Show ContentsMarkle History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Early Origins of the Markle family

The surname Markle was first found in the ancient ecclesiastic parish of Rochdale of early-medieval origin in northern England, at Marland, an estate in the township of Castleton. "Marland, or Mereland (from its water), in this township (Castleton), is of high antiquity. Alan de Merland, Adam de Merland, and Andrew de Merland were living in the 13th century. A branch of the family of Marland continued to reside and hold lands at Marland from the earliest period until the latter part of the 17th century." 1

The Wills at Chester have three later entries for the family: James Marland, of Rochdale, 1584; Alice Marland, of Bradley; and John Marland, of Hartshead, Ashton-under-Lyne, 1610.

Alternatively, the name could have originated "from Marland (land on a lake) in Devonshire; dweller on the land by the lake." 2 3

The variant Martley claims their origin from Martley, a village and civil parish in the Malvern Hills district of the of Worcestershire.

Early History of the Markle family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Markle research. Another 86 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1455, 1487, 1659, 1693 and 1776 are included under the topic Early Markle History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Markle Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Marland, Markland, Merkland, Merland, Mearland, Marlane, Merlane, Mearlane, Marland and many more.

Early Notables of the Markle family

Distinguished members of the family include Jeremiah Markland (1693-1776), an English classical scholar, born in Childwall in Lancashire. He was the private tutor to the son of W. Strode of Punsbourn, Hertfordshire.Robert Markland was an English politician who sat in the House...
Another 41 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Markle Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Markle Ranking

In the United States, the name Markle is the 6,115th most popular surname with an estimated 4,974 people with that name. 4


United States Markle migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Markle Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • Hans Jacob Markle, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1749 5
  • John Markle, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1761 5
Markle Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Leopold Markle, who arrived in Allegany (Allegheny) County, Maryland in 1840 5
  • Jacob Markle, who landed in Allegany (Allegheny) County, Pennsylvania in 1848 5
  • Joseph Markle, who landed in New York in 1865 5
  • Charles N. Markle, aged 31, who landed in America from England, in 1892
  • C. Markle, aged 24, who landed in America from Liverpool, in 1892
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Markle Settlers in United States in the 20th Century
  • Emily Markle, aged 19, who landed in America, in 1908
  • JB Markle, aged 50, who settled in America, in 1908
  • Geo. W. Markle, aged 29, who immigrated to the United States, in 1909
  • George Markle, aged 32, who landed in America, in 1909
  • Frank Markle, aged 29, who immigrated to America, in 1920
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Canada Markle migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Markle Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century
  • Private. Frederick Markle U.E., (Maracle, Merkley)( b. 1756) born in Kingston, Ulster County, New York, USA who settled in Home District [Niagara-on-the-Lake], Ontario c. 1784 he served in Butler's Rangers, married to Rebecca Pickard having 13 children, he died in 1836 6
  • Private. Henry Markle U.E. (b. 1760) born in Marbletown, Ulster County, New York, USA who settled in Ancaster Township, Wentworth County [Ancaster], Ontario c. 1786 he served in Butler's Rangers, married to Maria Vrooman having 4 children, he died in 1812 6
  • Private. James Markle U.E., (Maracle) (b. 1753) born in Marbletown, Ulster County, New York, USA who settled in Ancaster Township, Wentworth County [Ancaster], Ontario c. 1786 he served in Butler's Rangers, he died in 1809 6
  • Sgt. John Markle U.E., (Marcale) (b. 1755) born in Marbletown, Ulster County, New York, USA who settled in Home District, Louth [Niagara], Ontario c. 1786 he served in Butler's Rangers, married to Margaret Smith having 7 children, he died in 1800 6
  • Mr. William Markle U.E., (Whilhelmus, Wilhelm) (b. 1754) born in Marbletown, Ulster County, New York, USA who settled in Ancaster Township, Wentworth County [Ancaster], Ontario c. 1786 married to Agnes having 9 children, he died in 1837 6

Contemporary Notables of the name Markle (post 1700) +

  • Rachel Meghan Markle (b. 1981), birth name of Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, American fashion model, spokesmodel, and actress, wife of Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex
  • Abraham Markle (1770-1826), American-born, Canadian businessman and political figure in Upper Canada
  • Clifford Monroe "Cliff" Markle (1894-1974), American Major League Baseball pitcher
  • Wilson Markle (1938-1970), Canadian engineer who invented the film colorization process in 1970
  • John Arthur "Jack" Markle (1907-1956), Canadian professional NHL ice hockey player
  • Fletcher Markle (1921-1991), Canadian actor, screenwriter, television producer and director
  • Christian Markle Straub (1804-1860), American Democratic Party politician, Schuylkill County Sheriff, 1849; U.S. Representative from Pennsylvania 11th District, 1853-55; Member of Pennsylvania State Senate, 1856-58 7


  1. Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
  2. Smith, Eldson Coles, New Dictionary of American Family Names New York: Harper & Row, 1956. Print
  3. Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
  4. "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
  5. Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
  6. Rubincam, Milton. The Old United Empire Loyalists List. Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc, 1976. (Originally published as; United Empire Loyalists. The Centennial of the Settlement of Upper Canada. Rose Publishing Company, 1885.) ISBN 0-8063-0331-X
  7. The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, December 10) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html


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