Martel Family History

French and English (Guernsey): nickname for a forceful person or perhaps a metonymic occupational name for a smith from Old French martel ‘hammer’ (also recorded in late Middle English) from Late Latin martellus. The reference may be to the martel de fer, the iron hammer or mace of medieval warfare as had been the case with Charles Martel, the grandfather of Charlemagne, who gained his byname from the force with which he struck down his enemies, the Saracens, in the battle of Tours (Poitiers) in 73.

English (Guernsey): from the Middle English and Old French personal name Martel, a pet form of Martin. German (also Märtel): from a pet form of the personal name Martin. Compare Mertel.

Spanish and Portuguese: from Portuguese martelo, Old Spanish martel ‘hammer’ (see also 1 above) or an Iberianized form of the Italian cognate Martello.