Markus
A surname from the Latin personal name Marcus, meaning it began as a name tied to the Roman god Mars.
The #8,968 most common surname in the United States (2010 Census) — about 1 in every 84,611 Americans shares it.
Etymology
Markus is ultimately from the Roman given name Marcus, a very old Latin name traditionally linked with Mars, the god of war. In surname use, it usually began as a family name formed from a personal name rather than from a place or occupation. In some languages, especially Hungarian and Germanic usage, Markus is simply the inherited or local form of Marcus.
History
The historical excerpts point to Markus as a learned or vernacular form of Marcus, especially in Hungarian usage. The name also appears among surnames formed from saints’ names, which is common in Christian Europe. In North America it may reflect immigration from Central or Northern European families, or it may have arisen independently in more than one language community.
Origin
Regions
Variant spellings
Fun fact
Markus is one of many surnames that ultimately go back to Mars, the Roman god of war.
From the historical record
“1 Clephas, Lazarus, Marcus en Markus, Mattheus eu Matthaei (zie 1)1. 150), Nicodem, Stephanus, Thomas, enz. NAMEN VAN HEILIGEN ALS GESLACHTSNAMEN. 181”
— De Nederlandsche geslachtsnamen in oorsprong, geschiedenis en beteekenis