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

Marion, 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 Marion surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Marion in America

Marion is the 2446th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Marion surname appeared 14,777 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 5 people would have the surname Marion.

We can also compare 2010 data for Marion 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 Marion

The surname Marion originated in France, with roots dating back to the Middle Ages. It is derived from the given name "Marion," which itself stems from the Latin word "Marianus," meaning "of the sea" or "marine." The name was initially associated with coastal regions of France, particularly in Normandy.

The earliest recorded instances of the surname Marion can be traced back to the 12th century. It appears in several medieval French manuscripts and records, including the Cartulaire de l'Abbaye de Saint-Bertin, a cartulary from the Abbey of Saint-Bertin in Saint-Omer, dating from around 1150. This document mentions individuals with the surname Marion, indicating its presence in the region at that time.

During the Middle Ages, the surname Marion was also found in other parts of France, including the Île-de-France region and the Loire Valley. It is believed that the name spread from its Normandy origins as people migrated and settled in different areas.

One notable historical figure with the surname Marion was Jean Marion, a French composer and musician who lived in the 16th century (c. 1540-1600). He was a renowned lutenist and composer of lute music during the Renaissance period.

Another prominent individual with this surname was Francis Marion (1732-1795), a military officer and revolutionary patriot from South Carolina. He played a significant role in the American Revolutionary War and is often referred to as the "Swamp Fox" for his guerrilla tactics and successful campaigns against British forces.

In the 19th century, the surname Marion was associated with several influential figures. François Marion (1776-1855) was a French military engineer and architect who designed fortifications and public buildings throughout France and Europe.

Albert Marion (1854-1925) was a French physician and neurologist who made significant contributions to the study of neurology and the understanding of neurological disorders.

Additionally, Maximilian Marion (1889-1944) was a German actor and film director active during the early 20th century, known for his work in silent films and early talkies.

While the surname Marion has its roots in France, it has since spread globally and can be found in many different countries and cultures. However, its origins can be traced back to the coastal regions of Normandy and the historical significance it held during the Middle Ages and subsequent eras.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Marion

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

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 Marion 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 Marion 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 Marion was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

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