Famous Last Names: Females Named Martha

Are you curious about the last names of famous females named Martha? Discover a captivating list of surnames that have graced the lives of remarkable women throughout history. From prominent figures in politics, arts, and science to renowned athletes and entrepreneurs, this comprehensive compilation explores the diverse lineage of women named Martha who have left an indelible mark on society. Join us as we delve into the fascinating stories behind their last names, unveiling the rich tapestry of their heritage and the significance of these names in their journey to greatness.
1. **Martha Stewart:** A prominent American businesswoman, television personality, and author. Stewart is a common English surname derived from the Old English word "steward," meaning "overseer" or "manager" of a household or estate. It often indicates someone who held a position of authority or responsibility in managing property or finances.

2. **Martha Graham:** A legendary American dancer and choreographer, known as the "mother of modern dance." Graham is a common English surname derived from the Old English word "gram," meaning "grass" or "meadow." It may have originally referred to someone who lived near or worked with a meadow.

3. **Martha Washington:** The first First Lady of the United States, married to President George Washington. Washington is a common English surname derived from the Old English word "wæcnan," meaning "to wake" or "to be watchful." It may have originally referred to someone who lived near or worked with a watchtower or a place of lookout.

4. **Martha Argerich:** A celebrated Argentine pianist, renowned for her virtuosity and expressive performances. Argerich is a Spanish surname derived from the Basque word "ager," meaning "field" or "farmland." It may have originally referred to someone who lived near or worked with a field or a farm.

5. **Martha Gellhorn:** A prominent American journalist and war correspondent, known for her courage and insightful reporting. Gellhorn is a German surname derived from the Old High German word "gell," meaning "bright" or "shining." It may have originally referred to someone who had a bright or shining personality or who possessed a particular skill or talent.

6. **Martha Nussbaum:** A distinguished American philosopher and legal scholar, known for her work on ethics, political theory, and feminism. Nussbaum is a German surname derived from the Old High German word "nuß," meaning "nut" or "hazelnut." It may have originally referred to someone who lived near or worked with a nut orchard or who was skilled in nut processing.

7. **Martha Grimes:** A best-selling American mystery writer, known for her detective novels featuring the character Richard Jury. Grimes is an English surname derived from the Old English word "grim," meaning "fierce" or "strong." It may have originally referred to someone who had a fierce or strong personality or who was known for their courage or strength.

8. **Martha Beck:** A prominent American author, speaker, and life coach, known for her work on personal growth and self-discovery. Beck is an English surname derived from the Old English word "bece," meaning "beech" or "beech tree." It may have originally referred to someone who lived near or worked with a beech tree or who had a beech tree as a symbol or a personal totem.

9. **Martha Coolidge:** An acclaimed American film director and producer, known for her work in both independent and mainstream cinema. Coolidge is an English surname derived from the Old English word "col," meaning "black" or "dark." It may have originally referred to someone who had a dark complexion or who was associated with darkness or mystery.

10. **Martha Plimpton:** A talented American actress, known for her roles in both film and television. Plimpton is an English surname derived from the Old English word "plimp," meaning "round" or "plump." It may have originally referred to someone who had a round or plump physique or who was known for their generosity or abundance.

11. **Martha Lane Fox:** A British businesswoman and social entrepreneur, known for her work in digital technology and social impact. Fox is an English surname derived from the Old English word "fox," meaning "a fox." It may have originally referred to someone who lived near or hunted foxes or who was known for their cunning or intelligence.

12. **Martha Quinn:** A popular American television personality, best known for her role as a video jockey on MTV. Quinn is an Irish surname derived from the Gaelic word "cuan," meaning "bay" or "harbor." It may have originally referred to someone who lived near or worked with a bay or harbor or who was known for their seafaring skills.

13. **Martha Mitchell:** A prominent American political figure, known for her outspoken criticism of the Nixon administration during the Watergate scandal. Mitchell is an English surname derived from the Old English word "micel," meaning "great" or "large." It may have originally referred to someone who had a large stature or who was known for their strength or influence.

14. **Martha Raddatz:** A distinguished American journalist and television correspondent, known for her work in foreign affairs and her coverage of national elections. Raddatz is a German surname derived from the Old High German word "rat," meaning "counsel" or "advice." It may have originally referred to someone who gave advice or counsel or who was known for their wisdom or insight.

15. **Martha Higareda:** A popular Mexican actress and producer, known for her roles in both telenovelas and films. Higareda is a Spanish surname derived from the Basque word "higa," meaning "thorn" or "prickle." It may have originally referred to someone who lived near or worked with a thorny bush or who was known for their resilience or strength.

16. **Martha Wainwright:** A celebrated Canadian singer-songwriter, known for her powerful vocals and introspective lyrics. Wainwright is an English surname derived from the Old English word "wæg," meaning "way" or "path." It may have originally referred to someone who lived near or traveled along a particular way or path or who was known for their journey or pilgrimage.

17. **Martha Koslow:** A prominent American lawyer and legal scholar, known for her work in environmental law and her advocacy for sustainable development. Koslow is a Polish surname derived from the Slavic word "kos," meaning "basket" or "hamper." It may have originally referred to someone who made or sold baskets or who was associated with a particular type of basket or hamper.

18. **Martha Frankel:** A celebrated American writer and journalist, known for her work on social justice and her insightful commentary on contemporary issues. Frankel is a German surname derived from the Old High German word "franke," meaning "free" or "independent." It may have originally referred to someone who was free from servitude or who was known for their independent spirit.

19. **Martha Minow:** A distinguished American legal scholar and university administrator, known for her work in human rights law and her leadership in higher education. Minow is an English surname derived from the Old English word "mine," meaning "a mine" or "a quarry." It may have originally referred to someone who lived near or worked with a mine or a quarry or who was associated with the mining industry.

20. **Martha Jones:** A fictional character in the British science fiction television series Doctor Who, a companion to the Eleventh Doctor. Jones is an English surname derived from the Old English word "geon," meaning "a young person" or "a child." It may have originally referred to someone who was known for their youthful appearance or their youthful spirit.

21. **Martha Scott:** An acclaimed American actress, known for her roles in both stage and film. Scott is an English surname derived from the Old English word "scyttan," meaning "to shoot" or "to throw." It may have originally referred to someone who was skilled in archery or who was known for their accuracy or precision.

22. **Martha MacCallum:** A prominent American journalist and television news anchor, known for her work on Fox News. MacCallum is a Scottish surname derived from the Gaelic word "mac," meaning "son" or "descendant." It may have originally referred to a son or descendant of a particular family or clan.

23. **Martha Byrne:** An accomplished American actress, known for her roles in both soap operas and television series. Byrne is an Irish surname derived from the Gaelic word "báirne," meaning "a small hill" or "a mound." It may have originally referred to someone who lived near or worked with a small hill or a mound or who was associated with a particular location or terrain.

24. **Martha Raye:** A legendary American actress and comedian, known for her boisterous personality and comedic timing. Raye is an English surname derived from the Old English word "rā," meaning "to roam" or "to wander." It may have originally referred to someone who was known for their travels or their wandering nature or who was associated with a particular place or route.

25. **Martha Reeves:** A celebrated American singer and songwriter, known as the lead vocalist of the Motown group Martha and the Vandellas. Reeves is an English surname derived from the Old English word "rēaf," meaning "garment" or "clothing." It may have originally referred to someone who made or sold garments or who was associated with a particular type of garment or clothing.

26. **Martha Redbone:** A gifted American singer and songwriter, known for her blend of folk, blues, and Native American music. Redbone is an English surname derived from the Old English word "read," meaning "red" or "ruddy." It may have originally referred to someone who had a reddish complexion or who was associated with a particular color or shade.

27. **Martha Beckwith:** A distinguished American anthropologist and folklorist, known for her work on African American culture and folklore. Beckwith is an English surname derived from the Old English word "bece," meaning "beech" or "beech tree." It may have originally referred to someone who lived near or worked with a beech tree or who had a beech tree as a symbol or a personal totem.

28. **Martha Graham:** A prominent American journalist and author, known for her work on women's issues and her feminist perspectives. Graham is a common English surname derived from the Old English word "gram," meaning "grass" or "meadow." It may have originally referred to someone who lived near or worked with a meadow.

29. **Martha Kaufma:** An accomplished American artist and educator, known for her work in printmaking and her contributions to art education. Kaufma is a German surname derived from the Old High German word "kauf," meaning "to buy" or "to trade." It may have originally referred to someone who was a merchant or a trader or who was associated with a particular type of trade or commerce.

30. **Martha Ann Williams:** A prominent American civil rights activist and educator, known for her work in the Civil Rights Movement and her dedication to social justice. Williams is a common English surname derived from the Old English word "wille," meaning "will" or "desire." It may have originally referred to someone who was known for their strong will or their determination to achieve their goals.

31. **Martha Grimes:** An acclaimed American novelist and short story writer, known for her work in crime fiction and her distinctive style. Grimes is an English surname derived from the Old English word "grim," meaning "fierce" or "strong." It may have originally referred to someone who had a fierce or strong personality or who was known for their courage or strength.

32. **Martha Beck:** A gifted American painter and sculptor, known for her abstract and expressive art. Beck is an English surname derived from the Old English word "bece," meaning "beech" or "beech tree." It may have originally referred to someone who lived near or worked with a beech tree or who had a beech tree as a symbol or a personal totem.

33. **Martha Coolidge:** An accomplished American film producer and director, known for her work in both documentary and narrative filmmaking. Coolidge is an English surname derived from the Old English word "col," meaning "black" or "dark." It may have originally referred to someone who had a dark complexion or who was associated with darkness or mystery.

34. **Martha Plimpton:** A celebrated American actress and activist, known for her roles in both film and theater. Plimpton is an English surname derived from the Old English word "plimp," meaning "round" or "plump." It may have originally referred to someone who had a round or plump physique or who was known for their generosity or abundance.

35. **Martha Lane Fox:** A prominent British businesswoman and entrepreneur, known for her work in digital technology and her advocacy for social change. Fox is an English surname derived from the Old English word "fox," meaning "a fox." It may have originally referred to someone who lived near or hunted foxes or who was known for their cunning or intelligence.

36. **Martha Quinn:** A popular American television personality and author, known for her work in entertainment and her passion for music. Quinn is an Irish surname derived from the Gaelic word "cuan," meaning "bay" or "harbor." It may have originally referred to someone who lived near or worked with a bay or harbor or who was known for their seafaring skills.

37. **Martha Mitchell:** A prominent American political figure and social activist, known for her outspokenness and her courage in challenging the status quo. Mitchell is an English surname derived from the Old English word "micel," meaning "great" or "large." It may have originally referred to someone who had a large stature or who was known for their strength or influence.

38. **Martha Raddatz:** An acclaimed American journalist and television correspondent, known for her insightful reporting and her ability to connect with viewers. Raddatz is a German surname derived from the Old High German word "rat," meaning "counsel" or "advice." It may have originally referred to someone who gave advice or counsel or who was known for their wisdom or insight.

39. **Martha Higareda:** A celebrated Mexican actress and producer, known for her versatility and her ability to portray complex characters. Higareda is a Spanish surname derived from the Basque word "higa," meaning "thorn" or "prickle." It may have originally referred to someone who lived near or worked with a thorny bush or who was known for their resilience or strength.

40. **Martha Wainwright:** A gifted Canadian singer-songwriter and musician, known for her powerful vocals and her ability to connect with audiences on a personal level. Wainwright is an English surname derived from the Old English word "wæg," meaning "way" or "path." It may have originally referred to someone who lived near or traveled along a particular way or path or who was known for their journey or pilgrimage.