A male name. this name was fairly common in Yorkshire from the 12th C onwards, particularly in the region round Thirsk, in the families of de Arell, de Thweng, and others. In Domesday Book Wellbury, about 13 miles from Thirsk, is said to have been held Tempore Regis Edwardi (In the Reign of Edward the Confessor) by Fredegist and Melmidoc. This looks like Celtic Maelmadoc, ‘servant of Madoc’, which would easily become Marmaduc (the usual medieval spelling) in Anglo-Norman. The name has remained very much localized in its use; Camden says of it, ‘Marmaduc a name common in the North’, and it is still principally used in Yorkshire, often abbreviated to Duke (cf. the surname Duke and Dukes).

Melmidoc Domesday Book 1086. Marmaducus Curia Regis Rolls 1201, 1205, 1207, Feudal Aids 1431.Marmaduc Assize Rolls 1219. Marmedoke Yorks Poll Tax of West Riding of Yorkshire 1379 1379.

M. Now mostly a North Country name, it was in C13-16 frequently bestowed among the English nobility. Certainly of Celtic origin, its etymology is problematic, for it may mean either ‘sea leader’ or ‘a steward’ (or ‘chief officer of the Crown’). It is an impressive yet friendly name.

From the Anglo Saxon mara-mihtig, very mighty or powerful.

Teutonic (masculine) - Most mighty.

A Celtic name, meaning: Leader at sea. (Anglo-Saxon) Great noble.