Martens (Martenss, Martensen, Martin, Martins, Mertins, Mertens), a Prussian Mennonite family name, is recorded as early as 1619. The early Dutch form "Marten" is the equivalent of the German and English given name, "Martin." The added "s" was attached to indicate that the bearer was a son of "Marten." The name occurred in the congregations at Danzig, Thiensdorf, Orloff, Rosenort, Elbing, Tiegenhagen, Ladekopp, Fürstenwerder, Heubuden, and Königsberg. From Prussia the name was transplanted to Russia. B. H. Unruh lists many people with this name in the Chortitza and Molotschna settlements. Abraham Martens, Johann Martens, Johann Johann Martens, Jacob Martens, and K. K. Martens were outstanding leaders in Russia.

From Russia the name was transplanted to North and South America. J. G. Rempel (1952) lists Abram A. Martens and Wilhelm G. Martens as ministers of the General Conference Mennonite Church (GCM) in Canada. J. H. Lohrenz (1950) lists Franz W. Martens, Henry A. Martens, and Jacob J. Martens as well-known Mennonite Brethren leaders. Heinrich Martins was a leader of the first Witmarsum settlement of the Mennonites in Brazil, later living in Blumenau.

Bibliography

Adapted by permission of Herald Press, Harrisonburg, Virginia, and Waterloo, Ontario, from Mennonite Encyclopedia, Vol. 3, pp. 512-513. All rights reserved. For information on ordering the encyclopedia visit the Herald Press website.

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