William Turnbull, Bishop of Glasgow, founder of Glasgow University
William Turnbull (c1400-1454), Bishop of Glasgow from 1448 until his death, has been described as the "patron and virtual founder" of the University of Glasgow and served as its first Chancellor. Born in Roxburghshire, Turnbull studied at the University of St Andrews, graduating MA in 1420. He went on to study canon law at...
Turnbull Tartan
The Turnbull's also have two tartans, the one being predominantly red in colour is the Dress tartan and the greenish one the Hunting tartan....
Clan Map
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How the Turnbull’s Gained Their Name
According to legend, Robert the Bruce went hunting in the great wood of Caledon, When he was charged by a fierce white bull. "Then a man of great spirit, leapt before the King and grappling with the bull, brought it to the earth and held it there until it was slain by the remaining...
Heraldic Arms
The earliest record of the Turnbull coat of arms is from 1455, recorded in the Standard Book of Scots Heraldry in the British Herald office, London. James Turnbull, the Clark to Robert Dundas. MP in 1759, gives the following description, which is quite significant: "The first of the name was a strong man of...
The Battle of Halidon Hill
HALIDON HILL 19 JULY 1333 Halidon Hill, according to legend, started off with a personal duel between Turnbull, a Scottish knight, and Sir Robert Benhale of Norfolk. After a great struggle, observed by the two armies, Benhale won. The Scots then gave the order to advance, their grooms taking their horses to the rear....
A True Account and description of the Original of the Name and Arms of Turnbull
The following true account and description of the Original of the Name and Arms of Turnbull was taken from the standard book of Scots Heraldry in the British Herald office at Doctor's Commons in London, the 9th Day of May 1759 by the proper clerk in that office in my presence;and from the following description...
From the Scottish Clans book
FOR SAVING THE LIFE of Robert Bruce when he was attacked by a wounded bull, one William of Rule was awarded lands and was thereafter known as Turn-e-bull. The Rule Water territory of the Turnbulls was a baronial possession of the House of Douglas. By 1510, the Turnbulls had become so scornful of the...
“Churches and Churchyards of Teviotdale” (1893) by James Robson
An excellent story concerning the TurnbulI's is told by James Robson in his "Churches and Churchyards of Teviotdale" (1893) In digging graves here (Bedrule) within recent years large numbers of bones have been, from time to time, unearthed. These in some cases have been found to be exceptionally large. This has led to the...
Breakdown of The Clan
The Turnbull were well known for their misdeeds and are frequently mentioned in Pitcairns Criminal Trials, recorded from court proceedings. By 1510, their reputation for unruliness and scorn of authority led to King James IV sending out a large force, from Edinburgh to spittal, to make an example of them. 200 members of the...
