MARSHALL

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

Arthur, William (1857) An Etymological Dictionary of Family and Christian Names. New York: Sheldon, Blakeman. Public Domain.

MARSHALL. This word has doubled its meaning in a very singular fashion. Cotgrave sa)'s — " a marshal 1 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 theetjmion, Fv.mares-cJial; Dutch, ■maer, a horse, and acialck, 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 cavahy, and other offices of state, some of which were not connected with horses, but with the management of great jjublic affairs. Hence, under the anc'wn regime, the Great Slarshals 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 hattle-field, or armorial coats in the field of heraldry, besides other meanings. The surname though sometimes derived from the sujerior occupation or "honour

Lower, Mark A (1860) Patronymica Britannica: a dictionary of the family names of the United Kingdom. London: J.R. Smith. Public Domain.