Turnbill History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Scotland
Ireland

According to family tradition, the Turnbill surname comes from when a member of the Rule family saved the life of King Robert the Bruce at Stirling Park from a charging bull by turning the bull's head. The grateful King decreed that in commemoration of the brave act the new name of the family would be Turnbull, and granted them an area of land then known as Bedrule. 1 Other Etymology suggests that the name comes from the Old English Trumbald, meaning "strongly bold." 2

Early Origins of the Turnbill family

The surname Turnbill was first found in Yorkshire at Wakefield where Alan Tumbald was recorded in 1313. Three years later in 1316, the Thrumball spelling was used. Peter Thrumbald was listed there in 1315 and Reginald Thrumbald was found in the Subsidy Rolls for Suffolk in 1327. Alice Thrumbald, Trumbald was listed at Wakefield (1316-1317) and much later the Subsidy Rolls for Suffolk included an entry for Elizabeth Trumble in 1568. 2

The Yorkshire Poll Tax of 1379 included an entry for Johannes Turnebull. 3

Early History of the Turnbill family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Turnbill research. Another 272 words (19 lines of text) covering the years 1214, 1249, 1296, 1335, 1447, 1635, 1639, 1716 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Turnbill History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Turnbill Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Turnbull, Turnball, Trimble, Trimbell, Trumbell, Trumbill, Turnbul and many more.

Early Notables of the Turnbill family

Another 48 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Turnbill Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Turnbill family to Ireland

Some of the Turnbill family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 74 words (5 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Turnbill migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Turnbill Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

Robert Turnbill, aged 52, originally from Stanmor, who arrived in New York in 1903 aboard the ship "Cymric" from Liverpool, England 4
Noel Turnbill, aged 13, originally from Stanmor, who arrived in New York in 1903 aboard the ship "Cymric" from Liverpool, England 4
Robert Turnbill, aged 20, originally from Polmont, Scotland, who arrived in New York in 1912 aboard the ship "Caledonia" from Glasgow, Scotland 4
Thomas Stewart Turnbill, aged 20, who arrived in New York in 1918 aboard the ship "Toloa" from Liverpool, England 4

Contemporary Notables of the name Turnbill (post 1700) +

Bill Turnbill, Canadian Gemini Award winning Canadian Comedy Award nominated actor, known for his roles in Degrassi: The Next Generation (2012) and Todd and the Book of Pure Evil (2010-2012)

Citations +

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)
Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
Ellis Island Search retrieved 15th November 2022. Retrieved from https://heritage.statueofliberty.org/passenger-result