Marshallese derive their name from British Captain William Marshall, who explored and founded the Marshall Islands with Captain Thomas Gilbert in 1788. The atolls were not a cohesive entity until Europeans named and mapped them.

Marshallese began migrating to the United States during the late 70s. They predominantly reside in Arkansas, just northwest of of the Little Rock-North Little Rock, AR Metro Area.

The core of traditional Marshallese is derived from one's mother. Marshallese value family and are members of large extended kin groups. As a result, their position as a member extend beyond geographical boundaries.

Moreover, these identity groups value one's position in a religious organization, a Christmas–time song-fest group, handicrafts, or even traditional Marshallese dance.

A large majority of Marshallese are Protestant Christians.