UK surname
An occupational surname derived from the Old French word 'torner', meaning one who practices the trade of turning wood or metal.
In the 1881 census there were 6 people recorded with the Turmer surname, ranking it #32,926 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 12, ranked #37,385, down from #32,926 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Rochdale, Chesterford, Great and St Pancras. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Turmer is 162 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 100.0%.
1881 census count
6
Ranked #32,926
Modern count
12
2016, ranked #37,385
Peak year
1861
162 bearers
Map years
2
1861 to 1891
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Turmer surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Turmer surname density by area, 1891 census.
Timeline
Back to topThe table below tracks recorded surname counts and rank from the 19th-century census years through the modern adult-register period.
| Year | Period | Count | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1851 | historical | 7 | #32,070 |
| 1861 | historical | 162 | #14,310 |
| 1881 | historical | 6 | #32,926 |
| 1891 | historical | 128 | #20,393 |
| 1901 | historical | 26 | #31,152 |
| 1911 | historical | 5 | #33,427 |
| 1997 | modern | 21 | #35,692 |
| 1998 | modern | 20 | #35,885 |
| 1999 | modern | 20 | #35,923 |
| 2000 | modern | 18 | #36,104 |
| 2001 | modern | 18 | #35,961 |
| 2002 | modern | 20 | #35,894 |
| 2003 | modern | 19 | #36,011 |
| 2004 | modern | 18 | #36,245 |
| 2005 | modern | 19 | #36,247 |
| 2006 | modern | 20 | #36,254 |
| 2007 | modern | 20 | #36,362 |
| 2008 | modern | 20 | #36,443 |
| 2009 | modern | 21 | #36,470 |
| 2010 | modern | 20 | #36,599 |
| 2011 | modern | 19 | #36,668 |
| 2012 | modern | 22 | #36,431 |
| 2013 | modern | 18 | #36,787 |
| 2014 | modern | 15 | #37,070 |
| 2015 | modern | 14 | #37,157 |
| 2016 | modern | 12 | #37,385 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Rochdale, Chesterford, Great, St Pancras, St Paul Deptford, St Nicholas Deptford and Ipswich St Matthew. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.
The modern local-area list points to No data. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.
| Rank | Parish | Area |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rochdale | Lancashire |
| 2 | Chesterford, Great | Essex |
| 3 | St Pancras | London (North Districts) |
| 4 | St Paul Deptford, St Nicholas Deptford | London (South Districts) |
| 5 | Ipswich St Matthew | Suffolk |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Turmer surname in historical and recent records.
Recent female names
Recent male names
Modern profile
Back to topModern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Turmer, this points to the kinds of places where the surname is most concentrated today.
These neighbourhood labels describe areas, not individual people. They are useful because surnames often cluster through family history, migration, housing patterns and local work. A surname can be strongest in one type of neighbourhood even when people with that name live across the country.
The UK classification gives the national picture. The London classification is more specific to the capital, where housing, age profile, tenure and population mix can look quite different from the rest of the UK.
UK neighbourhood type
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Nationally, the Turmer surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Turmer household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.
London neighbourhood type
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Within London, Turmer is most associated with areas classed as No data, part of No data. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.
Broadband speed
The modern neighbourhood pattern for Turmer is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Turmer, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Turmer is believed to have originated in England, with records dating back to the late medieval period. The name is likely derived from an occupational source, with the root word being the Old English "turmere" or "turmman," meaning "one who operates a mill." The regions where the surname is first noted include Norfolk and Suffolk, areas well-known for their milling activities during that time.
Historical records show that the surname appears in various spellings over different periods. One of the earliest recorded instances of the name is John Turmer, found in the Norfolk Assize Rolls of 1286. These judicial records from the 13th century often included the names of local residents involved in legal proceedings, thus providing us with early examples of the surname.
In the 14th century, references to the surname continue to appear. A notable instance is Richard Turmer, documented in the Subsidy Rolls of Suffolk in 1327. Subsidy Rolls were tax records that included details of taxpayers, providing a valuable source for tracking the distribution and evolution of surnames over time.
Further evidence of the surname's use is found in parish records and wills. William Turmer's will, dated 1558 and recorded in Norwich, provides insights into the name's continuity in Norfolk. Parish registers from the late 16th and early 17th centuries also reflect the presence of the Turmer surname, such as the baptism of Margaret Turmer in 1601 in Suffolk, suggesting the name's persistence in the eastern counties of England.
The surname Turmer appears in various historical documents, indicating its usage over several centuries. Christopher Turmer, born in 1642, is another significant individual recorded in the diary of Samuel Pepys, who mentions him in a business context. This reference highlights the surname's presence in diverse social strata.
Famous people with the surname include John Turmer, a guild member in London during the late 1600s, and Anne Turmer, born in 1751, who was notable for her philanthropy and contributions to local education in Norfolk. These individuals illustrate the surname's prominence in different historical narratives.
By examining various records—from Assize Rolls and Subsidy Rolls to parish registers and personal diaries—it is evident that the surname Turmer has a rich and varied history in England, closely tied to occupations and regional developments spanning several centuries.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Turmer surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.
Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Gloucestershire leads with 3 Turmers recorded in 1881 and an index of 26.18x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Gloucestershire | 3 | 26.18x |
| Yorkshire | 2 | 3.45x |
| Glamorgan | 1 | 9.83x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Snowshill in Gloucestershire leads with 3 Turmers recorded in 1881 and an index of 30000.00x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Snowshill | 3 | 30000.00x |
| Skelton In Guisbrough | 2 | 1250.00x |
| Cardiff St John | 1 | 303.03x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Turmer surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
| Name | Count |
|---|---|
| Sarah | 2 |
| Christiana | 1 |
| Laetitia | 1 |
These are the male first names most often recorded with the Turmer surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
Occupational titles are kept as recorded and later transcribed, so related jobs, spelling variants and mistakes stay separate. Scholar was the census term for a child in education. That means the other rows often tell you more about adult work in Turmer households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| Farmer Of 100 Acres Employing 1 Man & 2 Boys | 1 |
| Fireman | 1 |
| Housemaid | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 6 people were recorded with the Turmer surname. That placed it at #32,926 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 12 in 2016. That gives Turmer a modern rank of #37,385.
An occupational surname derived from the Old French word 'torner', meaning one who practices the trade of turning wood or metal.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Turmer bearers relative to the surrounding population.
The historical counts come from census surname records. The modern counts and neighbourhood summaries come from later surname distribution records. Counts are recorded bearers in those records, not a live estimate of everyone with the name today.