Martin (name)

Last updated

Martin
Mars Pyrrhus cropped.jpg
Statue of Mars, 1st century, found in the Forum of Nerva (Capitoline Museums, Rome)
PronunciationEnglish: /ˈmɑːrtɪn,-tən/
Czech: [ˈmartɪn]
Finnish: [ˈmɑrtin]
French: [maʁtɛ̃]
German: [ˈmaʁtiːn]
Norwegian: [ˈmɑ̀ʈːɪn]
Serbo-Croatian: [mǎrtin]
Spanish: [maɾˈtin]
Swedish: [ˈmǎʈːɪn]
GenderMale
Origin
Word/name Latin
MeaningOf Mars, warlike, warrior or famous counsel
Region of origin Roman Empire
Other names
Related namesMartyn, Martti, Morten, Marten, Märten, Maarten, Martijn, Martino, Mārtiņš, Mark (can also be used as a nickname),Mars, Ma (surname)
Saint Martin of Tours. Sant Marti i el pobre, Miquel March, museu de Belles Arts de Valencia.JPG
Saint Martin of Tours.
Saint Martin of Tours, patron saint of soldiers, leaves the Roman army. St Martin is one of the most familiar and recognizable Roman Catholic saints. Simone Martini 028.jpg
Saint Martin of Tours, patron saint of soldiers, leaves the Roman army. St Martin is one of the most familiar and recognizable Roman Catholic saints.

Martin may either be a given name or surname. In Scotland, Martin or McMartin is a common surname of Scottish Gaelic origin. Martin is, however, more common as a masculine given name in many languages and cultures. It comes from the Latin name Martinus, which is a late derived form of the name of the Roman god Mars, protective godhead of the Latins and, therefore, god of war. [1] The meaning is usually rendered in reference to the god as "of Mars" or "of war/warlike" ("martial"). Alternatively, it may also be derived from the Proto-Germanic elements "mar", meaning famous and "tank", meaning thought, counsel.

Contents

It has remained a popular given name in Christian times, in honor of Saint Martin of Tours. Along with its historic Catholic popularity, it has also been popular among Protestants due to Martin Luther. In addition, African American children are often given the name in honor of Martin Luther King Jr.

Martin, along with a range of variant forms mostly of patronymic origin, borne by families descended from someone with the given name of Martin, are seen throughout Europe, though in some instances the Martin surname in England are instead of toponymic origin, coming from one of numerous places called Merton. Martin is the most common French surname and also frequent in Belgium.

The name Martin in different regions

United States

Martin was the sixteenth most frequently reported surname in the 1990 United States Census, accounting for 0.27% of the population.

Europe

The name is often read as Martin (with `on the i) in most slavic nations. Nicknames for Martin can be Marcin, Marti, Marto, Martine, Maťo, Maťko, Martinko.

Britain

England
Arms of FitzMartin, later simply Martin, feudal barons of Barnstaple in Devon and Lords of Cemais in Wales: Argent, two bars gules FitzMartin Arms.png
Arms of FitzMartin, later simply Martin, feudal barons of Barnstaple in Devon and Lords of Cemais in Wales: Argent, two bars gules

Before the Normans arrived in the 11th century, "Martin" was rare in England. See feudal barony of Barnstaple for the post-Conquest Anglo-Norman family. The surname became common south of the Thames.

Scotland

There are several groups of Martins or Macmartins in Scotland. The MacMartins of Letterfinlay appear to have allied themselves to the Clan Cameron in the late 14th century and finally merged with the Camerons after the Battle of Lochaber in 1429. The MacMartins, who became a sept of Clan Cameron, is said to have been amongst the most loyal and valuable followers of Cameron of Lochiel. In the Jacobite rising of 1745, the MacMartins were "out with" Lochiel's regiment. [2] According to the Oxford Companion to Scottish History, the MacMartins of Letterfinlay who were a sept of the Clan Cameron would have seen themselves as distinct within their own lands, but would have also seen themselves as Camerons if operating elsewhere outside of Lochaber. [3]

There is a branch of MacMartins from Strathclyde. The Martins in Skye are traditionally associated with Clan Donald, and the Lothians were home to a powerful "de St Martin" family from the 12th century.

Wales

An Anglo-Norman knight named Robert Fitz Martin, born in the late 11th century, settled in England's West Country, on lands inherited from a grandfather, and later participated in the invasions of Wales, where he was awarded the barony of Cemaes, located between Fishguard and Cardigan. Robert fitz Martin established the caput of his barony at Nanhyfer or Nevern. Robert's son William Fitz Robert Fitz Martin (born c. 1155) inherited the family's property and re-established family control over Cemaes, which had been lost to the Welsh. The senior line became extinct in 1326, but cadet lines still flourish in Wales and England.

Bulgaria

Martin is a highly common first name in Bulgaria. The name is consistently the third most popular baby name. [4] In surname form Martin becomes Martinov, thought it's not popular. The name is pronounced the same as English, but with the stress on the second syllable.

France

With over 230,000 people holding the surname Martin in France, it is the most common French surname. [5] The origins of its frequency can be attributed to Saint Martin of Tours, who was the most popular French saint, but the reason is not clear. [6]

Martin was never a common given name (Christian name) in the Middle Ages, unlike Bernard or Thomas (which were later officialized and became common surnames, nowadays ranking second and third respectively). Onomastics have tried to find other reasons for Martin's popularity, by examining, for example, the repartition of place names, but this explanation also lacks empirical support. [6]

It can be a late surname connected with children of orphanages, like Alexandre, which was never a common first name in the Middle Ages but now appears quite frequently as a surname. Martin can represent charity towards orphans.

France [7] Belgium (Wallonia, 2008) [8]
1. Martin1. Dubois
2. Bernard 2. Lambert
3. Dubois 3. Martin
4. Thomas 4. Dupont
5. Robert 5. Simon

However, this list hides strong regional differences in France and the increasing number of foreign names among the French citizens. Table based on births between 1966 and 1990: [9]

Basse-NormandieAlsaceBrittany PACA Paris-IdF
1. Marie1. Meyer1. Le Gall1. Martin1. Martin
2. Martin2. Muller2. Thomas2. Garcia (Spanish)2. Da Silva (Port.)
3. Jeanne3. Schmitt3. Le Goff3. Martinez (Spanish)3. Perreira (Port.)
4. Duval4. Schneider4. Le Roux4. Blanc4. Petit
5. Lefèvre5. Klein5. Martin5. Fernandez (Spanish)5. Dos Santos (Port.)
6. Leroy6. Weber6. Simon6. Lopez (Spanish)6. Ferreira (Port.)
7. Hébert7. Fischer7. Tanguy7. Roux7. Rodrigues (Port.)
8. Guérin8. Martin8. Hamon8. Sanchez (Spanish)8. Dubois

Estonia

Martin is a common male name in Estonia – it was the most popular male given name throughout the 1990s. The name currently remains as the second most popular male name in Estonia. [10]

Martin is also a surname – in the variations of Martin, Martinsen, Martinson.

Hungary

Márton, the Hungarian form of the name, is commonly used as both a first name and surname.

Ireland

Surnames in Ireland are attested from the mid-10th century. Several distinct families featured the name as a surname element. They included Mac Giolla Mhártain, Ó Maol Mhartain, Ó Martain, Ó Máirtín, Mac Máirtín, Mac Máel Martain. Individuals included Echmílid mac Máel Martain (Bishop of Down to 1202), Giolla Ernain Ó Martain (Irish poet and Chief Ollam of Ireland, died 1218), and Fearghal Ó Martain, O.E.S.A. (Bishop of Killala from 1425 to 1432).

After the Norman invasion of Ireland in 1169, numerous unrelated bearers of the name settled in Ireland. Among the most well-known of the name were one of the Tribes of Galway.

Italy

In Italy, Martin (pronounced [marˈtiŋ] ) is a rather common surname in Veneto, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, and Piedmont.

Poland

In Poland, the name is written as "Marcin".

Portugal

In Portugal, Martin is written "Martim" or Martinho. One famous Martin from Portuguese history is Martim Moniz.

Scandinavia

Martin is common as a given name in all three Scandinavian countries, and is a typically a top-ranking name in popularity, on any given year. Also it is seen in derivative surnames following Scandinavian naming tradition, such as Martinsen (in Norway and Denmark) and Martinsson (in Sweden). Morten is a Scandinavian version of Martin.

Spain

Martín (pronounced [maɾˈtin] ) is a common given name and is also among the most common surnames in Spain. Its Catalan variant is Martí and in Galician is Martiño. Jewish families in medieval Spain (Sephardic) Jews who remained in Spain and agreed to accept Christianity were asked to change their surnames. One of the names taken up by these Jewish conversos (originally known in Spain as Marranos, but preferred term is 'anusim' which is Hebrew for "forced") was "Martí" (also spelt "Marty"). Sephardic Jews also used Martín or Martínez, as a variation from the Hebrew name Mordecai. [11]

Geographical distribution

As of 2014, 32.6% of all known bearers of the surname Martin were residents of the United States (frequency 1:424), 19.2% of Spain (1:93), 12.0% of France (1:211), 4.7% of England (1:449), 3.5% of Canada (1:401), 2.9% of Germany (1:1,054), 2.3% of Argentina (1:719), 2.2% of the Philippines (1:1,731), 2.2% of Mexico (1:2,179), 2.1% of Tanzania (1:955), 2.0% of Australia (1:453), 1.5% of Cuba (1:303) and 1.3% of South Africa (1:1,617).

In Spain, the frequency of the surname was higher than national average (1:93) in the following autonomous communities:

  1. Castile and León (1:35)
  2. Canary Islands (1:45)
  3. Extremadura (1:56)
  4. Community of Madrid (1:63)
  5. Andalusia (1:74)
  6. Castilla-La Mancha (1:79)

In France, the frequency of the surname was higher than national average (1:211) in the following regions: [12]

  1. Collectivity of Saint Martin (1:37)
  2. Saint Barthélemy (1:143)
  3. Bourgogne-Franche-Comté (1:152)
  4. Centre-Val de Loire (1:168)
  5. Pays de la Loire (1:171)
  6. Nouvelle-Aquitaine (1:183)
  7. Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes (1:184)
  8. Grand Est (1:193)
  9. Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur (1:196)
  10. Normandy (1:200)

Surname

Notable people sharing the surname "Martin" include:

Born before 1700

Born 1700–1799

Born 1800–1899

Born 1900–1949

Born 1950–1999

Born since 2000

Birth year missing, possibly living

Derived surnames

They generally mean "descendant of Martin".

Given/first name

Those people who are known primarily by the name "Martin" are listed below.

Born before 1700

Born 1700–1799

Born 1800–1899

Born 1900–1999

Pseudonyms

Middle name

Fictional characters

* Martin, in the miniseries V (1983 miniseries)

See also

Related Research Articles

Allison is a surname of English and Scottish origin. It was a patronym, in most cases probably indicating son of Allen, but in other cases possibly from Ellis, Alexander, or the female given name Alice/Alise.

Delaney is an Irish surname derived from the Gaelic Ó Dubhshláine, Dubh meaning black and Sláine for the River Sláine (Slaney). DeLaney is also of Norman origin. Variants include Delaney, Delany and Dulaney.

Jamie is a unisex name. Traditionally a masculine name, it can be diminutive form of James or, more rarely, other names and is of Scottish Gaelic origin. It is also given as a name in its own right. Since the mid-20th century it has been used as an occasional feminine name particularly in the United States.

May is a surname of Germanic (Saxon) and, independently, of Gaelic origin. There are many variants used in English-speaking countries, as well as several variants used in Germany. The Scottish May is a sept of Clan Donald. The surname "May" remains a common surname in the United States, England, Scotland, Ireland, Canada, Germany, Australia and New Zealand, as well as among Russians of German origin; possibly also persisting in areas of the Netherlands and France.

Bell is a surname common in English speaking countries with several word-origins.

Allen is a Celtic surname, originating in Ireland, and common in Scotland, Wales and England. It is a variation of the surname MacAllen and may be derived from two separate sources: Ailin, in Irish and Scottish Gaelic, means both "little rock" and "harmony", or it may also be derived from the Celtic Aluinn, which means "handsome". Variant spellings include Alan, Allan, etc. The noble family of this surname, from which a branch went to Portugal, is descended of one Alanus de Buckenhall.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Aaron (given name)</span> Name list

Aaron is an English masculine given name. The 'h' phoneme in the original Hebrew pronunciation "Aharon" (אהרן) is dropped in the Greek, Ἀαρών, from which the English form, Aaron, is derived.

Hanson is an Anglicized English surname of Scandinavian and German origin, created from the two words Hans and son. Spoken in English by a German or Swedish immigrant to America, for example, the sound of Hans' son comes out sounding like Hansson, shortened to Hanson. In this same example, an immigrant from Norway would have a different accent, resulting in the sound of Hans' sen, or Hanssen, shortened to Hansen.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tristan (name)</span> Name list

Tristan, Tristram or Tristen is a given name derived from Welsh drust, influenced by the French word triste and Welsh/Cornish/Breton trist, both of which mean "bold" or "sad", "sorrowful".

Adams is a common surname of English and Scottish origin, derived from the given name Adam. Related surnames include Addams and McAdam/MacAdam.

Wallace is a Scottish surname stemmed from the Anglo-Norman French Waleis "Welshman". It is a northern variant form of Gualeis "Welshman" ; adjectiv gualeis "Welsh" ; same as walois "the oil language".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Anthony</span> Name list

Anthony, also spelled Antony, is a masculine given name derived from the Antonii, a gens to which Mark Antony belonged. According to Plutarch, the Antonii gens were Heracleidae, being descendants of Anton, a son of Heracles. Anthony is an English name that is in use in many countries. It has been among the top 100 most popular male baby names in the United States since the late 19th century and has been among the top 100 male baby names between 1998 and 2018 in many countries including Canada, Australia, England, Ireland and Scotland.

King is an English surname. It is also an Anglicized form of the German surname Küng, which in many German dialects is pronounced like king. This originally German form is widespread among American Mennonites and Amish.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kelly (surname)</span> Surname list

Kelly is a surname of Irish origin. The name is a partially anglicised version of older Irish names and has numerous origins, most notably from the Ui Maine. In some cases it is derived from toponyms located in Ireland and Great Britain; in other cases it is derived from patronyms in the Irish language.

Kevin is the anglicized form of the Irish masculine given name Caoimhín. It is composed of caomh "dear; noble"; Old Irish cóem and -gin.

Harrington is an English habitational name from places in Cumbria, Lincolnshire, and Northamptonshire. It is also a common surname in southwest Ireland, where it was adopted as an Anglicized form of the Gaelic surnames Ó hArrachtáin and Ó hIongardail. Notable people with the surname include:

Alex is a given name. It can refer to a shortened version of Alexander, Alexandra, or Alexis.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fox (surname)</span> Surname list


Fox is a surname originating in England and Ireland. Variants include Foxe and Foxx.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Oliver (given name)</span> Name list

Oliver is a masculine given name of Old French and Medieval British origin. The name has been generally associated with the Latin term olivarius, meaning "olive tree planter", or "olive branch bearer" Olive is a symbol of hope, so this name literally means - ''the one who carries hope''. Other proposed origins include the Germanic names *wulfa- "wolf" and *harja- "army"; the Old Norse Óleifr ; a genuinely West Germanic name, perhaps from ala- "all" and wēra "true" ; the Anglo-Saxon Alfhere; and the Greek name Eleutherios.

This surname has two distinct and separate origins:

References

  1. ↑ Dauzat, Albert (1980). Dictionnaire étymologique des noms de famille et prénoms de France (in French). Paris: Larousse. p. 420. ISBN   2033408043. New completed edition by Marie-Thérèse Morlet.
  2. ↑ Moncreiffe, Iain (1982) [1967]. The Highland Clans. Clarkson N. Potter. pp. 48–51. ISBN   0517546590.
  3. ↑ Lynch, Michael, ed. (2011). Oxford Companion to Scottish History. Oxford University Press. p. 95. ISBN   978-0-19-923482-0.
  4. ↑ "Имената в България през 2022 година (предварителни данни) | Национален статистически институт". www.nsi.bg. Retrieved 9 March 2023.
  5. ↑ "Martin : nom de famille Martin. Nombre et localisation". www.linternaute.com (in French). Retrieved 25 January 2018.
  6. 1 2 Mulon, Marianne (2002). Origine et histoire des noms de famille. Essais d'anthroponymie (in French). Errance. pp. 137–138. ISBN   2877722341. D'où viennent donc tous ces Martin?
  7. ↑ "Noms de famille: les noms de famille les plus portés, l'origine de votre nom de famille" (in French).
  8. ↑ "Noms de famille les plus fréquents en 2008 – Belgique et Régions (Top 100)" (in French). Archived from the original on 26 July 2013. Retrieved 25 January 2018.
  9. ↑ "Les noms de famille les plus portés en France par région". www.geopatronyme.com (in French). Retrieved 25 January 2018.
  10. ↑ "Heal lapsel mitu nime" (in Estonian). 5 May 2016. Retrieved 25 January 2018.
  11. ↑ Weiss-Füglister, Nelly (2002). The Origin of Jewish Family Names. Peter Lang. p. 216. ISBN   978-3-906768-19-9.
  12. ↑ Martin surname distribution
WPanthroponymy.svg
This page or section lists people that share the same given name or the same family name.
If an internal link led you here, you may wish to change that link to point directly to the intended article.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.