Surname Marlier - Meaning and Origin
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Marlier: What does the surname Marlier mean?
The last name Marlier is of French descent and has a variety of meanings. One possible meaning is derived from the famous French medieval Falcons and is thought to have derived from someone employed as a falconer. "Mar" is a French word meaning "sea"; this is linked to the theory that master falconers in the Middle Ages would take their birds to the coast or near the sea to hunt for food.
The French word “Marlier” and its variants can also be associated with someone who worked in a stable, as it derived from “maraud,” a horse-drawn carriage used by nobleman or kings; or the word “maillot,” meaning coat-of-arms or a master armorer. This word, in turn, is related to the French word “marle,” which has the same meaning as maillot.
In some cases, the last name Marlier can be of Dutch or Flemish origin and is thought to be an occupational name for a wainwright. Another possible origin is from the French words “marrée” or “ marl”, meaning moor or marsh; Marlier was likely an area name in northern France where the residents raised horses nearing water.
The last name Marlier is found in France, the United States, Canada, Belgium, and other countries with large French immigrant populations. Those who bear this name are thought to share a common ancestor who was likely a falconer, armorer, horseman or wainwright. The Marlier family has a history of contributing to society in many peaceful ways, and now, some members are carrying on that tradition.
Order DNA origin analysisMarlier: Where does the name Marlier come from?
The last name Marlier is common mainly in Belgium today, especially in the south where the surname originated. The Marlier surname can be found in several Belgian communities including Belgrade, Andenne, and Huy. It is also common in Luxembourg, France, and the Netherlands.
The name Marlier is a derivative of the French word ‘marier’ meaning ‘to marry’. This suggests that the first bearers of the name Marlier were likely married men, though the origins of the surname are hard to pinpoint. It is also possible that the name could originate from an occupational or place name.
The 19th century would see a mass wave of emigration by Marlier family members to the United States. Hence, many American citizens today likely have ancestors that can trace their roots back to Belgium. In 2020, approximately 24,000 people in the United States have this surname. States with the highest numbers of Marlier’s are New York, California, Michigan, Illinois, and Pennsylvania.
Beyond Belgium and the US, some Marlier family members reside in other parts of the world such as Brazil, Mexico, and portions of the Carribean. Each place has its own unique and fascinating story that is based on the surname.
Variations of the surname Marlier
The surname Marlier has a variety of variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. These include Marleau, Marlet, Marly, Marl, Marlais, Marlas, Marlah, Marlan, Marlane, Marlatt, Marlette, Marliat, Marlow, Marley, Marlo, Marloe, Marlowe, Marla, Marleye, Marlio, Marliss, Marlon, Marlin, Marlina, Marlena, Marleen, and Marline.
Its French variant, Marleau, comes from a French place name, which in turn derived from the Latin Marlea. It likely means ‘an area with small stones’ and is found in several places in France today as well as in the United States. Marlet is derived from a diminutive of Marleau and is now used as a given name as well as a surname.
Marly, Marl, Marlais, Marlas, Marlah, Marlan, Marlane, Marlatt, Marlette, Marliat, Marlow, and Marley all have their roots in the French Marleau. Marlo and Marloe are derived from the Irish surname Marlough, which was originally a placename meaning ‘sea fort’. Marlowe likely derives from a French habitational name from Marlow near Calais in Pas-de-Calais. Marla, Marleye, Marlio, Marliss, Marlon, Marlin, Marlina, Marlena, Marleen, and Marline all have their roots in the British surname Marl.
This surname was likely derived from an Old French nickname for someone with a large mustache, from the word ‘marle’ meaning ‘a tuft of hair’. Various spellings of Marlier have evolved since its origin, but all variants are still connected to a single origin, meaning there is quite a bit of commonality between them all.
Famous people with the name Marlier
- Jean-Jacques Marlier: Premier Minister of Belgium from 1988-1992
- Louis Marlier: French painter and engraver
- Albert Marlier: Belgian visually impaired poet
- Michel Marlier: Belgian politician and president of the Walloon regional government
- Pierre Marlier: French composer and conductor
- Bruno Marlier: Belgian sculptor
- Guy Marlier: Belgian actor
- Wilfred Marlier: Belgian sprinter
- Raphaël Marlier: Belgian cyclist
- Robert Marlier: French philosopher
- Xavier Marlier: Belgian futsal player
- Marc Marlier: Belgian musician
- Didier Marlier: French footballer
- Stéphane Marlier: French footballer
- Charles Marlier: Belgian sculptor
- Etienne Marlier: Belgian diplomat
- Philippe Marlier: French kayaker
- Armand Marlier: French rower
- Marc-Henri Marlier: Belgian illustrator and cartoonist
- Émile-Jean Marlier: Belgian political scientist