Marcel History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
France

Early Origins of the Marcel family

The surname Marcel was first found in Dauphiny (French: Dauphiné or Dauphiné Viennois), a former province in southeastern France, where the family emerged as a noble family from ancient times.

The first member recorded under this name was S. Marcel, who was a martyr in Châlons-sur-Saône in 179. Saint Marcel, who became Bishop of Paris, died in about 440. From then on, no known records over the next eleven centuries, the family grew, prospered and branched extensively throughout France. Within the family were members who were recognized and honored for their excellent service to the country.

Étienne Marcel, who was assassinated in 1358 trying to deliver Paris to the King of Navarre and who was called one of the most remarkable politicians of the Middle Age; Guillaume Marcel (1647-1708), was a noted scholar. Guillaume's grandnephew, Jean-Joseph, was an Orientalist, who became a member of the Institute of Egypt, then Director of the Imperial Printing Press. The family branched to Maurepas, and St. Andeol in Dauphiné.

François Marceau, born in 1641, son of André and Marie (née Guignand), travelled from Poitou, France to Canada in the 17th century. After arriving in Quebec he married Marie-Louise Bolper, born in 1651, daughter of Gilles and Nicole (née Le Chef), at Sainte-Famille on 12th October 1671. The remained together in Quebec until François passed away around 1687. 1

Early History of the Marcel family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Marcel research. The years 1358, 1647 and 1708 are included under the topic Early Marcel History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Marcel Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Marcel, Marcele, Marcell, Marcelle, Marcels, Marceles, Marcells, Marcelles, Marrcel, Marrcele, Marrcell, Marrcelle, Marrcels, Marrceles, Marrcells, Marrcelles, de Marcel, du Marcel and many more.

Early Notables of the Marcel family

Notable amongst the family at this time was

Étienne Marcel (died 1358), provost of merchants of Paris, Guillaume Marcel (1647-1708), politician

Marcel Ranking

In France, the name Marcel is the 582^nd most popular surname with an estimated 7,993 people with that name. 2

Marcel migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Marcel Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Mr. Marcel, who settled in Philadelphia with his three children in 1805
F Marcel, who landed in San Francisco, California in 1851 3
Julius Marcel, who arrived in San Francisco, California in 1851 3

Marcel Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

Alice Marcel, aged 26, who immigrated to the United States from Paris, France, in 1919
Delpy Marcel, aged 19, who landed in America from France, in 1920
Edmond Marcel, aged 43, who immigrated to the United States from Paris, France, in 1922
Bilbert Marcel, aged 33, who landed in America, in 1924
Clavien Marcel, aged 26, who immigrated to America, in 1924

Contemporary Notables of the name Marcel (post 1700) +

Jean-Jacques Marcel (b. 1931), French footballer
Gabriel Marcel (1889-1973), French philosopher, Christian existentialist, and playwright
Kelly Marcel (b. 1974), British writer and actress, best known as the writer and executive producer of the television series Terra Nova
Terry Marcel (b. 1942), British film director, best known for the film Hawk the Slayer (1980)
Rosie Marcel (b. 1977), English actress, best known for her role in the BBC drama series, Holby City
Sylvain Marcel (b. 1974), Canadian actor
Severyn Marcel Sternhell AO (1930-2022), Polish-born, Australian academic and organic chemist, Professor of Chemistry at the University of Sydney and a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Science
Étienne Marcel Bally (1923-2018), French gold, two-time silver medalist sprinter at the 1950 European Championships
André Marcel Lévêque (1896-1930), French engineer from Beauvais, France, best known for his work on heat transfer
Roger Marcel Cicero Ciceu (1970-2016), German jazz and pop musician

Citations +

Olivier, Reginald L. Your Ancient Canadian Family Ties. Logan: The Everton Publishers, Inc., P.O. Box 368, 1972. Print
http://www.journaldesfemmes.com/nom-de-famille/nom/
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)