Marsden Family Crest, Coat of Arms and Name History

Marsden Origin:

England

Origin of Marsden:

This fascinating surname is believed to be Anglo-Saxon in origin. It is also a regional name, Marsden and related to different regions like Lancashire, and the West Riding of Yorkshire, acquiring from the Olde English before the 7th Century word “mearc” which means border, line or boundary, and “menu,” which means valley. So, the complete meaning of the name is “a valley forming a natural barrier”. The region name is listed as “Merkesden” (1195), in the Pipe Rolls of Lancashire, and as “Marchesden” (1274), in the Wakefield Court Rolls. Previously, the surname was listed in the mid of the 13th century as Johanna de Merrsden (1379), in the Poll Tax Lists of Yorkshire, and as Peter Marsden (1459), in the Kirkstall Abbey Rent Roll. Documentation from Yorkshire Church Registers consists of the wedding of Alice Marsden to Richard Seller in October 1545, in Whalley, and the calling of Alicia, daughter of Joannis Marsden, in January 1559, in Almondbury.

Variations:

More common variations of this surname are: Marseden, Marsiden, Marsdenn, Maarsden, Marstden, Marrsden, Marsdene, Mearsden, Marsdenw, Marasiden.

England:

The name Marsden was firstly organized in Lancashire at Enormous Marsden or Little Marsden. “This area early called Merclesden and Merlesden. Edmund de Lacy got a license for free warren in “Enormous and Little Merlesden;” and in the 4th of Edward II, a trapping occurred here, by donating from Henry de Lacy. Richard Merclesden was experienced forest manager of Blackburnshire to Isabella, widow queen, under the rule of Edward III, and in the same rule, Henry, Duke of Lancaster, donated a portion of land in Merclesden to Richard de Walton.

The very first recording spelling of the family was shown to be that of Alan de Marchesden, which was dated 1246, as assistant in the “Assize Court Rolls of Lancashire”. It was during the time of King Henry III, known as “The Frenchman,” 1216 – 1272.

United States of America:

Individuals with the surname Marsden settled in the United States in three different centuries respectively in the 17th, 18th, and 19th. Some of the people with the name Marsden who settled in the United States in the 17th century included Francis Marsden settled in Virginia in 1635 and William Marsden arrived in Maryland in 1674.

Some of the people with the name Marsden who settled in the Canada in the 18th century included Christopher Marsden settled in Virginia in 1700. Thomas and Mrs. Marsden and children settled in Boston in 1769.

Some of the people with the name Marsden who settled in the United States in the 19th century included Issac Marsden arrived in Allegany (Allegheny) Division, Pennsylvania in 1808. Joshua Marsden at the age of 35, arrived in New York in 1812. Thomas Marsden at the age of 30, arrived in Pennsylvania in 1814. Charles, Denton, Edward, Francis, George, Horatio, James, John, Thomas, and William Marsden all came to Philadelphia between the years 1840 and 1860. Richard Marsden landed in Allegany (Allegheny) Division, Pennsylvania in 1873.

Canada:

Some of the people with the name Marsden who settled in Canada in the 18th century included Mr. Abraham Marsdon U.E., (Marsten) who settled in Canada in 1784.

Australia:

Some of the people with the name Marsden who settled in Australia in the 19th century included S Marsden landed in Sydney, Australia in 1815. Nancy Marsden, an English prisoner from Lancaster, who shifted aboard the “America” in December 1830, arriving in Van Diemen’s Land, Australia. John Marsden aboard the “Andromeda” in November 1832 arrived in New South Wales, Australia. Henry Marsden, an English prisoner from Lancaster, who transported aboard the “Anson” in September 1843, coming in Van Diemen’s Land, Australia. Thomas Marsden aboard the “Anna Maria” in March 1848, arrived in Van Diemen’s Land, Australia.

New Zealand:

Some of the people with the name Marsden who settled in New Zealand in the 19th century included Thomas Marsden landed in Nelson, New Zealand in 1842. Thomas Marsden at the age of 30, arrived in Nelson aboard the ship “Prince of Wales” in 1842. Thomas Marsden at the age of 43, Hannah Marsden at the of 38 and Caroline Marsden at the age of 13 all of these arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship “Celestial Queen” in the same year in 1872.

Here is the population distribution of the last name Marsden: United States 6,092; England 14,385; Australia 3,218; Kenya 314; Canada 1,711; South Africa 1,607; France 343; Scotland 564; New Zealand 933; Wales 643.

Notable People:

Bernie Marsden (born 1951), was an English rock musician.

Betty Marsden (1919–1998), was a British comic artist.

Gerry Marsden (born 1942), was a British singer.

James Marsden (born 1973), was an American artist.

Jason Marsden (born 1975), was an American screen and voice artist.

Kat Marsden (born 2001), was an American singer.

Blazons & Genealogy Notes

1) (Manchester, and Chelmorton, co. Derby; Rev. William Marsden, Vicar of Eccles, co. Lancaster, was of this family; granted 1733). Gu. on a bend ar. three baldcoots sa. beaked and legged of the first, in the sinister chief a unicorn’s head erased of the second. Crest—A unicorn’s head erased ar. guttée de sang, gorged with a ducal coronet az.
2) (William Marsden, Esq., Secretary to the Admiralty temp. George III., and Alexander Marsden, Esq., Under Secretary of Ireland; descended from Marsden, of Manchester and Chelmorton). Same Arms, and, for distinction, a sprig of shamrock ppr. in the unicorn’s mouth, and a key with a sprig of shamrock in the dexter chief of the shield.