Marsdan History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

In ancient Anglo-Saxon England, the ancestors of the Marsdan surname lived in the settlements named Marsden in Lancashire and the West Riding of Yorkshire. The surname Marsdan 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 Marsdan family

The surname Marsdan was first found in Lancashire at Great Marsden or Little Marsden. "This place was anciently called Merclesden, and Merlesden. In the 35th of Henry III., Edmund de Lacy obtained a charter for free warren in "Great and Little Merlesden;" and in the 4th of Edward II., a fishery existed here, by grant from Henry de Lacy. Richard Merclesden was master forester of Blackburnshire to Isabella, dowager queen, in the reign of Edward III.; and in the same reign, Henry, Duke of Lancaster, granted a tract of land in Merclesden to Richard de Walton. " 1 Another reference lists the place name as Marchesden in the 12th century and probably meant "boundary water." 2 However, we believe that the former origin of the place name and surname is more likely. One of the earliest records of the name was Alan de Marchesden who was listed in the Assize Rolls of Lancashire in 1246. 3 The Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1273 listed Robert de Marcheden, Nicholaus Mercheden and Johanna de Mersseden. 4

Early History of the Marsdan family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Marsdan research. Another 79 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1625, 1680, 1681, 1688 and 1738 are included under the topic Early Marsdan History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Marsdan Spelling Variations

It is only in the last few hundred years that the English language has been standardized. For that reason, early Anglo-Saxon surnames like Marsdan are characterized by many spelling variations. As the English language changed and incorporated elements of other European languages, even literate people changed the spelling of their names. The variations of the name Marsdan include: Marsden, Marsdon and others.

Early Notables of the Marsdan family

Another 30 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Marsdan Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Marsdan family

Many English families tired of political and religious strife left Britain for the new colonies in North America. Although the trip itself offered no relief - conditions on the ships were extremely cramped, and many travelers arrived diseased, starving, and destitute - these immigrants believed the opportunities that awaited them were worth the risks. Once in the colonies, many of the families did indeed prosper and, in turn, made significant contributions to the culture and economies of the growing colonies. An inquiry into the early roots of North American families has revealed a number of immigrants bearing the name Marsdan or a variant listed above: Francis Marsden settled in Virginia in 1635; Christopher Marsden settled in Virginia in 1700; Charles, Denton, Edward, Francis, George, Horatio, James, John, Thomas and William Marsden all arrived in Philadelphia between 1840 and 1860..

The Marsdan 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: Mars denique victor es
Motto Translation: Mars, though art the conqueror.

Citations +

Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
Mills, A.D., Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-19-869156-4)
Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)