Surname Marquardsen - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'M'
Marquardsen: What does the surname Marquardsen mean?
The last name Marquardsen is of German origin and is an old Scandinavian variant of Marquardt. The original meaning of the name is 'mark warden', which was a term used in the Middle Ages for a royal deputy who managed borderlands.
Marquardsen is an uncommon name, primarily found in Germany and Northern Europe, although there are also some people who bear the name in North America and South Africa.
The surname is likely derived from the German word 'Markshere', from Old German words 'marcan', meaning ‘to make boundaries or boundaries to mark’ combined with 'garde', meaning ‘guard’. So, the original meaning could be 'guarding the mark' or 'mark warden'. A similar variant of the name appears as 'Markscherr' or 'Marksfeger'.
The name would have been used as a surname for the original bearer of the name either as a name of profession or as a name of locality. In either case, the bearer of the name would have had ownership of land, and the associated responsibilities of warding the boundary of the land, keeping the peace and justice within the bounds of their domain.
The oldest known family member bearing this name is a man named John Marquardsen, who lived in the year 1378 in Germany. The name reached its peak popularity in the 19th century. Today, it is still predominantly found in northern German states, as well as in North America and South Africa.
Order DNA origin analysisMarquardsen: Where does the name Marquardsen come from?
The last name Marquardsen is most common in Denmark, where it has been in use since at least the 17th century. It is also present in Germany, Norway, and Sweden. The geographic distribution in Denmark is typical for a Danish surname with a high population in the western part of the country - particularly Jutland and the islands - and fewer occurrences further east.
Within Denmark, the Marquardsen surname is most frequent in Copenhagen, the capital, as well as in several other major cities, such as Aarhus and Odense. It can also be found in the more rural areas of Jutland as well.
The name is also common in the United States where many Marquardsens can be found in the states of New York, California, Texas, and Illinois. The number of people with this last name is steadily increasing as more descendants from the 17th century Danish settlers arrive.
Marquardsens can also be found in large numbers in Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. In recent years, the migration of people with this surname has spread even further, from North America and Europe to Latin America as well as to areas in the Middle East.
Overall, the Marquardsen surname can be found in many places around the world, although it is most heavily concentrated in Denmark where it has existed for centuries.
Variations of the surname Marquardsen
The surname Marquardsen has many variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. Some of these are Marquardson, Marquardsson, Marquardtson, Markardtson, Marcardson, Marcardtson, Markardson, Markardtson, Merquardsen, Merkurtson, Markey, and Markeydson.
Marquardsen is an uncommon patronymic surname of Danish and German origins. It is derived from the German male given name Markwart, which is composed of two elements, marc (fame) and hard (hardy, brave, strong). The name was probably given to a brave or strong man, or to one who was held in high esteem.
The surname Marquardsen is most common in the United States, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, and Germany. It is also found in Canada, Australia, and other countries around the world where descendants of Danish and German immigrants settled. In the United States, the surname is most prevalent in South Dakota, Iowa, Nebraska, and Minnesota.
The variants and spellings of Marquardsen are related to the different languages spoken by the Danes and Germans. In Denmark, the name is spelled Markwarth, Marcward, Markwardsen, or Markwardtson. In Germany, the name is spelled Markwart, Marquardson, Marquardson, Markwardt, or even Markeydson.
No matter the variant or spelling, the surname Marquardsen has the same origin—from the male given name Markwart. It is a surname given to people of Danish and German descent, who have paid tribute to their ancestry in their naming convention, and it is one with a long and distinguished history.
Famous people with the name Marquardsen
- Lotte Marquardsen: Danish gymnast who won a bronze medal at the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens.
- Majken Husted Marquardsen: Danish costume designer and art director who has worked on films such as Star Wars: The Force Awakens and Rogue One: A Star Wars Story.
- Henrik Marquardsen: Danish actor known for his roles in Submarino, Wild Witch: Skovens dronning and The White Viking.
- Oliver Marquardsen: Danish actor best known for his roles in TV series such as The Brødrene price and Holdet.
- Michael Marquardsen: Danish football midfielder who currently plays for Farum Boldklub.
- Cedrik-Marcel Stebe: German Tennis player whose mother is Danish and his father is German. His surname is Marquardsen-Stebe.
- Sven Marquardsen: German businessman and entrepreneur who is the CEO of Marquardsen Financial Consult Inc.
- Christian Marquardsen: Danish composer and producer who is the founder and CEO of Marquardsen Music.
- Bettina Marquardsen: German politician and Member of the Bundestag of the Free Democratic Party since 2017.
- Ingolf Marquardsen: German historian and professor emeritus of modern history at the University of Hamburg.