Martha History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Irish families fled the English-colonized Ireland in record numbers during the 19th century for North America. Many of those destitute families died from disease during, and even shortly after, the long journey. Although those that immigrated before the Great Potato Famine of the 1840s often were granted a tract of land, those that arrived later were generally accommodated in urban centers or in work camps. Those in the urban centers would labor in the manufacturing sector, whereas those in work camps would to build critical infrastructures such as bridges, canals, roads, and railways. Regardless of when these Irish immigrants came to North America, they were critical for the rapid development of the young nations of the United States and Canada. Early immigration and passenger lists have recorded many early immigrants bearing the name of Martha:

Martha Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

• Jacob Martha, aged 31, who landed in New York in 1854 2
• Marcus Martha, who arrived in New York in 1854 2
• Marge Martha, who landed in New York in 1854 2
• Marie Martha, aged 4, who arrived in New York in 1854 2
• Anna Martha, aged 25, who landed in New York in 1854 2
• ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Martha Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century

• Mr. John Martha U.E. who settled in Home District [York County], Ontario c. 1784 3

Martha Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

• Sarah Martha, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Lady Bruce" in 1846 4

• John Paul Martha (1942-2023), American NFL football safety who played for the Pittsburgh Steelers (1964–1969) and the Denver Broncos (1970)
• Alfeu Martha de Freitas (b. 1936), Brazilian football player
• Alcindo Martha de Freitas (b. 1945), Brazilian football player
• Mary Martha Sherwood (1775-1851), English authoress, born at Stanford, Worcestershire, the elder daughter and second child of George Butt
• Lucinda Martha Ruh (b. 1979), Swiss national figure skating champion
• Alice Martha Bacon (1909-1993), Baroness Bacon, British Labor Party politician
• Dana Martha Camp (b. 1952), American Democratic Party politician, Delegate to Democratic National Convention from California, 1972 5
• Martha Raye (born Margaret Teresa Yvonne Reed) (1916-1994), American comic actress, standards singer and recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom
• Martha Graham (1894-1991), American dancer, choreographer and recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom
• Martha Hackett (b. 1961), American actress. Known for her portrayal of Seska in thirteen episodes of the television series Star Trek: Voyager