Find out how popular the last name Marcum is in the United States and learn more about the meaning, history, and race and ethnic origin of people in America who are named Marcum.

Marcum, like all of the last names we have data for, is identified by the U.S. Census Bureau as a surname which has more than 100 occurrences in the United States in the Decennial Census survey. The most recent statistics we have for the Marcum surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Marcum in America

Marcum is the 2244th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Marcum surname appeared 16,246 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 6 people would have the surname Marcum.

We can also compare 2010 data for Marcum to data from the previous census in 2000. The table below contains all of the statistics for both years in a side-by-side comparison.

The history of the last name Marcum

The surname Marcum originates from England and dates back to the Middle Ages. It is believed to have derived from the Old English words "meare" meaning boundary or boundary stone, and "cumb" meaning a valley or hollow, suggesting that the name may have referred to someone who lived in a valley near a boundary marker.

The earliest recorded instances of the Marcum surname can be found in various medieval records, such as the Pipe Rolls of Gloucestershire in 1195, where a Roger de Mereccumbe is mentioned. This spelling variation indicates the name's evolution over time.

In the 13th century, records from Shropshire mention a Richard de Merkomb, while in Yorkshire, the name appears as Merkcumbe. These variations likely arose due to regional dialectal differences and the fluid nature of spelling during that era.

The Marcum name has also been associated with place names, such as Markham in Nottinghamshire, which was recorded as Mercham in the Domesday Book of 1086. This suggests a potential connection between the surname and the location.

One notable bearer of the Marcum surname was John Marcum, a prominent merchant and alderman in the city of Bristol during the 15th century (c. 1420-1490). He played an essential role in the city's governance and trade relations.

Another historical figure was Thomas Marcum (c. 1550-1625), an English clergyman and author known for his work "The Marrow of Ecclesiastical History" published in 1609.

In the 17th century, William Marcum (c. 1620-1678) was a respected landowner and member of the gentry in Gloucestershire, England, owning considerable estates in the region.

The name also gained prominence in the American colonies, with Richard Marcum (c. 1675-1738) being one of the earliest recorded immigrants bearing the surname. He settled in Virginia and became a prosperous tobacco planter.

During the 18th century, Samuel Marcum (1725-1812) was a notable figure in the American Revolutionary War, serving as a militia captain and later as a member of the Virginia House of Delegates.

These are just a few examples of individuals who have carried the Marcum surname throughout history, highlighting its enduring presence and potential connections to various locations and occupations.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Marcum

We also have some data on the ancestry of people with the surname Marcum.

The below race categories are the modified race categories used in the Census Bureau's population estimates program. All people were categorized into six mutually exclusive racial and Hispanic origin groups:

1. White only
2. Black only
3. American Indian and Alaskan Native only
4. Asian and Pacific Islander only
5. Hispanic
6. Two or More Races

For the most recent 2010 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for Marcum was:

Note: Any fields showing (S) means the data was suppressed for privacy so that the data does not in any way identify any specific individuals.

Since we have data from the previous census in 2000, we can also compare the values to see how the popularity of Marcum has changed in the 10 years between the two census surveys.

Data source

The last name data and ethnic breakdown of last names is sourced directly from the Decennial Census survey, conducted every 10 years by the United States Census Bureau.

The history and meaning of the name Marcum was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Marcum, please contact us.

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