The tribe are single handedly the majority of the Kismayo district, with a territory extending as far as the Badhadhe District region, dominating it almost completely comprisng the most territory followed by the Degodi and Gaaljecel tribes, primarily living in the coastal plains, with their main population centres being Ras Marehan and Burgabo.

The tribe also make up the majority clan of the Wajir East Constituency, living all the way up to the road and have a huge presence in Mandera and Garissa.

The tribe are also one of the largest in the South West State of Somalia, constituting the majority of the Yeed, Qansahdhere, Dinsoor districts.

The Hubeer and Yantar tribes are of Marehan origin and dominate the Dinsoor and Qansahdhere regions where they live with the unrahanweynized brothers the Yabar Husayn.

Between the 17th and 18th centuries, the Marehan were reported to have lived in an area that extended from the Bandar Siyada on the Gulf of Aden to beyond Ras el-Khail on the Indian Ocean, or much of northern Somalia.

[4] The clan are recorded as having played a significant role in Imam Ahmad ibn Ibrihim al-Ghazi's campaigns against Ethiopia during the 16th century.

During the Adal war there were 3 generals who were Ahmad ibn Ibrahim al-Ghazi, Garad Hirabu Goita Tedros and Sultan Muhammad.

Abu Bakr ibn Muhammad in revenge for the take over of the Adal Sultanate by the Abadir dynasty would attempt to stage a coup and kill the Imam, however he was halted by the Emir Garad Hirabu Goita Tedros.