Show ContentsMarvyn History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

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  • England
Marvyn Family Crest Download (JPG) Heritage Series - 600 DPI

Family Crest Download (JPG) Heritage Series - 600 DPI

Etymology of Marvyn

What does the name Marvyn mean?

There are four possible sources for the name Marvyn: (i) Old English Merewine, (ii) Old English Merefinn from the Old Norse Finnr, (iii) Welsh Mervin from Welsh Merlin and (iv) Old English feminine name Merewen. 1

"The Brittany form of this famous name was Merlin. Miss Yonge says Mervyn is still in use in Wales as a font-name. The story of 'Mervyn Clytheroe' has made the name familiar to modern ears. The Yorkshire form of the surname to-day is Murfin or Mirfin, practically the same as Mirfyn in the 14th century." 2

Early Origins of the Marvyn family

The surname Marvyn was first found in Northumberland, c. 1060 where the Saxon Ælfwine Merefinnes was recorded as holding lands at that time. 1 Mervin (without surname), was rector of Chester-le-Street, 1085: History and Antiquities of the County Palatine of Durham. 2

By the time of the Domesday Book in 1086, the name had spread throughout ancient Britain as records show Merefin (Northumberland), Meruin (Surrey), Mervinus (Cambridgeshire). 3 Early London records list Merefin in the Pipe Rolls of 1169.

The Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 included an entry for Matilda Marwyn, Huntingdonshire. 2

Robert Merwyn was found in the Assize Rolls for Lincolnshire in 1298; Gilbert Mervyn in the Subsidy Rolls for Suffolk in 1327; John Murfyn in Yorkshire in 1410; and William Marvin in the Subsidy Rolls for Suffolk in 1524. 1

The Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379 included: Willelmus Mirfyne, smyght; Johannes Myrfyn; and Thomas Mirfyn. 2

The progenitor of the Marvin family in America was Matthew Marvin Sr. (1600-1678), founding settler of Hartford and Norwalk, Connecticut. Born in Great Bentley, Essex, he was "sydeman" of the parish of Great Bentley in 1621, overseer in 1627, and senior warden in 1628. He emigrated to Hartford with his wife and children in 1635 aboard the ship Increase and was one of the first twelve settlers of Hartford. The famous actor Lee Marvin was one of his many descendants.

Early History of the Marvyn family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Marvyn research. Another 173 words (12 lines of text) covering the years 1135, 1194, 1406, 1455, 1487, 1510, 1542, 1562, 1600, 1603, 1619, 1626, 1664, 1678, 1702, 1707, 1710, 1712, 1714, 1717, 1718, 1724, 1727 and 1754 are included under the topic Early Marvyn History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Marvyn Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Marvin, Marven, Marvyn, Marvan and others.

Early Notables of the Marvyn family

Matthew Marvin Sr. (1600-1678), founding settler of Hartford and Norwalk, Connecticut. He served as a deputy of the General Court of the Colony of Connecticut. Matthew Marvin Jr. (1626-1712), his son, was founding settler of both Hartford and Norwalk, Connecticut. He served as a deputy of the General Assembly of...
Another 48 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Marvyn Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Marvyn migration to the United States +



Marvyn Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
  • Marthaw Marvyn, aged 35, from Essex, who arrived in New England in 1635 aboard the ship "Increase", bound for Hartford 4
  • Mathew Marvyn, aged 8, from Essex, who arrived in New England in 1635 aboard the ship "Increase", bound for Hartford 4
  • Sara Marvyn, aged 3,from Essex, who arrived in New England in 1635 aboard the ship "Increase", bound for Hartford 4
  • Miss Marie Marvyn, aged 6, from Essex, who arrived in New England in 1635 aboard the ship "Increase", bound for Hartford 5
  • Miss Hanna Marvyn, aged 6 months, from Essex, who arrived in New England in 1635 aboard the ship "Increase", bound for Hartford 5
  1. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
  2. Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
  3. Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
  4. 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)
  5. Pilgrim Ship's of 1600's Retrieved January 6th 2023, retrieved from https://www.packrat-pro.com/ships/shiplist.htm

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