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

Marsden, 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 Marsden surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Marsden in America

Marsden is the 7096th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Marsden surname appeared 4,718 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 2 people would have the surname Marsden.

We can also compare 2010 data for Marsden 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 Marsden

The surname Marsden has its origins in England, dating back to the medieval period. It is a locational name derived from the place name Marsden, which can be found in various locations across the country, including West Yorkshire, Lancashire, and Lincolnshire. The name is thought to have originated from the Old English words "mersc," meaning marsh, and "denu," meaning valley, suggesting it referred to a person who lived in a marshy valley.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Marsden can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, which documented the great survey of England commissioned by William the Conqueror. The name appeared as "Merscedene" in the section relating to Lincolnshire, indicating the presence of individuals bearing this surname in the region at that time.

The surname Marsden has been associated with notable individuals throughout history. One such figure was Ralph Marsden (1589-1677), an English clergyman and writer who authored several religious works, including "The Portraiture of a Christian Gentlewoman" and "The Excellent Woman." Another prominent bearer of the name was Sir James Marsden (1770-1843), a British naval officer who served during the Napoleonic Wars and later became a Member of Parliament.

In the literary world, John Marsden (1950-present) is an acclaimed Australian author best known for his young adult fiction, particularly the "Tomorrow" series. His works have received numerous awards and critical acclaim for their exploration of themes such as survival, friendship, and moral dilemmas.

The name Marsden has also been associated with places and landmarks. For instance, the town of Marsden in West Yorkshire, England, is believed to have derived its name from the surname, reflecting the historical presence of individuals bearing this name in the area. Similarly, Marsden Rock in South Australia was named after Rev. Samuel Marsden, a prominent Anglican clergyman and missionary in the early 19th century.

Other notable individuals with the surname Marsden include Sir Robert Marsden (1892-1960), a British civil servant and diplomat who served as the Governor of Malta; and William Marsden (1754-1836), an English philologist and orientalist who made significant contributions to the study of Malay and Polynesian languages.

The surname Marsden has a rich history rooted in the English countryside, with its origins reflecting the geographic features of the areas where it first emerged. Over the centuries, it has been borne by individuals from various walks of life, including clergymen, writers, naval officers, and civil servants, leaving an indelible mark on the cultural and historical landscape.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Marsden

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

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

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

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