Recorded in over fifty spelling surname forms ranging from Marie and Maria to diminutives such as Marielle, Mariete, Maryon, and Marusik, and to metronymics Marians, Mariyushkin and Manyurin, this is a name of both uncertain origin and uncertain meaning. In most cases the name probably derived from the Hebrew 'Maryam', as its main popularity followed the famous Crusades of the 11th and 12th centuries to free the Holy Land from the Muslims. The returning knights and warriors often gave their children names associated with the bible, in commemoration of their 'visit', even though all the expeditions were ultimately unsuccessful.
The meaning of Maryam is uncertain, but may have been 'wished for', as in a child. There is also a possibility that the name in some cases at least, is of Roman origin and a form of 'Marius', the meaning of which is also uncertain, but may have a relationship to Mars, the god of war. This gives the name at least two of the most contradictory meanings it is possible to get! Whilst the Roman Catholic church never had any doubt about the truth of Mary being the mother of Jesus, other Christians were less certain, and this was reflected in the spread of the surname. It is quite rare in Protestant countries, reflecting a period around the time of the surname creation, roughly the 12th to the 15th centuries, when the baptismal name was unpopular in some countries. Also being a metronymic, which is to say that the name descended from the mother not the father, has naturally, if unfairly perhaps, reduced the popularity. The first known recording of the name in any spelling anywhere in the world is believed to be that of William Marysone, who in the year 1298 was recorded in the Court Rolls of the city of London, England.
The origin, the coat of arms or the different heraldic shields, and the bibliography in which the surname marien is mentioned are part of this exciting investigation. Adhering to what we know about the way surnames originated, it is possible to offer a realistic explanation of the origins of marien.
The list of countries with a higher presence of people with the surname marien provides us with a perspective on the history of the surname, beyond its origins, focusing on its migrations.
For those like you, who are interested in the history hidden behind the surname marien, it is essential to find all kinds of information, both direct and tangential, that helps to construct a solid narrative of how the birth and expansion of marien developed. In the following lines, you will find everything we have been able to gather about the surname marien.
We keep our website updated through our own research and also thanks to contributions from people like you, after verification; so if you have information about marien and send it to us, we will update it on this website.
Sadly, not all the contributions of those who bore the surname marien were recorded by the chroniclers of the time. If you or someone you know bears the surname marien, you could potentially build illustrious lineages through your efforts and virtues.
The origin, history, coat of arms or different coats of arms, and the heraldry of marien are recorded in a wide variety of sources and documents that are essential to know for better compilation. Accessing the archives of the town or towns where your ancestors were born and lived is, of course, a good way to trace the origins of marien.
These sources are essential for initiating the understanding of marien, and at the same time, of surnames in general.