Clan Turnbull facts for kids
The Clan Turnbull is a Scottish clan with a long history. A "clan" is like a large family group, and "armigerous" means they have a special coat of arms that has been approved by the authorities.
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How the Turnbull Name Started
A famous story tells how the Turnbull name began. During the Wars of Scottish Independence, a brave man named William of Rule saved King Robert the Bruce. The King was attacked by a wild bull. William bravely grabbed the bull and wrestled it to the ground, saving the King's life.
For this amazing act, King Robert rewarded William with land in a place called Philiphaugh. The King also gave him the new name "Turnebull." Over time, the "e" was dropped, and it became "Turnbull."
The name "Rule" itself is very old in the Scottish Borders. It might come from St. Regulus, who arrived in Scotland long ago. Another idea is that the family came from Richard De Rollo, who was related to Rollo of Norway. Records show people named Rule living in the Scottish Borders around 1128.
There's a valley in Roxburghshire called the Valley of the Rule, with a river called Rule Water. Many small towns there, like Bedrule and Hallrule, have "Rule" in their names. The Turnbull family is said to have come from this valley.
The story of William Rule saving King Robert the Bruce is even mentioned in old Scottish records. A writer named John Leyden described it like this: "He rushed at Scotland's King, fast as lightning, / Bent his strong neck, to toss the startled horse; / His strong arms the brave hunter threw / Around its bending horns, and twisted upwards, / With twisting force its neck turned around, / And rolled the breathing monster on the ground, / Crushed, with huge strength, its bony skull: / And courtiers cheered the man, who turned the bull."
Some historians think the name "Turnbull" might come from older words like "Trumbald" (Old English) or "Tumbald" (French), meaning "strong and bold." Or it could be from Robertus de Turnbulyes, who swore loyalty to King Edward I of England in 1296.
Even with different ideas about the name's origin, most historians agree on a few things:
- Robert the Bruce gave land in Philiphaugh to William Turnebull.
- William Turnebull chose a bull's head as his special symbol. His family motto became "I Saved The King." Both of these are still part of the Turnbull clan crest today.
- The name Turnebull wasn't used before 1315. After William received his land, the name "Rule" was used less, and "Turnebull" became more common.
The Turnbulls became known as one of the most spirited families in the Scottish Borders. One Scottish nobleman said they didn't care much for politicians but always loved a good fight!
Before the Battle of Halidon Hill in 1333, a huge Turnbull warrior from the Scottish side, with his large black dog, challenged anyone from the English army to a fight. An English knight, Sir Robert Benhale, accepted the challenge and defeated both Turnbull and his dog.
Brave Turnbulls in Battle
Major Gordon Turnbull led a fierce attack by the 2nd Scots Greys cavalry against the French at the Battle of Waterloo. Even though they were outnumbered, the Scots broke Napoleon's famous cavalry. They even captured the eagle standard of the French 45th Ligne regiment. Wellington said they "fought like raging bulls," which was a compliment to their Turnbull leader. Five Turnbulls from his family fought in this battle; five were wounded, and one died.
Two Turnbulls received the Victoria Cross, which is the highest award for bravery in the British and Commonwealth forces. One of the most famous was James Youll Turnbull. In World War I, he single-handedly held a position for 24 hours against a large German force using a machine gun. The British couldn't send help because of heavy enemy fire. James Youll Turnbull held the ground alone, and his story became famous during the difficult war. He died the next day while leading an attack. Winston Churchill wrote about his bravery. After seeing Turnbull's body in his kilt, the Germans reportedly called the Scots "The Devils in Dress" and "Ladies from Hell!"
The Turnbulls owned land all over the Borders. They were even the only clan to have a special reward offered for them by the King. William Turnbull received land from Robert the Bruce in 1315. John Turnbull also received land from King David II of Scotland.
Turnbulls Through the Centuries
John Turnbull, known as "Outwith sword" because of his fierce temper, was a Scottish prisoner of war in England around 1400. William Turnbull held an important church position in 1433 and was a leader at Glasgow Cathedral in 1452. Stephen Tournebulle represented Scotland at the University of Orleans in the early 1500s.
William Turnbull, who was a Bishop of Glasgow, helped create the University of Glasgow in 1450. His dream came true when the university was officially founded in 1451.
Many Turnbull families moved into the Cheviot Hills and northern Northumberland, depending on the politics of the time. Some who became "English" changed their church from Presbyterian to the Church of England. For example, John Turnbull, born in 1789, was baptized in a Presbyterian church but later attended Anglican churches. He became a land agent for the Earl of Liverpool.
Turnbulls in the New World
During the American Civil War, the Turnbull family home was where Robert E. Lee lived for the last 13 weeks of the war. Because of their loyalty, Lee's family bible was given to Mrs. Turnbull. She had three sons fighting for Lee's army; one was killed, and two were wounded. 17 Turnbulls fought for the Confederacy. Five died in combat, including two in Pickett's Charge, where family stories say a Turnbull was the first to jump over the wall. Lee's family bible was returned by Scott V. Turnbull to Lee's son in 1870.
French Turnbulls
William Turnbull was born in Scotland and was an archer in the Garde Ecossaise, a special Scottish guard created by Charles VII of France. In 1474, William became a French citizen. At this time, he became "Guillaume de Tournebulle." He started a noble French family in the Champagne region. His family's coat of arms was the same as the Turnbull of Bedrule family.
Other Famous Turnbulls
- Bill Turnbull (died 2022) was a well-known journalist in the UK. He worked on breakfast TV and later for Classic FM radio.
- Herbert Turnbull (died 1961) was a brilliant mathematician who made important contributions to the study of algebra.
- George Turnbull, born in Scotland, was called "The first railway engineer of India." He was the Chief Engineer for building about 500 miles of the first railway in India in the 1850s.
- Jonathan Trumbull was a Governor of Connecticut. His sons included Joseph Trumbull, Jonathan Trumbull, Jr., and John Trumbull the painter.
- Robert Blair Mayne, nicknamed Paddy, was a famous soldier whose great-great-great-grandmother was related to Major Gordon Turnbull.
- Malcolm Turnbull is an Australian politician who was the 29th Prime Minister of Australia.
- Constance Mary Turnbull (1927–2008) was a Professor Emeritus and wrote an important book called 'History of Singapore'. She was also the first woman to join the Malayan Civil Service.
- Ray Turnbull (died 2017) was a Canadian curling champion and coach. He was also known as the voice of curling in Canada for over 25 years.
- Carl David Turnbow, Sr. served in the Vietnam War and bravely defended his infantry.
Turnbull Castles
The Turnbull clan was associated with several castles and towers in Scotland:
- Fatlips Castle
- Barnhills Tower
- Bedrule Castle
- Barnshills Castle
- Fulton Tower
Images for kids
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James Youll Turnbull VC, a brave Turnbull who received the Victoria Cross.
See also
