Surname Marbury - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'M'
Marbury: What does the surname Marbury mean?
The surname Marbury is of English origin, deriving from a place name in Cheshire, England. It is a compound of two Old English words - "mere", meaning a lake or pool, and "burh" standing for a fortified place or a manor. So, Marbury can be said to mean 'fortress by the lake' or 'manor by the lake'. Like many other English surnames, it was adopted as a means of identification by people who migrated from their birthplace, thus carrying the name of their hometown. Notable people with the surname include Anne Marbury Hutchinson, an early American colonist and important figure in the history of religious freedom in America, and Edward Marbury, a prominent English botanist.
Order DNA origin analysisMarbury: Where does the name Marbury come from?
The surname Marbury is of English origin and is believed to have derived from a place name in Cheshire, England known as Marbury or Marburie. The name is thought to mean 'fortified settlement (or borough) by a lake (or marsh)' based on Old English elements like "mere" (lake, marsh) and "burh" (fortified settlement, borough).
In early U.S. history, Anne Hutchinson, maiden name "Anne Marbury," gained recognition as a prominent Puritan spiritual adviser which in turn helped to increase the distribution of the last name in America.
Currently, the surname Marbury is not extremely common. According to Forebears, it is most prevalent in the United States, ranking highest in the states of Georgia, Alabama, and New York. Apart from the United States, it can also be found in England, Australia, and Canada, though in smaller frequencies. Overall, Marbury remains a relatively rare surname. Famous people with the surname Marbury include former NBA player Stephon Marbury and English mid-17th-century playwright Richard Marbury.
Variations of the surname Marbury
The surname Marbury is of English origin, deriving from a place called Marbury in Cheshire, England. Variants of the surname Marbury might include Marbery, Marbry, Marbery, Marbra, Marrbury, Marburie, Marburry etc. Given the nature of phonetic spelling prior to standardized spelling norms, there are many possible variations.
In addition, the surname might evolve or change entirely due to anglicization or naturalization processes as families migrated. For instance, Marbury may become Marberry or Marburry. Similarly, it could adopt a more continental spelling like Marboury or Marboure.
However, variations depend largely on the historical, social and cultural contexts of specific regions and periods. The exact spelling variants can also be influenced by the language spoken by the recorder of the name, the dialect of the bearer, and even the literacy level of the person who first wrote it down.
Thus, tracing the surname Marbury to its possible variants and related surnames is complex, variable and falls within the larger field of onomastic research. It involves not only linguistic analysis, but also genealogy and historical study.
Famous people with the name Marbury
- Stephon Marbury: Former NBA player who was a two-time NBA All-Star, and is currently a coach and official for the Chinese Basketball Association.
- William Marbury: A Baltimore lawyer and land salesman involved in the landmark Supreme Court case, Marbury vs. Madison.
- Christopher Marbury: A former offensive guard in the NFL who won Super Bowl XXVI with the Washington Redskins.
- George Marbury: A retired U.S. Navy admiral, who was the first African-American to reach the rank of four-star admiral.
- Thomas Marbury: a former Member of Parliament in the United Kingdom for Newport.
- Laura Marbury: American actress known for her role on the television show “3rd Rock from the Sun.”
- Henry Marbury: British physician who developed the Marbury tracheostomy catheter.
- Lucy Marbury: British film producer, known for her work on the Donmar Warehouse’s production of “The Crucible.”
- Emma Marbury: British sculptor and painter, best known for contemporary works in metal.
- Betsy Marbury: British ballerina active between the 1930s and 1950s.