Etymology: < classical Latin Mariānus (only attested as adjective) < the name of Gaius Marius (157–86 b.c.), a famous Roman general and politician (see below) + -ānus -an suffix. In quot. 1579 at sense A. translating Hellenistic Greek πολλοὺς Μαρίους ‘many Mariuses’. N.E.D. (1905) gives only the pronunciation (mē^ə·riăn) /ˈmɛərɪən/.

Etymology: < the female forename Marian (also Marion ; compare Maid Marian n.), originally an Old French diminutive of Marie (see Mary n.¹; compare -oon suffix). With sense 2 compare post-classical Latin Viola Mariana (1597), Middle French, French violette de Marie (1557 in the source apparently translated in quot. 1578 for Marian's violet n. at sense 2). N.E.D. (1905) gives the pronunciation as (mē^ə·riăn) /ˈmɛərɪən/.

Etymology: < the personal name Mary (see Mary n.¹) + -an suffix. In sense A. 1a (and hence in sense B. 2a) < the name of Queen Mary I of England (see below); in sense A. 1b (and hence in sense B. 2b) < the name of Mary Queen of Scots (see below), probably after earlier use in sense A. 1a; in sense B. 1 (and hence in sense A. 2) < the name of the Virgin Mary (see Mary n.¹ 1a). With sense A. 2 compare also post-classical Latin Marianus, adjective (early 17th cent. or earlier).In specific application to the Teutonic Order (see quots. 1693 at sense B. 1 and 1701 at sense A. 2, 1728 at sense A. 2) after the order's formal name the Fraternal House of the Hospitalers of Saint Mary of the Teutons in Jerusalem; compare post-classical Latin Marianus, noun (1512 or earlier).

Etymology: < post-classical Latin Mariana, adjective (in Methodus Mariana ) < Marianus Sanctus Barolitanus, Latinized name of Mariano Santo (1488–1565), Italian surgeon. Compare -an suffix. N.E.D. (1905) gives only the pronunciation (mē^ə·riăn) /ˈmɛərɪən/.