indicate the level to which a name has been verified.
Type Surname (from nickname, from occupation)
Usage English, German, French, Spanish, Portuguese
Other Forms FormsMartel
Meaning & History
English and German: from a medieval personal name, a pet form of Martin or Marta.
English and French: metonymic occupational name for a smith or a nickname for a forceful person, from Old French martel ‘hammer’ (Late Latin martellus). Charles Martel, the grandfather of Charlemagne, gained his byname from the force with which he struck down his enemies in battle.
Spanish and Portuguese: from Portuguese martelo, Old Spanish martel ‘hammer’ (Late Latin martellus), or an Iberianized form of the Italian cognate Martello.
English and French: metonymic occupational name for a smith or a nickname for a forceful person, from Old French martel ‘hammer’ (Late Latin martellus). Charles Martel, the grandfather of Charlemagne, gained his byname from the force with which he struck down his enemies in battle.
Spanish and Portuguese: from Portuguese martelo, Old Spanish martel ‘hammer’ (Late Latin martellus), or an Iberianized form of the Italian cognate Martello.