Martel

Origin of Surname

The surname Martel is well-established Anglo-Norman surname in the Channel Islands. It comes from the Norman French word for hammer (marteau in modern French). It is probably the closest equivalent to the English surname Smith. A Geffroi Martel was allegedly one of the knights who accompanied William the Conqueror in 1066. He is also mentioned as a sub-tenant in the Domesday Book. King Charlemagne's grandfather was one Charles Martel (abt 688 - 741), King of the Franks.

The earliest Martels references to members of the Martel family in Guernsey can be found in the 1500s. In Jersey, the surname can be found as early as 1229, when Anquetil Martel is mentioned in Lettres closes relatives aux isles de la Manche (1205-1227).

Variants

• Martel, 1229
• Martell

Family Records

Jersey family trees

Note: This is a classic example of a family which is difficult to research because there are frequently two or more men with the same name raising families at the same time in the same parish. Having cross-checked all trees with parish records we are reasonably confident in their accuracy, but researchers are advised to exercise caution and attempt to find other sources.

• Descendants of Nicolas Martel, an early tree
• Descendants of Nicolas Martel - 2 - a much extended version of the above tree showing the ancestry and descendants of the Cognac brandy house founder Jean Martel
• Descendants of Jean Martel, a different Jean Martel
• Descendants of Jean Martel - 2, an extended version of the above tree
• Descendants of Philippe Martel
• Descendants of Philippe Martel - 2, a different Philippe from the above tree

Church records

Tips for using these links

• Martel baptisms in Jersey
• Martel marriages in Jersey (groom)
• Martel marriages in Jersey (bride)
• Martel burials in Jersey

Family histories

• Martel family, a history of the Jersey Martels by Roland de Caen
• Jean Martell (1694-1753) - Jersey-born founder of Martell Cognac and responsible for establishing brandy trade routes with Guernsey

Burial records

• Martel burial records 1820-1978

Family businesses

• 

  1837

Family album

• 

  Francis James Martel (1857- )

• 

  Frank Martell

• 

  Alice Susannah Martel, nee Loweth

Family gravestones

Click on any image to see a larger version. See the Jerripedia gravestone image collection page for more information about our gravestone photographs

• 

  St Matthew’s, St Lawrence

Further Reading

• Firino, Roger, La Famille Martell, (Paris 1924)

Links

• Martell Cognac

Tips

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New records

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