Contents [hide]

Martyn History Etymology Early Origins Early History Spelling Variations Early Notables

Ireland United States New Zealand West Indies

Contemporary Notables Related Stories Sources

Martyn History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Germany
Ireland

Etymology of Martyn

What does the name Martyn mean?

Martyn is an ancient name whose history on English soil dates back to the wave of emigration that followed the Norman Conquest of England in 1066. The name comes from the Latin name Martinus, which is a derivative of Mars, who was the Roman god of fertility and war. The popularity of the name Martin is due to Saint Martin de Tours, who was one of the best known saints in the Western World. With the spread of Christianity, people named their children after saints in the hope that the children might enjoy that saint's patronage. Martin is also one of the few saints' names, other than the names of Old English saints, found in England before the Norman Conquest. 1

Early Origins of the Martyn family

The surname Martyn was first found in Pembrokeshire. "Martin, Sire of Tour, four miles from Bayeux, came over with William of Normandy in 1066; and conquered the territory of Kemeys in Pembrokeshire. It was erected into a Paltime Barony, which he governed as Lord Marcher, having his castle at Newport, where its ruins still exist. " 2

"The famous Martin de Tours, who came over from Normandy with the Conqueror was distinguished at the battle of Hastings. Subsequently he acquired by conquest, as one of the Lords Marcher, a large district in Pembrokeshire, called Cemaes or Kemes, and became Palatine Baron thereof, exercising within his territory, subject to feudal homage to the King, all the jura regalia which, at that period, appertained to the crown of the English monarch, He made Newport the head of his Palatinate, and there erected his castle, the ruins of which still exist." 3

Later, some of the family were found in early times at Westmeston in Sussex. "The church is principally in the early English style, with a plain Norman arch between the nave and chancel; it contains a rudely-constructed circular stone font, and at the east end of the south aisle is an ancient chapel, the burial-place of the Marten family." 4

And another branch of the family was found at Anstey-Pastures in Leicestershire in early times. "This place, which was formerly parcel of the 'Ffrith of Leicestre,' and of the ancient duchy of Lancaster, was granted in the 27th of Elizabeth to Thomas Martyn and others, on a lease of 31 years, and after the expiration of that term was purchased, in the 4th of James I., from Robert, Earl of Salisbury, lord treasurer of England, by Robert Martyn, of Anstey, whose descendants have a seat here." 4

Down in the parish of Tamerton, Cornwall, "the manor and barton of Wilsworthy, in this parish, have been in the family of Martyn for many generations. This property now belongs to the Rev. Thomas Waddon Martyn, rector of Luffingcot in Devonshire." 5

In nearby Devon, Raddon was once held by the Martyns and Audleys in the reign of Henry VIII. 6 "Holsworthy, [Devon has a] market which is one of great antiquity ; and the chief fair was recorded in the time of Edward I. as having belonged to the ancestors of William Martyn from time immemorial." 6

Early History of the Martyn family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Martyn research. Another 195 words (14 lines of text) covering the years 1295, 1446, 1484, 1492, 1503, 1582, 1594, 1602, 1617, 1620, 1621, 1640, 1643, 1646, 1648, 1653, 1660, 1662, 1678, 1680, 1692 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Martyn History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Martyn Spelling Variations

Endless spelling variations are a prevailing characteristic of Norman surnames. Old and Middle English lacked any definite spelling rules, and the introduction of Norman French added an unfamiliar ingredient to the English linguistic stew. French and Latin, the languages of the court, also influenced spellings. Finally, Medieval scribes generally spelled words according to how they sounded, so one person was often referred to by different spellings in different documents. The name has been spelled Martin, Matin, Mattin, Martyn and others.

Early Notables of the Martyn family

Outstanding amongst the family at this time was

Sir William Martyn of Athelhampton (c. 1446-1503), Sheriff of London in 1484 and Lord Mayor of London in 1492
Christopher Martyn (c. 1617-1678), an English politician who sat in the House of Commons between 1646 and 1660

Migration of the Martyn family to Ireland

Some of the Martyn family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 81 words (6 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Martyn migration to the United States +

To escape the political and religious persecution within England at the time, many English families left for the various British colonies abroad. The voyage was extremely difficult, though, and the cramped, dank ships caused many to arrive in the New World diseased and starving. But for those who made it, the trip was most often worth it. Many of the families who arrived went on to make valuable contributions to the emerging nations of Canada and the United States. An inquiry into the early roots of North American families reveals a number of immigrants bearing the name Martyn or a variant listed above:

Martyn Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

Joane Martyn, aged 44, who arrived in New England in 1635 from Weymouth, England possible boat is Mary Gould 7
Robert Martyn, aged 44, who arrived in New England in 1635 from Weymouth, England possible boat is Mary Gould 7
Patience Martyn, who arrived in Virginia in 1636 7
Robert Martyn, who landed in Virginia in 1638 7
Eliza Martyn, who landed in Virginia in 1653 7
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Martyn Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Thoms Martyn, who landed in New York in 1709 7

Martyn Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Arend Martyn, aged 9, who arrived in New York, NY in 1850 7
Guimm Martyn, aged 48, who arrived in New York, NY in 1850 7
Gun Martyn, aged 16, who landed in New York, NY in 1850 7
Lisabeth Martyn, aged 7, who arrived in New York, NY in 1850 7
M Martyn, aged 55, who landed in New York, NY in 1850 7
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Martyn Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

Mr. Arthur Martyn, (b. 1881), aged 19, Cornish miner travelling aboard the ship "New York" arriving at Ellis Island, UK on 4th March 1900 en route to Chicago, Illinois, USA 8
Mr. William Martyn, (b. 1880), aged 21, Cornish miner travelling aboard the ship "Majestic" arriving at Ellis Island, New York on 6th June 1901 en route to Park City, Utah, USA 8
Mr. William John Martyn, (b. 1876), aged 27, English miner, from St Stephens, Hertfordshire, UK travelling aboard the ship "Cedric" arriving at Ellis Island, New York on 17th May 1903 en route to Ogden, Utah, USA 8
Ms. Eliza Martyn, (b. 1848), aged 57, Cornish housekeeper, from Gunnislake, Cornwall, UK travelling aboard the ship "Philadelphia" arriving at Ellis Island, UK in 1905 en route to Calumet, Michigan, USA 8
Mr. Thomas Martyn, (b. 1852), aged 53, American miner returning from Cornwall, UK travelling aboard the ship "St Paul" arriving at Ellis Island, UK in 1905 en route to Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvani, USA 8
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Martyn migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Martyn Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Andrew Martyn, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Santipore" in 1848 9
Elizabeth Martyn, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Santipore" in 1848 9
Vivian Martyn, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Santipore" in 1848 9
William Martyn, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Santipore" in 1848 9
James Martyn, aged 25, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "William Money" in 1849 10
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Martyn 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:

Martyn Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Miss Mary Martyn, British settler travelling from Plymouth aboard the ship "Joseph Fletcher" arriving in Auckland, New Zealand on 19th March 1858 11
Mr. Martyn, British settler travelling from Plymouth with family aboard the ship "Joseph Fletcher" arriving in Auckland, New Zealand on 19th March 1858 11
Mr. John Martyn, British settler travelling from Plymouth aboard the ship "Joseph Fletcher" arriving in Auckland, New Zealand on 19th March 1858 11
Mr. W. Martyn, British settler travelling from Plymouth aboard the ship "Joseph Fletcher" arriving in Auckland, New Zealand on 19th March 1858 11
Mrs. Eliza Martyn, (b. 1833), aged 27, Irish settler from County Mayo travelling from Bristol aboard the ship "William Miles" arriving in Lyttelton, Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand on 21st August 1860 12
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Martyn (post 1700) +

Michael "Mick" Martyn (1936-2017), English professional rugby league footballer who played in the 1950s, and 1960s
Beverley Martyn (b. 1947), English singer, songwriter, and guitarist
Thomas "Tommy" Martyn (1946-2016), English professional rugby league footballer
Tommy Martyn (b. 1971), English former professional rugby league footballer
Thomas Martyn (1735-1825), English botanist and Professor of Botany at Cambridge University
Antony Nigel Martyn (b. 1966), former English football goalkeeper
John Martyn (1699-1768), English botanist
Henry Martyn (1781-1812), English missionary
Leslie "Les" John Martyn MBE (1932-2021), Australian sports administrator, President of the Australian Weightlifting Federation, Confederation of Australian Sport and the Australian Commonwealth Games Association
Adrian James Martyn (b. 1975), Irish local historical writer in Galway, Ireland
... (Another 5 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Sources +

Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
Cleveland, Dutchess of The Battle Abbey Roll with some Account of the Norman Lineages. London: John Murray, Abermarle Street, 1889. Print. Volume 2 of 3
Burke, John Bernard, The Roll of Battle Abbey. London: Edward Churton, 26, Holles Street, 1848, Print.
Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
Hutchins, Fortescue, The History of Cornwall, from the Earliest Records and Traditions to the Present Time. London: William Penaluna, 1824. Print
Worth, R.N., A History of Devonshire London: Elliot Stock, 62, Paternoster Row, E.G., 1895. Digital
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
State Records of South Australia. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) SANTIPORE 1848. Retrieved from http://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/BSA/1848Santipore.htm
State Records of South Australia. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) "WILLIAM MONEY" 1848-49. Retrieved from http://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/BSA/1849WmMoney.htm
New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 17th October 2018). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 26th March 2019). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html