Martin History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

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Etymology of Martin

What does the name Martin mean?

The original Gaelic form of Martin was Mac Giolla Mhartain. This name denotes a devotee of St. Martin. This saint founded the first monastery in France c. 360 and was made Bishop of Tours in 372. He is the patron saint of publicans and inn-keepers and is also a patron saint of France.

Early Origins of the Martin family

The surname Martin was first found in County Galway (Irish: Gaillimh) part of the province of Connacht, located on the west coast of the Island, where they had been granted lands by Strongbow after the Norman invasion of Ireland in 1172, and became one of the "Tribes of Galway." Kilmartin is a small village in Argyll and Bute, in western Scotland. It is best known as the center of Kilmartin Glen, one of the best examples of standing stones in Scotland. Kilmartin Castle, a small tower house, dating from about 1580, stands above the village and was the property of the Campbells.

Early History of the Martin family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Martin research. Another 76 words (5 lines of text) covering the years 1600, 1648, 1652 and 1722 are included under the topic Early Martin History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Martin Spelling Variations

Irish names were rarely spelled consistently in the Middle Ages. Spelling variations of the name Martin dating from that time include Gilmartin, Kilmartin, MacKilmartin, MacGilmartin and many more.

Early Notables of the Martin family

More information is included under the topic Early Martin Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Martin World Ranking

the United States, the name Martin is the 16^th most popular surname with an estimated 678,951 people with that name. 1 However, in Canada, the name Martin is ranked the 4^th most popular surname with an estimated 91,680 people with that name. 2 And in Quebec, Canada, the name Martin is the 34^th popular surname. 3 Newfoundland, Canada ranks Martin as 16^th with 871 people. 4 France ranks Martin as 1^st with 235,846 people. 5 Australia ranks Martin as 12^nd with 60,595 people. 6 New Zealand ranks Martin as 25^th with 5,838 people. 7 The United Kingdom ranks Martin as 20^th with 117,812 people. 8 South America ranks Martin as 26^th with 124 people. 9 South Africa ranks Martin as 267^th with 25,719 people. 10

Martin migration to the United States +

Thousands of Irish families left for North American shores in the 19th century. These people were searching for a life unencumbered with poverty, hunger, and racial discrimination. Many arrived to eventually find such conditions, but many others simply did not arrive: victims of the diseased, overcrowded ships in which they traveled to the New World. Those who lived to see North American shores were instrumental in the development of the growing nations of Canada and the United States. A thorough examination of passenger and immigration lists has disclosed evidence of many early immigrants of the name Martin:

Martin Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

Capt. John Martin, (1560 - 1623), who arrived in Jamestown, Virginia aboard the ship "Discovery" in 1607, 3rd son of Sir Richard Martin.
Mr. George Martin, who arrived in Jamestown, Virginia aboard the ship "Discovery" in 1607 12
Mr. William Martin, who was aboard the ship "Sea Venture" who wrecked in Bermudas in 1609, they managed to build a new ship to continue to Jamestown in 1610. 12
Mr. George Martin, who arrived in Virginia in 1616 aboard the ship "George" 12
Mrs. Mary Martin, (nee Prower), (c. 1580-1621), who arrived in Plymouth, Mass in 1620 aboard the ship "Mayflower"
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Martin Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Adam Martin, who landed in Charles Town, South Carolina in 1782 13

Martin Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Charles Martin, aged 20, who landed in New York, NY in 1803 13
Barbara Martin, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1806 13
Andrew Martin, who arrived in New York, NY in 1811 13
James Martin, who arrived in New York in 1820
August, Edmond and Belfort Saint Martin, who settled in New Orleans in 1820
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Martin Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

Mr. Robert Martin, (b. 1842), aged 58, Cornish farmer, from St Austell, Cornwall, UK travelling aboard the ship "Lucania" arriving at Ellis Island, UK on 13th October 1900 en route to California, USA 14
Mr. Richard Martin, (b. 1903), aged 6 months, Cornish settler travelling aboard the ship "Lucania" arriving at Ellis Island, UK on 4th July 1903 en route to Vulcan, Michigan, USA 14
Mr. William Martin, (b. 1866), aged 37, American miner returning from Cornwall, UK travelling aboard the ship "Etruria" arriving at Ellis Island, UK on 11th July 1903 en route to Grass Valley, California, USA 14
Mr. William James Martin, (b. 1876), aged 27, Cornish mason, from Redruth, Cornwall, UK travelling aboard the ship "Lucania" arriving at Ellis Island, UK on 24th October 1903 en route to Boston, Massachusetts, USA 14
Mr. William Martin, (b. 1892), aged 11, Cornish settler, from Helston, Cornwall, UK travelling aboard the ship "New York" arriving at Ellis Island, UK on 12th September 1903 en route to Vulcan, Michigan, USA 14
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Martin migration to Canada +

Martin Settlers in Canada in the 17th Century

Bernard Martin, who landed in Acadia in 1636
Pierre Martin, who married Catherine Vigneau in 1630 and sailed with her from Touraine to Acadia in 1636
Antoine Martin, son of Jean and Isabelle, who married Denise Sevestre, daughter of Charles and Marie, in Quebec on 18th June 1646 15
Mr. Joachim Martin, French labourer travelling to Canada to work for François Peron, arriving on 11th April 1656 16
Mr. Louis Martin, French labourer travelling to Canada to work for Arnaud Peré arriving on 26th March 1656 16
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Martin Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century

Louis Martin, son of Joachim and Anne, who married Louise Raté, daughter of Jacques and Anne, in Saint-Pierre-de-l'île-d'Orléans, Quebec on 12th January 1700 15
Jean-Baptiste Martin, son of Joachim and Anne, who married Marie Genest, daughter of Jacques and Catherine, in Saint-Pierre-de-l'île-d'Orléans, Quebec on 25th November 1710 15
Jean-François Martin, son of Mathieu-François and Catherine, who married Angélique Chartier, daughter of René-Louis and Marie-Madeleine, in Quebec on 3rd November 1712 15
François Martin, son of François and Catherine, who married Marie-Jeanne Trotier, daughter of Joseph and Jeanne, in Quebec on 14th May 1713 15
Hilaire Martin, son of Pierre and Marie-Madeleine, who married Marguerite Bruneau, daughter of René and Anne, in Quebec on 8th November 1714 15
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Martin Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

Christian Martin, who arrived in Canada in 1831
George Martin, aged 26, a blacksmith, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick aboard the ship "Alchymist" in 1833
Thomas Martin, aged 25, a labourer, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1833 aboard the brig "William" from Cork, Ireland
Johanna Martin, aged 30, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1833 aboard the brig "William" from Cork, Ireland
William Martin, aged 18, a labourer, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick aboard the ship "Billow" in 1833
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Martin Settlers in Canada in the 20th Century

Mr. William Martin, (b. 1884), aged 21, Cornish carpenter, from St Blazey, Cornwall, UK travelling aboard the ship "Caronia" arriving at Ellis Island, UK on 10th April 1905 en route to Greenwood, British Columbia, Canada 14

Martin migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia included the First Fleet, Second Fleet and Third Fleet of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

First Fleet

Mr. John Martin, British settler convicted at Middlesex, England in 1788, sentenced to 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the ship "Neptune, Scarborough or Surprize" leaving in 1789 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1790 11
Mr. John Martin, (1770 - 1812), aged 17, British settler convicted at London, England in 1788, sentenced to 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the ship "Neptune" leaving in 1789 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1790 12
Miss Mary Martin, (1773 - 1847), aged 16, British settler convicted at Middlesex, England in 1789, sentenced to 7 years for shop lifting, transported aboard the ship "Neptune" leaving in 1789 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1790 12
Mr. Charles Martin, (1761 - 1797), aged 28, British settler convicted at Kent, England in 1788, sentenced to 14 years for shop lifting, transported aboard the ship "Neptune" leaving in 1789 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1790 12
Mr. William Martin, (1761 - 1790), aged 28, British settler convicted at London, England in 1787, sentenced to 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the ship "Neptune" leaving in 1789 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1790, may have died on the ship 12

Second Fleet

Mr. Henry Martin, British settler convicted in Essex, England in 1790, sentenced to 14 years for theft, transported aboard the ship "William and Ann" leaving in 1790 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1791 12
Mr. James Martin, British settler convicted in Middlesex, England in 1788, sentenced to 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the ship "Admiral Barrington" leaving in 1790 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1791 12
Mr. John Martin, British settler convicted in Essex, England in 1790, sentenced to 14 years for theft, transported aboard the ship "William and Ann" leaving in 1790 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1791 12
Mr. John Martin, British settler convicted in Lostwithiel, Cornwall in 1789, sentenced to 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the ship "Atlantic" leaving in 1790 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1791 12
Mr. Thomas Martin, British settler convicted in Kent, England in 1788, sentenced to 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the ship "Atlantic" leaving in 1790 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1791 12

Third Fleet

Mr. Stephen Martin, (b. 1748), aged 39, English settler convicted in Bristol, England on 28th April 1783, sentenced for 7 years for theft, transported aboard the ship "Alexander" leaving in 1787 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1788 12
Mr. John Martin, (b. 1757), aged 30, English settler convicted in London on 3rd July 1782, sentenced for 7 years for stealing clothing, transported aboard the ship "Alexander" leaving in 1787 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1788 12
Mr. Abraham Martin, (b. 1744), aged 43, English settler convicted in New Sarum (Salisbury), Wiltshire on 11th March 1786, sentenced for 7 years for theft, transported aboard the ship "Charlotte" leaving on 13th May 1787 arriving in New South Wales, Australia on 22nd January 1788 12
Mr. Thomas Martin, (b. 1764), aged 23, English settler convicted in Exeter, Devon on 24th May 1784, sentenced for 7 years for returning from transport, transported aboard the ship "Charlotte" leaving on 13th May 1787 arriving in New South Wales, Australia on 22nd January 1788 12
Mr. James Martin, (b. 1760), aged 27, English settler convicted in Exeter, Devon on 20th March 1786, sentenced for 7 years for theft, transported aboard the ship "Charlotte" leaving on 13th May 1787 arriving in New South Wales, Australia on 22nd January 1788 12

Following the First, Second and Third Fleets, other convicts and early settlers arriving in Australia include:

Martin Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Mr. William Martin, British Convict who was convicted in Southampton, England for 14 years, transported aboard the "Earl Cornwallis" in August 1800, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 17
Miss. Jane Martin, Irish convict who was convicted in Waterford, Ireland for 7 years, transported aboard the "Atlas" on 29th November 1801, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 18
Mr. Joseph Martin, (Shephard, John), British Convict who was convicted in Middlesex, England for life, transported aboard the "Coromandel" on 4th December 1803, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 19
Mr. James Martin, British settler who was convicted in London, England for 7 years for house breaking, transported aboard the "Fortune And Alexander" on 31st December 1805, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 20
Mr. James Martin, English convict who was convicted in Northampton, Northamptonshire, England for 7 years for burglary, transported aboard the "Duke of Portland" in January 1807, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 21
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Martin Settlers in Australia in the 20th Century

Miss Millicent Martin, (b. 1883), aged 18, Cornish settler travelling aboard the ship "Duke of Devonshire" arriving in Queensland, Australia on 16th January 1901 22

Martin 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:

Martin Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Mr. Martin, Australian settler travelling from Port Phillip Bay, Victoria aboard the ship "Earl Stanhope" arriving in Wellington, New Zealand in 1840 23
Mrs. Martin, Australian settler travelling from Port Phillip Bay, Victoria aboard the ship "Earl Stanhope" arriving in Wellington, New Zealand in 1840 23
Albin Martin, who landed in Auckland, New Zealand in 1840
Mrs Hannah Martin, who landed in Wellington, New Zealand in 1840 aboard the ship Martha Ridgway
Hugh Martin, who landed in Nelson, New Zealand in 1840
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Martin migration to West Indies +

The British first settled the British West Indies around 1604. They made many attempts but failed in some to establish settlements on the Islands including Saint Lucia and Grenada. By 1627 they had managed to establish settlements on St. Kitts (St. Christopher) and Barbados, but by 1641 the Spanish had moved in and destroyed some of these including those at Providence Island. The British continued to expand the settlements including setting the First Federation in the British West Indies by 1674; some of the islands include Barbados, Bermuda, Cayman Island, Turks and Caicos, Jamaica and Belize then known as British Honduras. By the 1960's many of the islands became independent after the West Indies Federation which existed from 1958 to 1962 failed due to internal political conflicts. After this a number of Eastern Caribbean islands formed a free association. 24

Martin Settlers in West Indies in the 17th Century

Mr. John Martin, Cornish settler from St Ives, Cornwall, (b. 1616), aged 18, British settler travelling from Plymouth, England aboard the ship "Margarett" arriving in St Christopher (Saint Kitts) on 1st March 1634 25
Mr. Simon Martin, Cornish settler from St Ives, Cornwall, (b. 1616), aged 18, British settler travelling from Plymouth, England aboard the ship "Margarett" arriving in St Christopher (Saint Kitts) on 1st March 1634 25
Mr. Thomas Martin, Cornish settler from Cardinham, Cornwall, (b. 1610), aged 24, British settler travelling from Plymouth, England aboard the ship "Margarett" arriving in St Christopher (Saint Kitts) on 1st March 1634 25
Mr. Thomas Martin, (b. 1619), aged 16, British settler travelling from London, England aboard the ship "Anne and Elizabeth" arriving in Barbados in 1635 26
Mr. William Martin, (b. 1622), aged 13, British settler travelling from London, England aboard the ship "Alexander" arriving in Barbados in 1635 27
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Martin (post 1700) +

Christopher Anthony John "Chris" Martin (b. 1977), English Grammy Award winner, singer, song writer and record producer better known as Chris Martin, born in Exeter, Devon he co-founded the rock bank Coldplay
Sir George Martin (1926-2016), English six-time Grammy Award winning music producer, best known for his work with the "Beatles,"sometimes referred to as "the Fifth Beatle"; for 37 straight weeks one of Martin's recordings topped the British charts in 1963
Douglas Matthewbaran Martin (1989-2025), American professional football player, running back for seven seasons in the National Football League, played college football for the Boise State Broncos and was selected by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the first round of the 2012 NFL draft
Brian Martin (1962-2025), American professional basketball player, brief career in the NBA
James Kirby Martin (1943-2024), American historian, a Hugh Roy and Lillie Cranz Cullen University Professor of History at the University of Houston, Houston, Texas
Shaun Martin (1978-2024), American four-time Grammy Award winning composer, arranger, record producer, and multi-instrumental musician
Michael David Martin Sr. (1944-2024), American head baseball coach
Maria Emilia Martin (1950-1951), Mexican-American journalist who primarily focused on Latin American and Latino affairs
Gary Martin (1958-2022), American politics reporter, Washington bureau chief who covered the United States Congress for the Las Vegas Review-Journal
... (Another 106 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Historic Events for the Martin family +

Air New Zealand Flight 901

Miss Sarah Jane Martin (1914-1979), New Zealander passenger, from Blockhouse Bay, Auckland, New Zealand aboard the Air New Zealand Flight 901 for an Antarctic sightseeing flight when it flew into Mount Erebus; she died in the crash 28
Mr. Thomas L Martin (1962-1985), American Private from Louisville, Kentucky, USA who died in the Arrow Air Flight 1285 crash 29
Rudolf Martin (1920-2004), German Maschinengefreiter serving aboard the German Battleship Bismarck during World War II when it was sunk heading to France; he survived the sinking 30
Francis Martin, Australian Seamen’s Cook who survived when the ship "Centaur" an Australian hospital ship when torpedoed on 14th May 1943
Mrs. Emma Martin (1861-1914), née Payne Canadian Third Class Passenger from Toronto, Ontario, Canada who was traveling aboard the Empress of Ireland and died in the sinking 31
... (Another 57 entries are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

The Martin 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: Auxilium meum a domino
Motto Translation: My help is from the Lord.

Sources +

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"Surnames Meanings, Origins & Distribution Maps - Forebears." Forebears, https://forebears.io/surnames
"The first 1,000 family names by rank, Quebec (in French only)" Institut de la statistique du Quebec, https://statistique.quebec.ca/en/document/family-names-in-quebec/tableau/the-first-1000-family-names-by-rank-quebec
The order of Common Surnames in 1955 in Newfoundland retrieved on 20th October 2021 (retrieved from Family Names of the Island of Newfoundland by E.R. Seary corrected edition ISBN 0-7735-1782-0)
http://www.journaldesfemmes.com/nom-de-famille/nom/
"Most Common Last Names in Australia." Forebears, https://forebears.io/australia/surnames
"Most Common Last Names in New Zealand." Forebears, https://forebears.io/new-zealand/surnames
"UK surname ranking." UK Surname map, https://www.surnamemap.eu/unitedkingdom/surnames_ranking.php?p=10
"List of most common surnames in South America." Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_most_common_surnames_in_South_America
"Most Common Last Names in South Africa." Forebears, https://forebears.io/south-africa/surnames
Convict Records of Australia. Retrieved 4th February 2021 from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships
Pilgrim Ship's of 1600's Retrieved January 6th 2023, retrieved from https://www.packrat-pro.com/ships/shiplist.htm
Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
Cornwall Online Parish Clerks. (Retrieved 3rd May 2018). Retrieved from http://www.opc-cornwall.org/Resc/pdfs/emigration_ellis_island_1892_on.pdf
Internoscia, Arthur E., and Claire Chevrier. Dictionnaire National des Canadiens Français 1608-1760. Vol. 2, Institut Drouin, 1958.
Debien, Gabriel. Liste Des Engagés Pour Le Canada Au XVIIe Siècle. Vol. 6, Laval University, 1952. (Retreived 24th May 2018). Retrieved from https://lebloguedeguyperron.wordpress.com/2016/06/30/130-liste-des-contrats-dengagement-pour-la-nouvelle-france-releves-a-la-rochelle-entre-1634-et-1679/
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 13th August 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/earl-cornwallis
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 14th July 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/atlas
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Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 24th October 2022). https://convictrecords.com.au
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 28th July 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/duke-of-portland
Cornwall Online Parish Clerks. (Retreived 3rd May 2018). Retrieved from http://www.opc-cornwall.org/Resc/pdfs/emigration_australia_queensland.pdf
New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 17th October 2018). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_West_Indies
Cornish in the Caribbean (retrieved on 23rd September 2021). Retrieved from https://books.google.ca/books?id=gnSFDwAAQBAJ&pg=PA265&lpg=PA265&dq=wallen+lizard+cornwall&source=bl&ots=ARTnm6uRLv&sig=ACfU3U3ewicUaBkTuwC_Gpr0ic-
Pilgrim Ship Lists Early 1600's. Retrieved 23rd September 2021 from https://www.packrat-pro.com/ships/shiplist.htm
Pilgrim Ship Lists Early 1600's retrieved 28th September 2021 from https://www.packrat-pro.com/ships/shiplist.htm
Mount Erebus, Memorial, Roll of Remembrance (Retrieved 2018, February 21st). Retrieved from http://www.erebus.co.nz/memorialandawards/rollofremembrance.aspx
American War Memorials - Flight 1285. (Retrieved 2016, August 24) . Retrieved from http://www.uswarmemorials.org/html/monument_details.php?SiteID=317&MemID=550
Bismarck & Tirpitz Class - Crew List Bismarck. (Retrieved 2018, February 06). Retrieved from https://www.bismarck-class.dk/bismarck/crew/bismarck_crew.html#crew_details
Commemoration Empress of Ireland 2014. (Retrieved 2014, June 17) . Retrieved from http://www.empress2014.ca/seclangen/listepsc1.html