Show ContentsMarsland History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Early Origins of the Marsland family

The surname Marsland was first found in the ancient ecclesiastic parish of Rochdale of early-medieval origin in northern England, at Marland, an estate in the township of Castleton. "Marland, or Mereland (from its water), in this township (Castleton), is of high antiquity. Alan de Merland, Adam de Merland, and Andrew de Merland were living in the 13th century. A branch of the family of Marland continued to reside and hold lands at Marland from the earliest period until the latter part of the 17th century." 1

The Wills at Chester have three later entries for the family: James Marland, of Rochdale, 1584; Alice Marland, of Bradley; and John Marland, of Hartshead, Ashton-under-Lyne, 1610.

Alternatively, the name could have originated "from Marland (land on a lake) in Devonshire; dweller on the land by the lake." 2 3

The variant Martley claims their origin from Martley, a village and civil parish in the Malvern Hills district of the of Worcestershire.

Early History of the Marsland family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Marsland research. Another 86 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1455, 1487, 1659, 1693 and 1776 are included under the topic Early Marsland History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Marsland Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Marland, Markland, Merkland, Merland, Mearland, Marlane, Merlane, Mearlane, Marland and many more.

Early Notables of the Marsland family

Distinguished members of the family include Jeremiah Markland (1693-1776), an English classical scholar, born in Childwall in Lancashire. He was the private tutor to the son of W. Strode of Punsbourn, Hertfordshire.Robert Markland was an English politician who sat in the House...
Another 41 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Marsland Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


Australia Marsland migration to Australia +

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

Marsland Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • Mr. William Marsland, British Convict who was convicted in Lancaster, Lancashire, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Coromandel" on 25th June 1838, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 4
  • James Marsland, aged 35, who arrived in South Australia in 1852 aboard the ship "Surge" 5

Contemporary Notables of the name Marsland (post 1700) +

  • Samuel Marsland (b. 1962), American professional baseball player
  • Adam Marsland, American singer, songwriter, producer, and multi-instrumentalist
  • Air Commodore Robert Marsland (1880-1920), British Royal Navy officer
  • Richard Kemble Marsland (1976-2008), Australian comedy writer, actor, comedian and radio personality


  1. Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
  2. Smith, Eldson Coles, New Dictionary of American Family Names New York: Harper & Row, 1956. Print
  3. Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
  4. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 19th March 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/coromandel
  5. South Australian Register Tuesday 3 February 1852. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) SURGE 1852. Retrieved http://www.theshipslist.com/ships/australia/surge1852.shtml


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