Show ContentsMarsh History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The vast movement of people that followed the Norman Conquest of England of 1066 brought the Marsh family name to the British Isles. They lived on the border between two territories, such as the Marches between England and Wales or on the English Scottish borders. The name may also have emerged as a nickname for someone born in the month of March.

Alternatively, the name could have been derived from the Old English word "mersc" and denoted a "dweller near a marsh." [1] [2]

Early Origins of the Marsh family

The surname Marsh was first found in Somerset where Godard de la Merse was listed in the Pipe Rolls of 1194. Later, Henry del Merse was found in the Curia Regis Rolls of 1212 and William atte Mersche was listed in the Subsidy Rolls for Sussex in 1296. The variant Mash dates back to 1524 when Robert Masshe was listed in the Subsidy Rolls for Suffolk. [1]

The name is "distributed over the greater part of England, but rare or absent north of Nottinghamshire and Lancashire. It has several centres, namely, in Cambridgeshire and Kent in the east, in Lancashire in the north, in Shropshire in the west, and in Wilts, Dorset, and Somerset in the south. Marsh is the name of a parish both in Shropshire and Kent." [3]

There are "parishes in counties Buckingham and Lincoln. The Kentish family appear to have been in that county from the XIV. cent. The Latinization is De Marisco, and the medieval form is Ate-Mershe. The equivalent name Marais is common in France." [4]

The Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 listed Isabel ate Mershe, Oxfordshire and John in le Merse, Oxfordshire. [2]

Early History of the Marsh family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Marsh research. Another 112 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1515, 1555, 1567, 1568, 1626, 1638, 1667, 1673, 1682, 1683, 1691, 1693, 1694, 1703, 1713, 1734 and 1782 are included under the topic Early Marsh History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Marsh Spelling Variations

A multitude of spelling variations characterize Norman surnames. Many variations occurred because Old and Middle English lacked any definite spelling rules. The introduction of Norman French to England also had a pronounced effect, as did the court languages of Latin and French. Therefore, one person was often referred to by several different spellings in a single lifetime. The various spellings include Marsh, Marsch, Marshe and others.

Early Notables of the Marsh family

Outstanding amongst the family at this time was

  • George Marsh (1515-1555), a Protestant martyr born in the parish of Deane near Bolton...
  • The church of Deane in Bolton has a "very old and elaborately carved oak pulpit, hallowed by the preaching of George Marsh, a former vicar, whose apprehension and subsequent martyrdom at Chester in 15...

Marsh World Ranking

In the United States, the name Marsh is the 457th most popular surname with an estimated 62,175 people with that name. [5] However, in Canada, the name Marsh is ranked the 706th most popular surname with an estimated 7,519 people with that name. [6] And in Newfoundland, Canada, the name Marsh is the 290th popular surname with an estimated 155 people with that name. [7] Australia ranks Marsh as 280th with 12,466 people. [8] New Zealand ranks Marsh as 169th with 3,136 people. [9] The United Kingdom ranks Marsh as 171st with 31,905 people. [10]

Ireland Migration of the Marsh family to Ireland

Some of the Marsh family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 53 words (4 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


United States Marsh migration to the United States +

Many English families left England, to avoid the chaos of their homeland and migrated to the many British colonies abroad. Although the conditions on the ships were extremely cramped, and some travelers arrived diseased, starving, and destitute, once in the colonies, many of the families prospered and made valuable contributions to the cultures of what would become the United States and Canada. Research into the origins of individual families in North America has revealed records of the immigration of a number of people bearing the name Marsh or a variant listed above:

Marsh Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
  • John Marsh, who settled in Virginia with Joseph in 1635
  • Mr. Jno Marsh, aged 26, who arrived in Virginia in 1635 aboard the ship "Plain Joan" [11]
  • Mr. Jo Marsh, aged 33, who arrived in Virginia aboard the ship "Primrose" in 1635 [11]
  • Mr. Francis Marsh, (Mursh), aged 28, who arrived in Virginia aboard the ship "Primrose" in 1635 [11]
  • Francis Marsh, who landed in Virginia in 1643 [12]
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Marsh Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • Alphouse Marsh, who landed in Virginia in 1702 [12]
  • Nicho Marsh, who landed in Virginia in 1705 [12]
  • Henry Marsh, who landed in Boston, Massachusetts in 1712 [12]
  • Edward Marsh, who landed in Virginia in 1714 [12]
  • Mary Marsh, who arrived in Virginia in 1714 [12]
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Marsh Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Robert Marsh, aged 65, who arrived in New York in 1812 [12]
  • Stephen Marsh, who arrived in Allegany (Allegheny) County, Pennsylvania in 1848 [12]
  • Oren Marsh, who landed in San Francisco, California in 1850 [12]
  • Owen Marsh, who arrived in San Francisco, California in 1850 [12]
  • Joshua Marsh, who landed in Allegany (Allegheny) County, Pennsylvania in 1854 [12]
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Canada Marsh migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Marsh Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century
  • Mr. John Marsh U.E. who arrived at Port Roseway, [Shelbourne], Nova Scotia on October 26, 1783 was passenger number 286 aboard the ship "HMS Clinton", picked up on September 28, 1783 at Staten Island, New York, USA [13]
  • Mr. John Marsh U.E. who settled in Parr Town, Saint John, New Brunswick c. 1784 [13]
  • Mr. John Lothrop Marsh U.E. who settled in Canada c. 1784 [13]
  • Mr. Joseph Marsh U.E. who settled in Fredericksburgh [Greater Napanee], Ontario c. 1784 [13]
  • Mr. Matthias Marsh U.E., (Mattias, Mathias) (b. 1761) born in Dutchess County, New York, USA who settled in Sidney Township [Quinte West], Hastings County, Ontario c. 1784 listed as serving in the secret service, married twice having 18 children, [13]
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Marsh Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century
  • Samuel Marsh, who landed in Canada in 1831
  • David Oakes Marsh, who arrived in Canada in 1841

Australia Marsh migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Marsh Settlers in Australia in the 18th Century
Marsh Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • Mr. John Marsh, British Convict who was convicted in Gloucester, Gloucestershire, England for life, transported aboard the "Earl Cornwallis" in August 1800, arriving in New South Wales, Australia [15]
  • Mr. Samuel Marsh, British Convict who was convicted in Worcester, Worcestershire, England for life, transported aboard the "Coromandel" on 4th December 1803, arriving in New South Wales, Australia [16]
  • Mr. William Marsh, British convict who was convicted in Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Calcutta" in February 1803, arriving in New South Wales, Australia [17]
  • Mr. James Marsh, (b. 1785), aged 31, English convict who was convicted in Lancaster, Lancashire, England for life, transported aboard the "Atlas" on 16th January 1816, arriving in New South Wales, Australia, he died in 1821 [18]
  • Mr. John Marsh, (b. 1799), aged 19, English brass founder who was convicted in Warwickshire, England for 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the "Baring" in December 1818, arriving in New South Wales, Australia, he died in 1876 [19]
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

New Zealand Marsh migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Marsh Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
  • Julia Ann Marsh, aged 27, who arrived in Nelson, New Zealand aboard the ship "Lloyds" in 1842
  • Jane Marsh, aged 5, who arrived in Nelson, New Zealand aboard the ship "Lloyds" in 1842
  • Elijah Marsh, aged 3, who arrived in Nelson, New Zealand aboard the ship "Lloyds" in 1842
  • Mary Ann Marsh, aged 1, who arrived in Nelson, New Zealand aboard the ship "Lloyds" in 1842
  • Mr. James Marsh, (b. 1812), aged 30, English shoemaker born in Netherbury travelling from Plymouth aboard the ship "Timandra" arriving in New Plymouth, Taranaki, North Island, New Zealand on 24th February 1842 [20]
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

West Indies Marsh migration to West Indies +

The British first settled the British West Indies around 1604. They made many attempts but failed in some to establish settlements on the Islands including Saint Lucia and Grenada. By 1627 they had managed to establish settlements on St. Kitts (St. Christopher) and Barbados, but by 1641 the Spanish had moved in and destroyed some of these including those at Providence Island. The British continued to expand the settlements including setting the First Federation in the British West Indies by 1674; some of the islands include Barbados, Bermuda, Cayman Island, Turks and Caicos, Jamaica and Belize then known as British Honduras. By the 1960's many of the islands became independent after the West Indies Federation which existed from 1958 to 1962 failed due to internal political conflicts. After this a number of Eastern Caribbean islands formed a free association. [21]
Marsh Settlers in West Indies in the 17th Century
  • Mr. William Marsh, (b. 1617), aged 18, British settler traveling aboard the ship "Matthew" arriving in St Christopher (Saint Kitts) in 1635 [22]

Contemporary Notables of the name Marsh (post 1700) +

  • B.J. Marsh (1940-2020), American politician, Member of the Missouri House of Representatives
  • Michele Marie Marsh (1954-2017), American broadcast journalist
  • James "Jim" Marsh (b. 1946), retired American professional NBA basketball player for the Portland Trail Blazers (1971-1972)
  • James Barney Marsh (1856-1936), American engineer and bridge designer, known for reinforced concrete arch bridges
  • James Marsh (1794-1842), American philosopher, Congregational clergyman and president of the University of Vermont from 1826-1833
  • William Wallace Marsh (1835-1918), Canadian-born, American inventor and businessman who co-founded Marsh, Steward & Company
  • Frank Wayne Marsh (b. 1940), former professional American football defensive back who played from 1963 to 1968
  • Frank Marsh (1924-2001), American politician, 29th Lieutenant Governor of Nebraska (1971-1975), Secretary of State of Nebraska (1953-1971)
  • Othniel Charles Marsh (1831-1899), American paleontologist awarded the Bigsby Medal (1877)
  • Frank Lewis Marsh (1899-1992), American Seventh-day Adventist biologist and young Earth creationist author, one of the ten founding members of the Creation Research Society
  • ... (Another 147 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

HMS Cornwall
  • Max Howard Marsh, British Midshipman Paymaster (S) aboard the HMS Cornwall (1942) when she was struck by air bombers and sunk; he was wounded during the sinking [23]
HMS Hood
  • Mr. Robert J A Marsh (b. 1907), English Leading Stoker serving for the Royal Navy from Bermondsey, London, England, who sailed into battle and died in the HMS Hood sinking [24]
  • Mr. Percy G Marsh (b. 1908), English Marine serving for the Royal Marine from Empshott, Petersfield, Hampshire, England, who sailed into battle and died in the HMS Hood sinking [24]
  • Mr. Joseph S Marsh (b. 1921), English Able Seaman serving for the Royal Navy from Leyton, Essex, England, who sailed into battle and died in the HMS Hood sinking [24]
  • Mr. Eric Marsh (b. 1914), English Supply Assistant serving for the Royal Navy from Mossley, Lancashire, England, who sailed into battle and died in the HMS Hood sinking [24]
  • Mr. Eric Marsh (b. 1921), English Leading Seaman serving for the Royal Navy from Droxford, Hampshire, England, who sailed into battle and died in the HMS Hood sinking [24]
HMS Prince of Wales
  • Mr. John Marsh, British Leading Writer, who sailed into battle on the HMS Prince of Wales (1941) and survived the sinking [25]
  • Mr. Frederick J Marsh, British Band Corporal, who sailed into battle on the HMS Prince of Wales (1941) and survived the sinking [25]
  • Mr. Alfred W T Marsh, British Able Seaman, who sailed into battle on the HMS Prince of Wales (1941) and survived the sinking [25]
HMS Repulse
  • Mr. Noel Marsh, British Able Bodied Seaman, who sailed into battle on the HMS Repulse (1941) and survived the sinking [26]
  • Mr. James Willie Marsh, British Leading Writer, who sailed into battle on the HMS Repulse (1941) and died in the sinking [26]
  • Mr. Cecil J Marsh, British Stoker Petty Officer, who sailed into battle on the HMS Repulse (1941) and survived the sinking [26]
HMS Royal Oak
  • W.A. Marsh, British Engine Room Artificer 3rd Class with the Royal Navy aboard the HMS Royal Oak (1939) when she was torpedoed by U-47 and sunk; he survived the sinking [27]
  • Owen Frank Marsh (1907-1939), British Corporal with the Royal Marine aboard the HMS Royal Oak (1939) when she was torpedoed by U-47 and sunk; he died in the sinking [27]
  • James William Marsh (1902-1939), British Marine with the Royal Marine aboard the HMS Royal Oak (1939) when she was torpedoed by U-47 and sunk; he died in the sinking [27]
RMS Lusitania
  • Mrs. Annie Marsh, English 3rd Class passenger returning from Toronto, Ontario, Canada relocating to England, who sailed aboard the RMS Lusitania (1915) and survived the sinking [28]
  • Master Thomas Marsh Jr., English 3rd Class passenger returning from Toronto, Ontario, Canada relocating to England, who sailed aboard the RMS Lusitania (1915) and died in the sinking [28]
  • Mr. Thomas Marsh, English 3rd Class passenger returning from Toronto, Ontario, Canada relocating to England, who sailed aboard the RMS Lusitania (1915) and died in the sinking and was recovered [28]
RMS Titanic
  • Mr. Frederick Charles Marsh (d. 1912), aged 28, English Fireman/Stoker from Southampton, Hampshire who worked aboard the RMS Titanic, died in the sinking and was recovered by CS Mackay-Bennett [29]
SS Newfoundland
  • Mr. Fred Marsh, Newfoundlander from Bonavista, who on the 30th March 1914 he was part of the Seal Crew of the "SS Newfoundland" leaving the ship to intercept the Stephano which took him to the hunting grounds, he disembarked to begin sealing, but was caught in a thickening storm, attempting to return to the Newfoundland he and the 132 crew made camp for two days the sealers were stranded on the ice in a blizzard attempting to return to the ship, he survived
  • Mr. Benjamin Marsh (d. 1914), Newfoundlander from Deer Harbour, who on the 30th March 1914 he was part of the Seal Crew of the "SS Newfoundland" leaving the ship to intercept the Stephano which took him to the hunting grounds, he disembarked to begin sealing, but was caught in a thickening storm, attempting to return to the Newfoundland he and the 132 crew made camp for two days the sealers were stranded on the ice in a blizzard attempting to return to the ship, he died during this time
USS Arizona
  • Mr. Benjamin Raymond Marsh Jr., American Ensign from Michigan, USA working aboard the ship "USS Arizona" when she sunk during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on 7th December 1941, he died in the sinking [30]
  • Mr. William Arthur Marsh, American Seaman First Class working aboard the ship "USS Arizona" when she sunk during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on 7th December 1941, he died in the sinking [30]


Suggested Readings for the name Marsh +

  • The Ancestors and Descendants of F.A. Marsh and Ivy Crites by William R. March.
  • Genealogy of the Family of George Marsh by Elizer Jewett Marsh.

  1. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
  2. Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
  3. Guppy, Henry Brougham, Homes of Family Names in Great Britain. 1890. Print.
  4. Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
  5. "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
  6. "Surnames Meanings, Origins & Distribution Maps - Forebears." Forebears, https://forebears.io/surnames
  7. The order of Common Surnames in 1955 in Newfoundland retrieved on 20th October 2021 (retrieved from Family Names of the Island of Newfoundland by E.R. Seary corrected edition ISBN 0-7735-1782-0)
  8. "Most Common Last Names in Australia." Forebears, https://forebears.io/australia/surnames
  9. "Most Common Last Names in New Zealand." Forebears, https://forebears.io/new-zealand/surnames
  10. "UK surname ranking." UK Surname map, https://www.surnamemap.eu/unitedkingdom/surnames_ranking.php?p=10
  11. Pilgrim Ship's of 1600's Retrieved January 6th 2023, retrieved from https://www.packrat-pro.com/ships/shiplist.htm
  12. 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)
  13. 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
  14. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 29th September 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/barwell
  15. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 13th August 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/earl-cornwallis
  16. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 22nd March 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/coromandel-and-experiment
  17. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 25th November 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/calcutta
  18. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 14th July 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/atlas
  19. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 16th September 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/baring
  20. New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 26th March 2019). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
  21. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_West_Indies
  22. Pilgrim Ship's of 1600's (Retrieved October 4th 2021 from https://www.packrat-pro.com/ships/shiplist.htm
  23. Force Z Survivors Crew List HMS Cornwall (Retrieved 2018, February 13th) - Retrieved from https://www.forcez-survivors.org.uk/biographies/listcornwallcrew.html#A
  24. H.M.S. Hood Association-Battle Cruiser Hood: Crew Information - H.M.S. Hood Rolls of Honour, Men Lost in the Sinking of H.M.S. Hood, 24th May 1941. (Retrieved 2016, July 15) . Retrieved from http://www.hmshood.com/crew/memorial/roh_24may41.htm
  25. HMS Prince of Wales Crew members. (Retrieved 2014, April 9) . Retrieved from http://www.forcez-survivors.org.uk/biographies/listprincecrew.html
  26. HMS Repulse Crew members. (Retrieved 2014, April 9) . Retrieved from http://www.forcez-survivors.org.uk/biographies/listrepulsecrew.html
  27. Ships hit by U-boats crew list HMS Royal Oak (08) - (Retrieved 2018 February, 9th) - retrieved from https://uboat.net/allies/merchants/crews/ship68.html
  28. Lusitania Passenger List - The Lusitania Resource. (Retrieved 2014, March 7) . Retrieved from http://www.rmslusitania.info/lusitania-passenger-list/
  29. Titanic Passenger List - Titanic Facts. (Retrieved 2016, July 13) . Retrieved from http://www.titanicfacts.net/titanic-passenger-list.html
  30. Pearl Harbour: USS Arizona Casualties List Pearl Harbour December 7, 1941. (Retrieved 2018, July 31st). Retrieved from http://pearl-harbor.com/arizona/casualtylist.html


Houseofnames.com on Facebook