The name Markus originates from the Latin name Marcus, which was derived from the Roman name Mars, the name of the ancient Roman god of war. The name Marcus is believed to have emerged in the 3rd century BC.

In ancient Rome, Marcus was a common name given to male children born into wealthy and influential Roman families. It was a prestigious name associated with strength, valor, and masculinity, traits embodied by the god Mars.

One of the earliest known bearers of the name Marcus was Marcus Tullius Cicero, the Roman statesman, philosopher, and orator who lived from 106 BC to 43 BC. Cicero's full name, Marcus Tullius Cicero, highlights the common practice of combining the given name Marcus with a family name or surname.

The name Marcus appears in several historical texts and religious scriptures, including the New Testament of the Bible. Marcus, or Mark, was one of the four Evangelists who wrote the Gospel of Mark, documenting the life and teachings of Jesus Christ.

Throughout history, various notable figures have borne the name Markus or its variants. One such figure was Marcus Aurelius, the Roman emperor who ruled from 161 to 180 AD and was renowned for his philosophical writings and leadership during a time of turmoil in the Roman Empire.

Another famous bearer of the name was Marcus Vipsanius Agrippa, a Roman statesman and military general who lived from 63 BC to 12 BC. He played a crucial role in the establishment of the Roman Empire and was a close friend and ally of the first Roman emperor, Augustus.

In the Middle Ages, the name Markus was popular among Germanic and Scandinavian populations, where it was spelled as Markus or Marcus. One notable figure from this period was Markus the Hermit, a 4th-century Christian monk who lived as a hermit in the Egyptian desert and was known for his ascetic lifestyle and spiritual teachings.

The Renaissance period saw the emergence of several individuals with the name Markus, including the Italian navigator and explorer Marcus Polo, who lived from 1254 to 1324 and is best known for his travels to Asia and his book, The Travels of Marco Polo.

In more recent times, notable bearers of the name Markus include the German philosopher and cultural critic Markus Horkheimer, who lived from 1895 to 1973 and co-founded the Frankfurt School of critical theory.