Mershon History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

Of all the Anglo-Saxon names to come from Britain, Mershon is one of the most ancient. The name is a result of the original family having lived in Marsham in Norfolk, or in the place called Mersham in Kent. 1 The surname Mershon belongs to the large category of Anglo-Saxon habitation names, which are derived from pre-existing names for towns, villages, parishes, or farmsteads.

Early Origins of the Mershon family

The surname Mershon was first found in Norfolk at Marsham, a parish, in the union of Aylsham, hundred of South Erpingham. 2 The parish dates back to the Domesday Book of 1086 where it was first listed as Marsam. 3 Literally the place name means "homestead or village by a marsh," from the Old English words "mersc" + "ham." 4 Mersham is a parish, in the union of East Ashford, hundred of Chart and Longbridge, lathe of Shepway. 2 The first record of the name was Leofstan aet Merseham c. 1060 who was listed in the reference Old English Bynames. Benjamin de Merseham was listed in the Feet of Fines of Kent in 1236 and John de Marsham was listed in the Coroner Rolls of London in 1336. 1 Some of the family were found at Stratton-Strawless in Norfolk since very early times. "The Hall, a large mansion of white brick, in a well-wooded park, is the seat of R. Marsham, Esq., in whose family it has remained since the time of Edward the First." 2

Early History of the Mershon family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Mershon research. Another 124 words (9 lines of text) covering the years 1130, 1280, 1510, 1518, 1602, 1637, 1650, 1679, 1685, 1692, 1696, 1698, 1702, 1703, 1708, 1716 and 1724 are included under the topic Early Mershon History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Mershon Spelling Variations

The first dictionaries that appeared in the last few hundred years did much to standardize the English language. Before that time, spelling variations in names were a common occurrence. The language was changing, incorporating pieces of other languages, and the spelling of names changed with it. Mershon has been spelled many different ways, including Marsham, Marshan, Marshom, Marshon, Marshman and others.

Early Notables of the Mershon family

Distinguished members of the family include Sir John Marsham, 1st Baronet of Cuckston (1602-1685), an English antiquary known as a writer on chronology; Sir John Marsham, 2nd Baronet (1637-1692); Sir John Marsham, 3rd Baronet (1679-1696); Sir Robert Marsham...
Another 38 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Mershon Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Mershon Ranking

In the United States, the name Mershon is the 16,822^nd most popular surname with an estimated 2,487 people with that name. 5

Migration of the Mershon family

Thousands of English families in this era began to emigrate the New World in search of land and freedom from religious and political persecution. Although the passage was expensive and the ships were dark, crowded, and unsafe, those who made the voyage safely were rewarded with opportunities unavailable to them in their homeland. Research into passenger and immigration lists has revealed some of the very first Mershons to arrive in North America: Thomas Marsham, who settled in Virginia in 1654; Charles Marshom, who settled in Boston in 1768; James Marshman, a British convict, sent to Maryland in 1772.

Contemporary Notables of the name Mershon (post 1700) +

William B. Mershon, American Democratic Party politician, Mayor of Saginaw, Michigan, 1895-96; Member of Michigan National Democratic State Central Committee, 1899
John D. Mershon, American Democratic Party politician, Delegate to Democratic National Convention from Michigan, 1924 (member, Credentials Committee)
Frank Mershon, American politician, Prohibition Candidate for New York State Assembly from Kings County 20th District, 1919; Prohibition Candidate for U.S. Representative from New York 9th District, 1920, 1922
Evelyn S. Mershon, American Democratic Party politician, Delegate to Democratic National Convention from Michigan, 1924, 1932, 1936; Member of Democratic National Committee from Michigan, 1929; Candidate for Michigan State Senate 22nd District, 1930
William Mershon Lanning (1849-1912), American Republican Party politician, Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from New Jersey (1903-1904)

The Mershon Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Non sibi sed patriae
Motto Translation: Not for himself, but for his country.

Citations +

Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
Mills, A.D., Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-19-869156-4)
"What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/