Surname Marsh - Meaning and Origin
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Unraveling Ancestry: A Historical and Cultural Exploration of the Marsh Surname through iGENEA DNA Test
Carrying the intriguing legacy of the surname Marsh and keen to explore my ancestry, I embarked on a journey with the iGENEA DNA Test. The historical and cultural discoveries arising from the test illuminated the intricate history behind my name, which dates back to Anglo-Saxon England, and the winding path my forefathers traveled through significant events of world history. The test also offered intriguing hints at my ancestors' migration patterns and culture, and their interactions with diverse geographies and societies.
Y. Marsh
read moreMarsh: What does the surname Marsh mean?
The last name Marsh can be traced back to the medieval period when it was used to describe someone who lived near a body of water, such as a marsh or bog. It is derived from the Old English word mersc, which means “marshy meadow” or “fen”.
The surname can also be seen as a locational surname, suggesting that an individual with the surname Marsh was from a location near a marsh or bog. It is likely that those with this surname sought refuge in marshy areas in order to escape military battles during the Middle Ages.
In some cases, the surname Marsh is derived from the Old French word maresche, which referred to a “person in charge of a marsh”. This suggests that an individual with the surname Marsh may have once worked in a marshy area, or held a job related to the management of such an area.
The surname Marsh has been documented in many countries across the world, including England, France, Ireland and the United States. Today, those with the surname Marsh may be descended from families that originally moved to different parts of the world.
The modern English version of the surname Marsh is “Marshall”, which is often used as a first name. It has been suggested that the name has undergone a shift in spelling from mersc to marshal over centuries of usage. Today, those with the surname Marsh can be found in many countries worldwide.
Order DNA origin analysisMarsh: Where does the name Marsh come from?
The last name Marsh is most common in the United Kingdom, especially in England. According to the 2011 census, Marsh is the 100th most common last name in England and Wales. The top 5 regions where Marsh is most common are Yorkshire and the Humber, North West, South East, East Midlands, and West Midlands, respectively. The highest concentration of Marsh is in Yorkshire and the Humber, where 1.08 people in 1000 bear the name.
The next-highest concentration outside of the United Kingdom is found in the United States. According to the 2010 census, Marsh is the 1,167th most common surname in the United States. Within the United States, the states with the highest percentage of Marsh are Massachusetts, Virginia, and Oklahoma, respectively.
Lastly, Marsh is also found in some other parts of the world. It is a common name in Australia, as well as in other parts of Europe such as France and Finland, though it is also found in Asia and South America. It can be seen that Marsh is an international surname that is distributed in different parts of the world.
Variations of the surname Marsh
The surname Marsh has various spellings, variants, and surnames of the same origin. These include Marshman, Marche, Marches, Marschman, Marshtman, Marchman, Marsh59, Marchant, Mershman, Morschman, Morshman, and Morsman.
Marsh is an English and French topographic name for someone who lived near a marshy area. In some cases, it may have referred to a marshland ranger or someone employed by the local government to take care of and manage the marshland.
The surname Marshman is derived from the Middle English word “marschman”, which is thought to mean “remote herder”. This suggests it may have been used as an occupational surname for someone who had a job tending to cattle or sheep at the marshland.
The variant spelling Marche is derived from the Old French term “marchier”, which was an administrative official of the regions of France. The spelling Marschman is also believed to be derived from the Old French term for the same occupation.
The surnames Marchant and Morschman are derived from the Old French term “marchand”, which meant trader or merchant. The surname Marchman is a patronymic, derived from the personal name March, and the surname Mershman appears to be derived from the Old English “mersc” which means marsh.
The surnames Morshman and Morsman are believed to have originated from the Old German “marsman” which could have meant marsh worker or marsh ranger.
Overall, the various spellings and surnames of the same origin for Marsh reflect its history as an occupational surname related to roles in the marshlands in England and France.
Famous people with the name Marsh
- Ryan Marsh: Canadian motion graphics artist and director.
- Miles Marsh: United States Representative from Georgia in 1849.
- Kyle Marsh: American actor, known for his roles in Supernatural and The Vampire Diaries.
- Dennis Marsh: New Zealand singer and songwriter.
- John Marsh: English composer and music teacher.
- Mary Marsh: First female art instructor and director of the Cincinnati Art Museum.
- Antony Marsh: English cricketer.
- Trevor Marsh: British actor, known for his roles on Sleeping Beauty and Top Gear.
- Muriel Marsh: British actress in stage, film and television.
- Edward Marsh: British soldier and courtier.
- Francis Marsh: English clergyman and scholar.
- Peter Hugh Marsh: English archaeologist and historian.
- Marjorie Marsh: English actress, dancer and model.
- Alexander Mitchell Marsh: Australian politician.
- David Marsh: British politician.
- Alan Marsh: British scientist, professor and philanthropist.
- Noah Marsh: American engineer, inventor and developer.
- Rebecca Marsh: British outdoor designer, artist and alpine gardener.
- Christopher Marsham: 8th Baron Romney, British landowner and politician.
- Maddie Marsh: British actress, best known for her role on The Inbetweeners.