Marple History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:

England

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Today's generation of the Marple family bears a name that was brought to England by the migration wave that was started by the Norman Conquest of 1066. The Marple family lived in Cheshire, at the manor of Marple which dates back to the 13th century when it was then known as Merpille and literally meant "pool or stream at the boundary," having derived from the Old English "maere" + "pyll." 1

Early Origins of the Marple family

The surname Marple was first found in Cheshire where they held a family seat as Lords of the Manor of Marple, more anciently spelt Merpul. The first record of ownership of the estates was when Randle, Earl of Chester granted the manorial rights to Robert of Stockport. This is most likely the earliest scion of the Marple family name. He sold the estate to Sir George Vernon, known as 'The King of the Peak' Chief of one those rugged east Cheshire families who controlled the forests of Cheshire and Derbyshire. Marple Hall remains, and in the 19th century was the seat of the notable Isherwood family, having previously been the seat of the Bradshaws.

Interestingly, one of the theories of the origin of Agatha Christie's fictional character Miss Marple was that it was taken the name from a family named Marple, who lived at Marple Hall near her sister Madge's home at Abney Hall.

The first records of the Marble variant were found on the Isle of Man where Robert Marbull and Hugh Marble were listed in 1479 and 1531, respectively. 2

Early History of the Marple family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Marple research. Another 50 words (4 lines of text) covering the year 1921 is included under the topic Early Marple History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Marple Spelling Variations

Before English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago, spelling variations of names were a common occurrence. Elements of Latin, Norman French and other languages became incorporated into English throughout the Middle Ages, and name spellings changed even among the literate. The variations of the surname Marple include Marple, Marples, Marble, Marbles, Merple, Merpel, Merpels, Merples, Merbles, Merble and many more.

Early Notables of the Marple family

Outstanding amongst the family at this time was

Marple of Marple Hall, Cheshire

Marple Ranking

In the United States, the name Marple is the 12,573^rd most popular surname with an estimated 2,487 people with that name. 3

Marple migration to the United States +

In England at this time, the uncertainty of the political and religious environment of the time caused many families to board ships for distant British colonies in the hopes of finding land and opportunity, and escaping persecution. The voyages were expensive, crowded, and difficult, though, and many arrived in North America sick, starved, and destitute. Those who did make it, however, were greeted with greater opportunities and freedoms that they could have experienced at home. Many of those families went on to make important contributions to the young nations in which they settled. Early immigration records have shown some of the first Marples to arrive on North American shores:

Marple Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Daniel and Cath Marple and three children settled in Boston Massachusetts in 1820

Marple migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Marple Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century

Mr. David Marple U.E. born in Virginia, USA who settled in St. Stephen, Charlotte County, New Brunswick c. 1784 member of the 74th Regiment 4
Mr. Northrop Marple U.E. born in Virginia, USA who settled in St. Stephen, Charlotte County, New Brunswick c. 1784 member of the 74th Regiment 4
Mr. Richard Marple U.E. who settled in Canada c. 1784 4
Mr. Samuel R. Marple U.E. born in Virginia, USA who settled in St. Stephen, Charlotte County, New Brunswick c. 1784 member of the 74th Regiment 4

Marple 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:

Marple Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Miss Mary Marple, (b. 1860), aged 23, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Westland" arriving in Nelson, North Island, New Zealand in 1883 5

Contemporary Notables of the name Marple (post 1700) +

P. B. Marple (b. 1819), American Democratic Party politician, Delegate to Oregon State Constitutional Convention from Coos County, 1857 6
Mary C. Marple, American Republican politician, Alternate Delegate to Republican National Convention from Massachusetts, 1960 6
George Marple, American Republican politician, Chair of Webster County Republican Party, 1983 6
Essie Marple, American Democratic Party politician, Alternate Delegate to Democratic National Convention from Colorado, 1936 6
Elwood Marple, American Republican politician, Chair of Marshall County Republican Party, 1962-63, 1973 6
Earl W. Marple, American Republican politician, Candidate for West Virginia State House of Delegates from Braxton County, 1958 6
Charles H. Marple, American politician, Member of University of Nebraska Board of Regents, 1892-94 6
C. W. Marple, American Republican politician, Candidate for West Virginia State House of Delegates from Braxton County, 1928 6
Stan Marple (b. 1968), Canadian ice hockey player from Alberta
Carole Frances Marple (b. 1941), former Australian politician, Member for Altona in the Victorian Legislative Assembly (1992-1996)