Surname Marble - Meaning and Origin
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Discovering My Roots With iGENEA: A Stirring Revelation of My Surname Marble and Our Family History
Connecting with my ancestors through iGENEA's DNA test was an emotionally charged experience. It unearthed my lineage, redefining my perception of family and deepening the significance of my surname, Marble, with a rich historical lineage.
U. Marble
read moreMarble: What does the surname Marble mean?
The last name Marble is an English surname of early medieval origin. Its roots can be traced to an Old English element, marb, which could have meant either "marble" or "hamlet." In the latter sense, the surname is likely to have referred to a place where marbles were found or quarried. The surname Marble is common throughout the English-speaking world, particularly in England, Canada, New Zealand, Australia, and the United States, suggesting that it is an old family name with strong roots in Britain.
The surname Marble is likely to refer to a particular physical attribute or characteristic. One theory suggests that the name may derive from the Latin term marmor, meaning "marble," and may have been given to someone with a complexion characterized by a marble-like hue. Alternatively, it could have been bestowed upon a family of particularly pale-skinned individuals or those with a particularly light-colored complexion. Marble might also have been used to designate a person who was particularly strong and unshakeable, as the phrase "strong as marble" suggests.
The surname could also indicate a particular association with the quarrying and working of stone. Families bearing the name may have been involved in the chiseling and sculpting of marble in generations past. A less likely, but still possible, origin for the surname could have been a reference to someone involved in the game of marbles, either as a participant or a supplier.
The exact origin and meaning of the surname Marble is uncertain. However, the multiple possible explanations for the name all suggest a longtime presence for the surname in Britain and other English-speaking countries.
Order DNA origin analysisMarble: Where does the name Marble come from?
The last name Marble is particularly common in the United States, where it is the 696th most common surname in the country. It is particularly prevalent in New England, with Massachusetts having the highest concentration of Marble households in the entire country.
The Marble family has a long and ancient history, with the earliest Marbles coming from England in the mid-1700s to colonize in the New World. The Marble family was prominent in the early years of colonial America, establishing Marble towns in Massachusetts and New Hampshire. Today, the Marble surname not only remains strong in New England but also in other parts of the country such as New York, Ohio, California and even as far west as Alaska.
Many Marbles are descended from colonial ancestry, but this is not the only origin of the Marble family. Additional Marbles may trace their lineage to Scandinavian, German, Swiss, Italian, Irish, and Scottish backgrounds. In recent decades, the Marbles have become recognize as a family group within the United States and Canada and are members of a number of genealogical organizations, including the Marble Society of America and the Marble Association of North America.
Today, many Marbles may not even recognize their colonial heritage, or ancient Celtic and Gaelic names given to ancestors centuries ago. Nevertheless, it's hard to find a region in the world where the Marble name is not found. It's a testament to the name's enduring legacy of nearly 250 years.
Variations of the surname Marble
The surname Marble has various origins and a wide variety of spellings and variants, some of which include Marbel, Marbelle, Marbell, Marbelle, Marbel, Marball, Marbill, Marbele, Marbble, Marbelen, Marbal, Marbole, Marbelon, Marbule, Marblelle, Marblele, Marbelin, Marbelley, Marbella, Marbela, Marbley, Marbely, Marblell, Marbll, Marbul, and Märbel.
The origin of the Marble surname is often traced back to numerous countries, including England, Scotland, Ireland, Germany, France and Italy. Marble was a popular name in England as far back as the 13th century. It is thought that the name was derived from the Old French word marbre, meaning ‘marble’ or ‘marbled pattern’. In Scotland, ‘Marbel’ was used for the family name in the Middle Ages, indicating those from Marbelle, which is an old English term for ‘boundary by the marbles’.
The German Märbel family originated in Obermarsberg, Germany. It is believed that the name is derived from the Old High German word marbleiz, which refers to someone from Marbel, Germany. In addition, there is speculation that the French origin of the surname is based on old Germanic name Marbod, which is derived from the Old High German word ’mairbot’ meaning ‘the bright one’.
In Italy, the Marbella family traces its roots back to central Italy. They are believed to be descended from the Sassano family who went by the name Marbello. Additionally, Marble is the Anglicized version of the Irish surname Mac Giolla Mearbhaill, which is often translated to ‘son of the devotee of St. Merbhaill’. In some cases, Mac Giolla Mearbhaill was reduced down to two words MacMarbhaill.
Overall, Marble is a complex and interesting surname that has various spellings, variants and origins.
Famous people with the name Marble
- Ryan Marble: professional lacrosse player for the Rochester Razers of the Premier Lacrosse League.
- Bill Marble: former American politician.
- Bob Marble: former American stand-up comic.
- Tom Marble: former professional footballer who formerly played with the Miami Dolphins.
- John Marble: American actor, producer, and director.
- Bonnie Marble: American nutritionist and cookbook author.
- Richard Marble: Former NBA player.
- Steve Marble: television news correspondent and reporter.
- Toby Marble: professional boxer competing in the lightweight division.
- John-Paul Marble: American composer, producer, and sound engineer.
- July Marble: former professional basketball player.
- Walter Marble: American Major League Baseball player in the late 1890s.
- Ryan Marble: professional soccer player for the Los Angeles Galaxy of Major League Soccer.
- Brian Marble: American singer, actor, and model.
- Bobby Marble: Former professional wrestler and manager.
- Laura Marble: American author and motivational speaker.
- Richard Marble: Former U.S. Navy aviator.
- Bart Marble: Former professional wrestler and manager.
- Samuel Marble: former American merchant.
- Brandon Marble: former professional basketball player.