Maskew Family History

Perhaps from a minor locality in Crosthwaite (Westm) called Merskhowe in 1374, alluding to a hill (Old Scandinavian haugr) by a marsh (Old Scandinavian mersk). Compare Alice Merscow 1655 in IGI (Garstang Lancs) with Margaret Maskow 1709 in IGI (Saint Michael on Wyre Lancs) and Gulielmus Marscough 1821 in IGI (Clayton le Moors Lancs). Colloquial reduction of Mersk- to Mask- is unexceptional, while final -ow frequently becomes -ew in NW English dialect, subsequently weakened to -ey. However, there is no medieval evidence that this minor feature in the landscape gave rise to a surname.

Alternatively, perhaps from Marshaw (in Overwyresdale Lancaster Lancs), recorded as Marthesagh in 1323, and explained as the wood (Old English sceaga) frequented by martens (Old English mearð). By folk etymology, Marsh- may have been altered to Marsk- and -shaw equated with -scough and -skew (Old Scandinavian skógr) ‘wood’.

Perhaps a variant of Maskall or Maskell (see Marshall) possibly illustrated by John Maskall 1612, Thomas Maskew 1618 in IGI (Saint Mary Castlegate York), and Marmaduke Maskew 1622, William Maskell 1660 in IGI (Holy Trinity Goodramgate York).