It is named after Claude Martin, the eighteenth-century French adventurer and philanthropist, who served both the East India Company and the Nawab Asaf-Ud-Dowlah of Oudh.

The village was originally inhabited by the staff of Claude Martin and it provided labour and other services to the La Martiniere School.

The gentlemen was apparently so impressed by their game that he asked some of the older children to follow him to the golf club and work as caddies, a tradition which has continued ever since.

[3] Nearly 60 villagers of Martin Purwa make their living from golf, and the local boys continue to work at the club as caddies.

[3] The Lucknow Golf Club acknowledged Martin Purwa's contribution to the game by opening up a school for the village children in 1998.