Turner

Scottish Clans

Turner Tartans & Clan

The Turner clan tartan represents one of Scotland's most distinguished occupational families, whose heritage spans from medieval craftsmen to pioneering settlers across North America, embodying centuries of Highland tradition and global achievement.

Heritage & Identity

Who Wears Turner Tartan?

Worn by Turner descendants worldwide, sept families including Turnbull and Torner bearers, Scottish craft guild members, and heritage enthusiasts across America, Canada, and Britain.

Shop Turner Tartan Products

Discover authentic Turner clan products including traditional kilts, Highland dress accessories, clan crests, tartan scarves, ties, and ceremonial items crafted for descendants across North America.

Turner Tartans

0 Variations

Each tartan can feature several variations, with the most common being Ancient, Modern, Weathered, Hunting and Dress.

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Ancient Tartan

Before 1860, all fabric dyes came from nature — plants, berries, bark, and insects. The colours they produced were softer and more muted than what we're used to today: think mossy greens, dusty sky blues, and reds with a warm, orangey tone. A lot of people actually prefer Ancient tartans for this reason — the gentler contrasts let the pattern breathe and stand out in a way that bolder colours sometimes don't. Worth knowing: the pattern itself, called the sett, is exactly the same across all variations of a tartan. It's only the colours that change.

The Turner Story

Four centuries of history woven into every thread

The Turner clan traces its origins to medieval Scottish craftsmen who mastered the art of turning wood, metal, and other materials on primitive lathes. First documented in 12th century Scottish burghs, Turner families established themselves as essential artisans in Edinburgh, Glasgow, and border towns. These skilled craftsmen produced everything from furniture and bowls to weaponry components, earning royal patronage and guild recognition. Early Turners served as burgesses and guild masters, wielding considerable influence in Scotland's emerging merchant class and urban development.

During the 14th and 15th centuries, Turner families expanded beyond traditional crafts into trade and land ownership throughout the Scottish Borders and Lowlands. Notable clan members included John Turner of Edinburgh, who served as a royal craftsman, and his descendants who established workshops across Scotland. The family weathered the Wars of Scottish Independence while maintaining their craft traditions and burgess privileges. Turners distinguished themselves during border conflicts, providing essential military supplies and serving as skilled armorers for Scottish forces.

Where does the name Turner come from?

Turner derives from Old French 'tourneur' and Middle English 'turnere,' meaning 'one who works with a lathe' or 'craftsman who shapes objects by turning.' This occupational surname originated in medieval Scotland among skilled woodworkers, metalworkers, and pottery makers. The name spread throughout the Scottish Lowlands and Borders, where Turner families established themselves as respected artisans and guild members in burghs across Scotland.

The 16th and 17th centuries saw Turner families embrace new opportunities during Scotland's religious and political upheavals. Clan members supported the Reformation while maintaining their craft guilds and workshop traditions. Many Turners served as skilled artisans for Scottish nobility, creating furniture and decorative items for castles and manor houses. The family began emigrating to Ulster during the Plantation period, establishing Turner settlements that would later contribute to North American colonization efforts in Pennsylvania, Virginia, and the Carolinas.

Throughout the 18th and 19th centuries, Turners distinguished themselves as pioneers in North American settlement and industrial development. Clan members established workshops in colonial America, contributing to furniture making, mill construction, and early manufacturing. Turner families served in colonial militias, the Continental Army, and later Canadian forces during various conflicts. The clan produced notable craftsmen, inventors, and entrepreneurs who helped build communities across the American frontier and Canadian territories, maintaining strong connections to their Scottish heritage.