieved 2015, January 8) Anson voyage to Van Diemen's Land, Australia in 1843 with 499 passengers. Retrieved from http://www.convictrecords.com.au/ships/anson/1843


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