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ArchivesRe: Marleah
One of my ancestors was named Marleah. I was wondering if anyone has any ideas about what the origin of this name may be. I have been advised in the past to look under Marley. However, the "leah" in it so distinct it seems to me this name may be based on Leah. Is that possible? I'm afraid I'm not very good at figuring out these things. Any help would be appreciated!!
Also, I've heard the opinion that this name was probably "invented" by the mother. True, it is not listed on this site but I have found it on other name sites. However, those sites do not specify an origin or a meaning but rather give simply a long list of names. Also, when using a search engine, over 1000 web pages are pulled up that contain this name, whether it be a baby name site, or an obituary, or a praise for a female athlete with this name, et cetera. Marleah is not THAT unique, which furthers my curiosity as to the lack of information available about it.
Thanks so much for your help! This has been a curiosity to me for quite some time!
--MJ
Also, I've heard the opinion that this name was probably "invented" by the mother. True, it is not listed on this site but I have found it on other name sites. However, those sites do not specify an origin or a meaning but rather give simply a long list of names. Also, when using a search engine, over 1000 web pages are pulled up that contain this name, whether it be a baby name site, or an obituary, or a praise for a female athlete with this name, et cetera. Marleah is not THAT unique, which furthers my curiosity as to the lack of information available about it.
Thanks so much for your help! This has been a curiosity to me for quite some time!
--MJ
1
Replies
Lea/Leah is the old Anglo-Saxon for 'meadow, field' (lea is still used as a synonym for 'meadow' here in England) and everyone who referred you to Marley was spot-on correct. Marley is made up from the elements maere 'boundary' and leah/lea meaning 'meadow' so 'meadow near the boundary' - it's an English placename. Spellings are never static and in the times of general illiteracy and slower-moving sharing of information they were even more varied - the same place might occur in various records as Maerlea/Marlea, Maerleah/Marleah, Maerleas/Marleas (pl), Marleigh, Maerleage or Marley - the elements and intentions were the same but the spellings were not.
Just finding a name on the internet is of no consequence - yes, it exists and isn't that uncommon but that doesn't mean it's completely unconnected to another name. You'll find tons of 'Mandy' out there too but they all lead etymologically back to Amanda, regardless of whether or not the parents make the leap of logic or recognise it on the birth certificate. Marleah is simply a varient spelling of the placename/surname Marley and could indicate that it was once a surname in your family or that someone in the line hailed from one of the places called Marley/Marleah - here in England you'll find them in Devon, Kent, Sussex, West Yorks, Ches and over in Co. Durham and there are probably dozens more in America to check out also.
cheers
Devon
Just finding a name on the internet is of no consequence - yes, it exists and isn't that uncommon but that doesn't mean it's completely unconnected to another name. You'll find tons of 'Mandy' out there too but they all lead etymologically back to Amanda, regardless of whether or not the parents make the leap of logic or recognise it on the birth certificate. Marleah is simply a varient spelling of the placename/surname Marley and could indicate that it was once a surname in your family or that someone in the line hailed from one of the places called Marley/Marleah - here in England you'll find them in Devon, Kent, Sussex, West Yorks, Ches and over in Co. Durham and there are probably dozens more in America to check out also.
cheers
Devon
1