The Marland Family

History in print

From John Corry; The History of Lancashire (1825):

Vol.2: The Pedigree of Chadwick of Healey, p. 586 and facing plate 5: Arms of alliance illustrating the pedigree

Families impaling the arms of Chadwick [i.e. who married Chadwick ladies] include Marland or Merlond of Merlond: Azure a bend raguly argent in sinister chief a ducal crown or a crescent gules for difference [i.e. figure A on our heraldry page].

Vol.2: Genealogical Account of the two Families of Chadwick, p.543-544

First Generation: Nicholas de Chadwyk was born temp. Edward III and died before 1445, when he had recently with his son Robert granted lands in Spotlond & Hunresfield to Henry Marlond Vicar of Rachdale, their trustee.

Second Generation: Robert de Chadwyk then had the same lands confirmed to him by Henry de Merlond his trustee by deed 20 July 1445; witnesses include Roger Merlond.

Robert granted the same lands to Henry son of John Chadwyk (his nephew) 15 Aug 1445; witnesses: Henry Merlond, vicar, Roger Merlond.

Vol.2: Genealogical Account of the two Families of Chadwick, p.564

Sixth Generation: John Chadwyck of Healeye Gentleman married Agnes daughter of James Heuwood of Heuwood [covenant dated 8 Feb 1551/52]; they had issue 5 sons and 4 daughters.

The third daughter Margaret married James Marland of Marland [in Castleton] Gentleman 29 May 1602 and was buried at Rachdale 14 Jan 1603/04, leaving male issue.

Vol.2 Notes to pedigree of Chadwick of Chadwick, p.590

Even so late as 12 Aug 1584 it was covenanted that James Marland of Marland (when of age) should come to the Court of Charles Holt of Stubley Esquire and do homage and service that of right he ought to do [Healey Evidences]

Vol.2 Notes to pedigree of Chadwick of Chadwick, p.593 

Henry Merlond, vicar. He was vicar of the church of Rachdale from 31 July 1444 to 1454 and probably was of the ancient house of Merland of Merlond in Castleton the head of which married Margaret Chadwycke of Heley in 1602, 44 Elizabeth.

Vol.2 Notes to the Pedigree of Chadwick of Healey, p.623:

The village of Marland originally Merlond or Merland from its mere or small lake was a grange of the Abbey of Whalley and had a chapel of uncertain origin from which it was named Chapel-Marland - Abbas de Whalley - Merland Grangia. After the dissolution it was granted to Radcliffe of Langley who sold it to Holt of Stubley and Castleton. [Inquisitiones and History of Whalley]

Some have supposed that Trinity Chapel in Rochdale church was founded by the Marlands after Marland Chapel was deserted.

"Trinity Chapel within the parysshe chirche of Rachdale" is named in an award of 1 May 1531 (Healey Evidences). In 1665 or 1667 it belonged to Marland of Marland and Butterworth of Belfield jointly when the latter purchased the former's moiety. but the late Rev Mr Holme of Brownhill who died in 1787 always asserted that one half of this chapel belonged to the Chadwicks of Healey before they removed to Ridware, whether in right of their church lands held formerly under Whalley Abbey or through the two families of Marland and Butterworth with both of which they intermarried. At Ridware however they would at all events feel satisfied with another Trinity Chapel filled with the tombs of their Norman ancestors. And yet so lately as 8 Aug 1823 no less a sum than £645 was bid for this chapel by the present owner of Healey Hall when it was knocked down to the next bidder for £650! Had the former succeeded in the purchase of it, it was his intention to vault it underneath ad to embellish it with some memorials to his Saxon ancestors. About the year 1775 one pew in the west gallery [anciently the rood loft] of the same church was sold by auction in London for £700 or more.

This hamlet gave name to a race of gentry long resident within it but there is not any pedigree or coat of arms for the family in the college of arms.

Henry de Merlond granted Brenderth to John de Heley on the marriage of his daughter Amicis to Andrew de Heley son of the said John on the feast of St Peter ad Cathedram 1 Edward I, 29 Jun 1273

Henry Merlond was the trustee of Nicholas de Chadwyk in 1445 being then vicar of the church of Rachdale and probably a younger son of this house educated at Whalley Abbey.

Roger Merlond who attests the trust deeds of 1445 was probably his brother.

James Merlond is named in a fine 15 Aug 1580; appears on 22 Oct 1581; witnesses a release 10 Jun 1582; and is named with Margaret [Chadwyck] his wife in a grant of 12 Aug 1584; when their son and heir James was a ward of Stubley Esq when it was covenanted that "he should come [when of age] to the court of James Holt of Stubley Esq and do homage and service that of right he ought to do. (Healey Evidences)

Henry Ashton of Shepley son of Thomas by Bagshaw of Ridge and grandson of Geoffrey third son of Sir Thomas Ashton Lord of Ashton by Shepley of Shepley married Anne daughter of James Marland near Rachdale (sans date). (Percival's MSS)

James Marland of Marland gentleman sold a moiety of Trinity Chapel to Alexander Butterworth of Belfelde Esq in 1665.

James Marland married 29 May 1602
Uxor James Marland buried 14 Jan 1603
James son of James Marsland bapt 21 July 1611
Uxor James Marland de Marland de Marland [sic] buried 25 Dec 1656
Robert Marland clerk had a child buried 1610
(Rochdale Parochial Register)

But there was a family of the name of Merland in Surry mentioned in the pedigree of Leigh of Adlington Cheshire. (College of Arms)