Tourneur

Tourneur is a French surname, derived from the Old French word tourneor, meaning "turner." This occupation referred to a craftsman who used a lathe to shape wood, metal, or other materials into rounded objects. In medieval times, this was a skilled trade involved in crafting items such as bowls, chair legs, and other cylindrical components.

The surname Tourneur, therefore, originated as an occupational name for someone engaged in this trade. Surnames of this type, denoting a person's profession, were common during the Middle Ages as populations grew and it became necessary to distinguish individuals with the same given name. The name is found primarily in France, reflecting its linguistic origins.

Variations of the surname, reflecting regional dialects and spelling conventions, may exist. The anglicized version of the name is Turner, a common surname in English-speaking countries that carries the same occupational meaning.