The Turner Coat of Arms and Name Meaning

Discover the meaning of Turner, its origins in England, and the story behind a Turner family crest.

Order your pack and our heraldry team researches and paints the Turner coat of arms for you.

Origin of the Turner name

Turner is an English occupational surname for a craftsman who shaped wood, bone or metal on a lathe, from Old French tornier. It may also refer to someone who turned a spit, or a translator. The name is widespread throughout England, particularly in the Midlands and the north.

Our historical archives hold much more on the Turner name: dates, names and records of early bearers.

This overview covers the Turner name in England. We also hold records of the name in other countries, such as the United States, Australia and Canada; your full pack is researched for your family's country of origin.

Get your full Turner family history

The complete Turner pack goes much further: documented origins, early records and family spread, plus a hand-checked coat of arms.

Turner name FAQ

What does the Turner name mean?

Lathe worker. Common variants include Tourner, Turnor, Turnour.

Where does the Turner surname come from?

It originates in England, and is also found in the United States, Australia and Canada.

Is there a Turner coat of arms?

Arms were granted to individuals, not whole surnames, so there is no single Turner crest. Herald Lab paints a personalized Turner coat of arms based on historic heraldry.

Researched by Herald Lab Research Studio, since 1993. Sources: Reaney & Wilson, Dictionary of English Surnames; Dictionary of American Family Names (Oxford); US Census Bureau 2010.