Origins Available: English,
German
The vast movement of people that followed the
Norman Conquest of
England in 1066 brought the Martend family name to the British Isles. Martend comes from the Latin name
Martinus, which is a derivative of Mars, who was the Roman god of fertility and war. The popularity of the name Martin is due to Saint Martin de Tours, who was one of the best known saints in the Western World. With the spread of Christianity, people named their children after saints in the hope that the children might enjoy that saint's patronage. Martin is also one of the few saints' names, other than the names of Old English saints, found in
England before the Norman Conquest.
Early Origins of the Martend family
The surname Martend was first found in
Leicestershire. However, some of the family were found in early times at Westmeston in
Sussex. "The church is principally in the early English style, with a plain Norman arch between the nave and chancel; it contains a rudely-constructed circular stone font, and at the east end of the south aisle is an ancient chapel, the burial-place of the Marten family."
[1]CITATION[CLOSE]
Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print. And another branch of the family was found at Anstey-Pastures in
Leicestershire in early times. "This place, which was formerly parcel of the 'Ffrith of Leicestre,' and of the ancient duchy of Lancaster, was granted in the 27th of Elizabeth to Thomas Martyn and others, on a lease of 31 years, and after the expiration of that term was purchased, in the 4th of James I., from Robert, Earl of Salisbury, lord treasurer of
England, by Robert Martyn, of Anstey, whose descendants have a seat here."
[1]CITATION[CLOSE]
Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
Early History of the Martend family
This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Martend research.
Another 389 words (28 lines of text) covering the years 1295, 1446, 1503, 1484, 1492, 1594, 1648, 1643, 1582, 1620, 1617, 1678, 1646, 1660, 1602, 1680, 1640, 1653, 1662, 1621, 1692 and are included under the topic Early Martend History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Martend Spelling Variations
Endless
spelling variations are a prevailing characteristic of Norman surnames. Old and Middle English lacked any definite spelling rules, and the introduction of Norman French added an unfamiliar ingredient to the English linguistic stew. French and Latin, the languages of the court, also influenced spellings. Finally, Medieval scribes generally spelled words according to how they sounded, so one person was often referred to by different spellings in different documents. The name has been spelled Martin, Matin, Mattin, Martyn and others.
Early Notables of the Martend family (pre 1700)
Outstanding amongst the family at this time was Sir William Martyn of Athelhampton
(c. 1446-1503), Sheriff of London in 1484 and Lord Mayor of London in 1492; Sir Richard Martin, Lord Mayor of London in 1594; Robert Martin, Esquire, who was made the Sheriff of the County of Radnour in 1648...
Another 132 words (9 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Martend Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Migration of the Martend family to Ireland
Some of the Martend family moved to
Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 149 words (11 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Migration of the Martend family to the New World and Oceana
To escape the political and religious persecution within
England at the time, many English families left for the various British colonies abroad. The voyage was extremely difficult, though, and the cramped, dank ships caused many to arrive in the New World diseased and starving. But for those who made it, the trip was most often worth it. Many of the families who arrived went on to make valuable contributions to the emerging nations of Canada and the United States. An inquiry into the early roots of North American families reveals a number of immigrants bearing the name Martend or a variant listed above: John Martin, who came to Virginia in 1606; Christopher Martin and his wife, who arrived in America on the Mayflower in 1620; Joe Martin, who settled in Providence, Rhode Island in 1635.