Show ContentsMarchiand History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Marchiand is a name whose history is connected to the ancient Anglo-Saxon tribes of Britain. The name is derived from when the Marchiand family once lived in Marsham in Norfolk, or in the place called Mersham in Kent. 1 The surname Marchiand 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 Marchiand family

The surname Marchiand 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 Marchiand family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Marchiand 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 Marchiand History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Marchiand Spelling Variations

Sound was what guided spelling in the essentially pre-literate Middle Ages, so one person's name was often recorded under several variations during a single lifetime. Also, before the advent of the printing press and the first dictionaries, the English language was not standardized. Therefore, spelling variations were common, even among the names of the most literate people. Known variations of the Marchiand family name include Marsham, Marshan, Marshom, Marshon, Marshman and others.

Early Notables of the Marchiand 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 Marchiand Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Marchiand family

For political, religious, and economic reasons, thousands of English families boarded ships for Ireland, Canada, the America colonies, and many of smaller tropical colonies in the hope of finding better lives abroad. Although the passage on the cramped, dank ships caused many to arrive in the New World diseased and starving, those families that survived the trip often went on to make valuable contributions to those new societies to which they arrived. Early immigrants bearing the Marchiand surname or a spelling variation of the name include: 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.



The Marchiand 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.


  1. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
  2. Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
  3. Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
  4. Mills, A.D., Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-19-869156-4)


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