Martin Cemetery Records
Search burial records, grave locations, and genealogy data for the Martin family name across all 50 states.
🏺 Origin of the Martin Surname
Martin is an English, French, and Spanish surname derived from the Latin "Martinus," which comes from "Mars" (the Roman god of war). Saint Martin of Tours was one of the most popular saints in medieval Europe, making Martin an extremely common given name — and eventually a common patronymic surname. Martin is among the most common surnames in France and is very common in the US among families of English, French, and Hispanic heritage.
🇺🇸 Martin Families in American History
Martin families came to America from England, Ireland, France (Huguenot refugees), and later from Germany (French-German border families). The name is found across all American regions. Martin is also common among African Americans — civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. bears the most famous African American Martin name.
Where Martin Families Are Concentrated
| State | Notes |
|---|---|
| Louisiana | Strong French-Creole Martin heritage; Martin is very common in Cajun communities |
| Tennessee | Deep Appalachian Martin heritage; Martin, TN named for local family |
| North Carolina | Colonial-era English Martin heritage; strong African American population |
| Texas | Large absolute population; both Anglo and Hispanic Martin families |
| Kentucky | Scots-Irish Martin families in Appalachian communities |
Famous Americans Named Martin
Co-founder of Aston Martin automobiles; British
Singer and actor; buried at Westwood Village Memorial Park, LA
Subject of national civil rights case; buried at Lake Monroe Memorial Gardens, Sanford, FL
Abstract painter; buried in Taos, NM
Search Tips for Martin Family Records
French-origin Martin families: Louisiana, South Carolina (Huguenot), and New York have the best Huguenot records
Appalachian Martin families: Baptist and Methodist church burial records in TN, KY, VA are essential
Spanish Martin families (Martinez is the patronymic form): Southwest US has excellent records
Louisiana Cajun Martin families: Catholic church records in New Iberia, Lafayette, and St. Martinville parishes
Dr. King family: Atlanta has extensive records about Martin Luther King Jr. family at the King Center
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Martin the same as Martinez?
Martinez is the Spanish patronymic form of Martin, meaning "son of Martin." They share the same root but are distinct surnames. Martin families in the American South and East are predominantly English or French origin; Martinez families are Spanish.
Are there Huguenot Martin families in America?
Yes. French Protestant (Huguenot) refugees who fled France after the revocation of the Edict of Nantes (1685) settled heavily in South Carolina (Charleston) and New York. Martin was a common Huguenot surname. These families are well-documented in the Huguenot Society's registers.
How do I find Cajun Martin families in Louisiana?
Catholic church records are essential for Louisiana Cajun Martin genealogy. St. Martin Parish (named for Saint Martin) in south-central Louisiana is a center of Cajun Martin heritage. The Diocese of Lafayette archives hold extensive baptismal and burial records.
Are Martin and Martins (with an S) the same surname?
Martins (with an S) is a separate Portuguese/Brazilian surname equivalent to Martin. Some records confuse the two. In areas with Portuguese or Brazilian immigrant communities, both spellings appear.
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