UK surname
A locational surname derived from a place name in Spain.
In the 1881 census there were 53 people recorded with the Martan surname, ranking it #26,134 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 8, ranked #37,829, down from #26,134 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Cargill, Eccles and Falmouth Town. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Martan is 105 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 84.9%.
1881 census count
53
Ranked #26,134
Modern count
8
2016, ranked #37,829
Peak year
1861
105 bearers
Map years
1
1861 to 1861
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Martan surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Martan 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 | 73 | #20,581 |
| 1861 | historical | 105 | #20,298 |
| 1881 | historical | 53 | #26,134 |
| 1891 | historical | 41 | #31,095 |
| 1901 | historical | 31 | #30,616 |
| 1911 | historical | 6 | #33,255 |
| 1997 | modern | 2 | #38,557 |
| 1999 | modern | 1 | #38,820 |
| 2000 | modern | 2 | #38,472 |
| 2001 | modern | 2 | #38,335 |
| 2002 | modern | 2 | #38,400 |
| 2003 | modern | 2 | #38,424 |
| 2004 | modern | 3 | #38,241 |
| 2005 | modern | 3 | #38,312 |
| 2006 | modern | 7 | #37,634 |
| 2007 | modern | 6 | #37,837 |
| 2008 | modern | 8 | #37,597 |
| 2009 | modern | 5 | #38,122 |
| 2010 | modern | 3 | #38,552 |
| 2011 | modern | 4 | #38,338 |
| 2012 | modern | 8 | #37,740 |
| 2013 | modern | 8 | #37,767 |
| 2014 | modern | 7 | #37,929 |
| 2015 | modern | 7 | #37,920 |
| 2016 | modern | 8 | #37,829 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Cargill, Eccles, Falmouth Town, Wrotham and Tweedmouth. 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 | Cargill | Perth |
| 2 | Eccles | Lancashire |
| 3 | Falmouth Town | Cornwall |
| 4 | Wrotham | Kent |
| 5 | Tweedmouth | Northumberland |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Martan 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 Martan, 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 Martan surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Martan 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, Martan 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 Martan is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Martan, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Martan is believed to have originated in the region of Brittany, France, during the early medieval period. It is thought to be derived from the Breton word "martan," which means "martin" or "small bird." This suggests that the name may have initially been a nickname or occupational name referring to someone who worked with or had a particular affinity for these small birds.
Historically, the name has been associated with the area around the town of Martan, located in the department of Côtes-d'Armor in Brittany. Some early records indicate that the name may have been spelled as "Martayn" or "Martain" in its earlier forms.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname Martan can be found in the 13th-century Breton cartulary, a collection of charters and legal documents from the region. This suggests that the name had already become established as a surname by this time.
In the 14th century, a notable figure bearing the name was Jean Martan, a prominent landowner and nobleman from the town of Martan. Records indicate that he played a significant role in local politics and governance during this period.
Another historical figure with the surname Martan was Yvon Martan, a Breton knight who fought in the Hundred Years' War between England and France in the 15th century. He was known for his bravery and military prowess on the battlefield.
During the 16th century, the Martan family gained prominence in the region, with several members holding positions of authority and influence. One such individual was Gilles Martan, who served as the mayor of the town of Martan from 1564 to 1572.
In the 17th century, a notable figure was Renée Martan, a skilled weaver and textile artisan from the village of Martan. Her intricate tapestries and woven works were highly sought after by nobility and wealthy patrons throughout Brittany.
The surname Martan also has connections to the nearby town of Martayn, which may have been named after an early bearer of the name. This town's name is likely a variation or derivative of the original Breton word "martan."
As the centuries passed, the Martan surname continued to be prevalent in the Brittany region, with various branches of the family establishing themselves in different areas and pursuing diverse occupations and endeavors.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Martan 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. Yorkshire leads with 21 Martans recorded in 1881 and an index of 4.10x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Yorkshire | 21 | 4.10x |
| Lancashire | 6 | 0.98x |
| Gloucestershire | 5 | 4.93x |
| Lincolnshire | 5 | 6.05x |
| Middlesex | 2 | 0.39x |
| Midlothian | 2 | 2.89x |
| Nottinghamshire | 2 | 2.87x |
| Renfrewshire | 2 | 4.99x |
| Angus | 1 | 2.09x |
| Durham | 1 | 0.65x |
| Kent | 1 | 0.57x |
| Kincardineshire | 1 | 15.90x |
| Shropshire | 1 | 2.24x |
| Somerset | 1 | 1.20x |
| Surrey | 1 | 0.40x |
| West Lothian | 1 | 12.85x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Conisbrough in Yorkshire leads with 10 Martans recorded in 1881 and an index of 2083.33x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Conisbrough | 10 | 2083.33x |
| Pendleton In Salford | 6 | 82.08x |
| Thurnscoe | 6 | 15000.00x |
| Bradfield | 5 | 253.81x |
| Sutton St Mary | 5 | 641.03x |
| Westbury On Severn East | 5 | 218.34x |
| Edinburgh St Cuthberts | 2 | 7.18x |
| Mansfield | 2 | 82.99x |
| Paisley Low Church | 2 | 157.48x |
| Bathgate | 1 | 59.17x |
| Frome | 1 | 50.25x |
| Garvock | 1 | 1250.00x |
| Hetton Le Hole | 1 | 51.28x |
| Leintwardine | 1 | 454.55x |
| Liff Benvie | 1 | 13.76x |
| Newington | 1 | 5.24x |
| St Pancras London | 1 | 2.40x |
| Stoke Newington London | 1 | 24.81x |
| Woolwich | 1 | 15.36x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Martan 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 Martan 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 Martan households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| Scholar | 11 |
| Ag Lab | 3 |
| Labourer In Glass Works | 3 |
| (Labourer In Glass Works) | 1 |
| Assistant Schoolmaster | 1 |
| Colliers Son | 1 |
| Colliers Wife | 1 |
| Gen Serv Dom | 1 |
| Iron Miner | 1 |
| Lab Timber Yd (Mercht) | 1 |
| Sawyer | 1 |
| Table Blade Grinder | 1 |
| Teacher Of Music | 1 |
| Traveller | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 53 people were recorded with the Martan surname. That placed it at #26,134 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 8 in 2016. That gives Martan a modern rank of #37,829.
A locational surname derived from a place name in Spain.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Martan 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.