Surname Turney - Meaning and Origin

Decoding the Turney Legacy: My Insightful Journey Through DNA Analysis at iGENEA

Immersing myself in decoding my familial roots through DNA analysis at iGENEA, I discovered a rich narrative behind my surname, Turney. From possible knightly ancestry in medieval England to long-lost relatives worldwide, the test profoundly expanded my understanding of the Turney heritage.

H. Turney

Turney: What does the surname Turney mean?

The last name Turney is of English origin and derived from an occupation or trade. It is thought to have two possible origins. The first is derived from the Old French term "tornei", which was transferred into Medieval English as "tourney" - both terms refer to a tournament. This name could have been bestowed on those who organized these events or perhaps were champions of them. The second possibility is from the Old French word "tourn" or "tourne", which translates to "turn." This could be associated with individuals who worked as lathe operators, turning wood or metal on a machine to form various objects. Like many surnames of occupational or locational origin, the exact historical meaning may vary based on regional usage of the term. So while the name carries connotations of turning, spinning, or tournaments, the exact context or profession it refers to may differ from person to person and place to place. Therefore, the Turney surname reflects an occupational heritage that potentially spans several professions and regions.

Turney: Where does the name Turney come from?

The surname Turney is most commonly associated with the United Kingdom and Ireland. Records of the name show that Turney was most likely a nickname or sobriquet name, referring to a person who would frequently turn or twist during their work or activities, such as a tailor or rope-maker.

Today the surname Turney is most commonly found in England, with a concentration of the surname found in Cornwall. It is also common in the counties of Lancashire, Devon, Wiltshire, and in the cities of Birmingham and Bristol as well as in Scotland. In Ireland the surname Turney is mostly concentrated in counties Meath, Dublin and Cork.

In the United States, the surname Turney is most commonly found in the states of Arkansas, Oklahoma, Missouri, Indiana and Kentucky. Oftentimes, the surname Turney has been anglicized, with spelling variants such as Turney, Tourney, Thurney, or Ternay.

The surname Turney itself is much rarer in the United States, but the descendants of those who emigrated from the UK and Ireland are very numerous in the US today. Descendants of the Turney family can be found in the United States by conducting a genealogical DNA search of the surname.

Variations of the surname Turney

Turney is an uncommon anglicized Irish surname originating from the Gaelic Ó Tiománaigh sept of County Roscommon. It is an anglicised form of the native form of the name Ó Tiomáin, which means "descendant of Tiomanach".

Variants of the surname Turney include:

1. O Tuama: This is the most common variant of the Turney name. It is a common Anglicised version of the native form Ó Tiománaigh.

2. Teemy: This variation is often found in County Galway and may have been derived from Turminey.

3. Turny: This variant of the Turney name may have been derived as an abridgment from Turney.

4. Tuomey: This is another anglicised version of the native form Ó Tiománaigh.

5. Turminey: This variation of the Turney name is found mainly in County Fermanagh.

6. Turmney: This variant of the Turney name may have been derived from either Turminey or Turney.

7. Tormey: This, too, is a variant of the Turney name and is also found in County Roscommon.

8. Thornton: This is a name derived from the Gaelic name Ó Tiomáin, which is the same as Turney.

9. Tomney: This variant is commonly found in County Limerick.

10. Thomney: This version of the Turney name may have originated in the Ulster province.

Overall, the variants of the Turney surname are a testament to the widespread and eclectic nature of this surname. Each of these variants has unique characteristics that speak to their roots and localities of origin.

Famous people with the name Turney

• Meghan Turney: an American online media personality, cosplayer, and glamour model.
• Matthew Turney: an American actor known for his roles in films such as 'Precious Cargo' and 'Honey 2'.
• Tim Turney: a former Canadian Football League player who currently serves as the defensive line coach for the Edmonton Eskimos.
• Michael Turney: an American baseball coach and former pitcher.
• Rica Turney: a Canadian actress, best known for her roles on the television series 'Star Trek: Deep Space Nine' and 'Stargate Atlantis'.
• Drew Turney: an Australian actor, writer, and producer, best known for his roles in the 2007 film 'One Perfect Day' and the 2008 miniseries 'The Pacific'.
• James Turney: a former English cricketer.
• Meg Turney: an American internet personality, cosplayer, lingerie model, show host, and vlogger.
• Liz Turney: an American singer and songwriter, best known for her work in the folk/pop duo Darling West.
• Morgaine Turney: an Australian artist and photographer, best known for her abstract and figurative painted works.

Other surnames

TurnerTurner-HallTurner-Thomas