UK surname
Of French origin, a topographic surname referring to someone who lived near a marsh or swamp.
In the 1881 census there were 16 people recorded with the Marse surname, ranking it #31,301 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 3, ranked #38,594, down from #31,301 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Sampford Brett, Bicknoller, Stogumber, Hendon and Rampisham. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Marse is 124 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 81.3%.
1881 census count
16
Ranked #31,301
Modern count
3
2016, ranked #38,594
Peak year
1861
124 bearers
Map years
1
1861 to 1861
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Marse surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Marse surname density by area, 1861 census.
Timeline
Back to topThe table below tracks recorded surname counts and rank from the 19th-century census years through the modern adult-register period.
| Year | Period | Count | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1851 | historical | 35 | #27,037 |
| 1861 | historical | 124 | #17,797 |
| 1881 | historical | 16 | #31,301 |
| 1891 | historical | 84 | #26,229 |
| 1901 | historical | 13 | #32,633 |
| 1911 | historical | 35 | #29,478 |
| 1997 | modern | 7 | #37,533 |
| 1998 | modern | 8 | #37,334 |
| 1999 | modern | 6 | #37,696 |
| 2000 | modern | 2 | #38,472 |
| 2001 | modern | 2 | #38,335 |
| 2002 | modern | 1 | #38,709 |
| 2003 | modern | 1 | #38,735 |
| 2004 | modern | 2 | #38,464 |
| 2005 | modern | 1 | #38,814 |
| 2006 | modern | 3 | #38,334 |
| 2007 | modern | 3 | #38,372 |
| 2008 | modern | 3 | #38,396 |
| 2009 | modern | 4 | #38,287 |
| 2010 | modern | 4 | #38,371 |
| 2011 | modern | 4 | #38,338 |
| 2012 | modern | 4 | #38,335 |
| 2013 | modern | 3 | #38,526 |
| 2014 | modern | 3 | #38,552 |
| 2015 | modern | 3 | #38,558 |
| 2016 | modern | 3 | #38,594 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Sampford Brett, Bicknoller, Stogumber, Hendon, Rampisham, Llanstadwell and Eccles. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.
The modern local-area list points to No data. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.
| Rank | Parish | Area |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sampford Brett, Bicknoller, Stogumber | Somerset |
| 2 | Hendon | Middlesex (Exclusive Of London Districts) |
| 3 | Rampisham | Dorset |
| 4 | Llanstadwell | Pembrokeshire |
| 5 | Eccles | Lancashire |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Marse surname in historical and recent records.
Recent female names
Recent male names
Modern profile
Back to topModern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Marse, this points to the kinds of places where the surname is most concentrated today.
These neighbourhood labels describe areas, not individual people. They are useful because surnames often cluster through family history, migration, housing patterns and local work. A surname can be strongest in one type of neighbourhood even when people with that name live across the country.
The UK classification gives the national picture. The London classification is more specific to the capital, where housing, age profile, tenure and population mix can look quite different from the rest of the UK.
UK neighbourhood type
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Nationally, the Marse surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Marse household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.
London neighbourhood type
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Within London, Marse is most associated with areas classed as No data, part of No data. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.
Broadband speed
The modern neighbourhood pattern for Marse is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Marse, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname MARSE is of English origin, and it is believed to have emerged during the medieval period, specifically in the 13th or 14th century. This name is derived from an Old English word "merse," which referred to a marshy or boggy area. It is likely that the earliest bearers of this surname resided in or near such a marshy region.
One of the earliest documented instances of the name MARSE can be traced back to the Hundred Rolls of 1273, which were census-like records compiled in medieval England. The Hundred Rolls contain references to individuals with the surname MARSE or similar variations, such as Mers or Mersse.
In the 15th century, historical records show the presence of a family bearing the name MARSE in the county of Lincolnshire, located in the East Midlands region of England. This suggests that the name may have originated or gained prominence in this area.
Over time, variations in spelling emerged, with some notable examples including Marsse, Marshe, and Marsh. These variations often reflected regional dialects or the preferences of individual record keepers.
One notable individual bearing the surname MARSE was John Marse, a landowner and farmer who lived in the village of Kettlethorpe, Lincolnshire, during the late 16th century. Records from this period indicate that he owned substantial tracts of land and contributed to the local community.
Another prominent figure was William Marse, born in 1612 in the town of Grantham, Lincolnshire. He was a respected merchant and trader, known for his involvement in the wool trade between England and the Netherlands.
In the 18th century, the MARSE surname appeared in various parish records and historical documents across England, particularly in the counties of Lincolnshire, Yorkshire, and Norfolk.
A notable bearer of the name during this period was Samuel Marse, born in 1738 in the village of Crowland, Lincolnshire. He was a scholar and educator who served as the headmaster of a local grammar school for several decades.
Another individual of note was Elizabeth Marse, born in 1765 in the city of Norwich, Norfolk. She was a renowned author and poet, known for her works exploring themes of nature and the human experience.
Moving into the 19th century, the MARSE surname continued to be documented in various genealogical records and historical sources across England. Several families bearing this name were involved in various trades and professions, contributing to the development of their local communities.
While the MARSE surname has its roots in England, it has since spread to other parts of the world through migration and diaspora. However, the detailed history and origins of the name remain firmly rooted in the marshlands and villages of medieval and early modern England.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Marse surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.
Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Middlesex leads with 4 Marses recorded in 1881 and an index of 2.56x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Middlesex | 4 | 2.56x |
| Surrey | 4 | 5.26x |
| Gloucestershire | 3 | 9.80x |
| Hampshire | 1 | 3.13x |
| Lanarkshire | 1 | 1.98x |
| Warwickshire | 1 | 2.54x |
| Wiltshire | 1 | 7.25x |
| Worcestershire | 1 | 4.91x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Lambeth in Surrey leads with 4 Marses recorded in 1881 and an index of 29.41x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Lambeth | 4 | 29.41x |
| Hendon | 3 | 535.71x |
| Stroud | 2 | 333.33x |
| Cheltenham | 1 | 42.37x |
| Coventry St Michael | 1 | 79.37x |
| Glasgow | 1 | 11.16x |
| Grays Inn Staple Inn | 1 | 5000.00x |
| Highworth | 1 | 555.56x |
| Kings Norton | 1 | 54.64x |
| Portsea | 1 | 15.95x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Marse surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
These are the male first names most often recorded with the Marse surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
Occupational titles are kept as recorded and later transcribed, so related jobs, spelling variants and mistakes stay separate. Scholar was the census term for a child in education. That means the other rows often tell you more about adult work in Marse households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| Carpenter | 2 |
| Scholar | 2 |
| Artist (Oil Painting) | 1 |
| Book Binder | 1 |
| General Serv | 1 |
| Horse Dealers Wife | 1 |
| Independant Lady | 1 |
| Milliner & Straw Bonnet Maker | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 16 people were recorded with the Marse surname. That placed it at #31,301 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 3 in 2016. That gives Marse a modern rank of #38,594.
Of French origin, a topographic surname referring to someone who lived near a marsh or swamp.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Marse bearers relative to the surrounding population.
The historical counts come from census surname records. The modern counts and neighbourhood summaries come from later surname distribution records. Counts are recorded bearers in those records, not a live estimate of everyone with the name today.