This surname is derived from an occupation. 'the marshal,' i.e. farrier. Like the smith, the marshal was a necessity in every centre of population. Hence it is found in all counties.

William le Marechal, Cambridgeshire, 1273. Hundred Rolls.

Gunnilda le Marescall, Somerset, ibid.

Robert Marescallus, Oxfordshire, ibid.

'Ego Matilda, quae fuit uxor Willelmi Benetson, marschall, compos mentis,' &c, 1392: Testamenta Ebor., Surt. Soc.

Thomas de Tiveryngton, marescal, 28 Edward I: Freemen of York.

Willelmus de Scheplay, marciall, 1379: Poll Tax of Yorkshire.

Johannes Mareschall, 1379: ibid.

1573. Christopher Marshall and Elizabeth Byrde: Marriage Lic. (London).

In the course of time, as marshal began to be associated solely with the military title, we find a kind of compromise in.

Jacobus Laurence, horsmarskall, 7 Henry VII: Freemen of York.

Richard Henryson, horsmarshall, 7 Henry VII: ibid.

This word means literally 'horse-servant,' in which sense it is still used in France (marechal, meaning a 'farrier'). The word is OHG. maraschalh borrowed through LL. mariscaicus into OF. as mareschal, and introduced into Britain at the Norman Conquest. In time the position, like that of Constable and Steward, became one of great dignity; but there is little doubt that most of the Marshalls in Scotland derive their surname from the humbler occupation of horse-servant or groom. A very common surname in Torphichen Commissariot Record. Maledoni Marescal is witness to gift of the lands of Perdeyc (Partick) to the church of Glasgow, 1136 (REG., p. 9). About 1170 Symon Mare-scall witnessed a charter by Walter de Berkeley (RAA., I, 58), and between 1178-80 Gillecolm Merescald witnessed a charter by William the Lion of Kinbethach to Gilbert, earl of Strathern (LIM., p. xxiii). Guldone marescaldus witnessed a charter by Robert, bishop of St. Andrews before 1173 (RPSA., p. 135), and Robert Merescaldus de Molle witnessed Eschina de London's gift of the church of Molle to Kelso, c. 1185-1190 (Kelso, 146,147). Philip Merescallus, a charter witness between 1187-c. 1202 (REM., 5; Inchaffray, p. 18), married the heiress of Keith-Humbie, and thus became ancestor of the Keiths, Earls Marischal. Adam, merescallus of the bishop of Glasgow, witnessed sale of lands of Scrogges to the church of Glasgow, c. 1208-13 (REG., p. 76), Walter Marescallus witnessed sale of the lands of Drumsleed by Stephen de Kinnardsley, c. 1218-22 (RER., II, 272), and William Marescalls was temporary provost of Aberdeen, 1281 (REA., II, p. 279). Richard, son of David Marshal of Nudref, and Agnes, daughter of Richard Siwart, knight, had a dispensation in 1290 to intermarry in the fourth degree (Pap. Lett., I, p. 510). Several Mar-schals ere among those who rendered homage in 1296 (Bain, II). Mairschaell 1590, Mairschell 1652, Marchael, Marschel, and Merschale 1458, Merchell 1605, Marschal 1411, Marschale 1458, Marechall 1448 Marschale 1430, Marscheall 1511, Marschell 1698, Martiall 1684, Merchel c. 1470, Merchell 1567, Mercial 1511, Merschaell 1478, Merschale 1499, Merschell 1643, Merschiall 1548, Mershael 1590, Mershell 1692, Mersell.

(English, German) One who cared for horses, especially one who treated their diseases; a shoeing smith; later, an official in a king's or high noble’s household having charge of military affairs.

This word has doubled its meaning in a very singular fashion. Cotgrave says-"a marshall of a kingdome or of a campe (an honourable place); also a black-smith; also a farrier, horse-leech, or horse-smith; also a harbinger." Richardson gives the etymon, FT. mares-chal; Dutch, maer, a horse, and schalck, a servant, literally "a servant who takes care of horses." By degrees the word acquired a more dignified meaning, and was applied to the "magister equorum" or master of the cavalry, and other offices of state, some of which were not connected with horses, but with the management of great public affairs. Hence, under the ancien regime, the Great Marshals of France, governors of provinces, &c., as well as the Earl-Marshal of England, the Lord Marischal of Scotland, &c. Hence the verb to 'marshal' is to arrange, either soldiers on a battle-field, or armorial coats in the field of heraldry, besides other meanings. The surname though sometimes derived from the superior occupation or "honourable place," (as in the case of the old Earls of Pembroke, in whom the office of Mareschal or commander-in-chief vested hereditarily) is far too common to admit a doubt that it generally implies nothing more than farrier or shoeing-smith, in which sense it is still used in France. From a table given in English Surn. ii. 163, it appears that in 1847-8 this surname stood sixtieth in the order of commonness in our family nomenclature.

A name of office—master of the horse, anciently, one who had command of all persons not above princes. Teutonic, Marschalk; French, Mareschal.

Marshall. —Distributed over England, its great home being in Notts and Lincolnshire, whilst there are less important homes in Northumberland in the north and in Somerset in the south. The name is of foreign origin. It was originally "Marechal," or "Mare - schalks," the old name for a horse - groom or farrier, in which sense it is still used in Prance. The post became dignified, and with it the name; but, as Lower remarks, it is probable that the great majority of Marshalls derived their name from the humbler occupation. The name has extended from the north of England into central and southern Scotland.