100 Last Names That Start With M With Meanings And History
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In all probability, the use of surnames started when it was difficult to identify a person by using the first name alone.
From family occupations to ownership, place, and faith, last names have originated from various different factors. Having been chosen centuries ago, the last name is passed on from one generation to the next and can define the identity of a family.
Basically, surnames vary a lot depending on the culture and geography. So in this article, we will focus on the surnames beginning with the letter M from various regions around the world. This letter is associated with a lot of last names, some of which are common, while the others are unique.
For more top last names ideas, why not take a look at Last Names That Start With D and Last Names That Start With Y to help you in your search?
The Most Common American Last Names That Start With M
One of the most common surnames beginning with the letter M is Miller. We will also take a look at the background of some of the other surnames starting with M.
1.Mabel, (Anglo-Saxon origin) It originates from the Latin word Amablis.
2.Mabins, ( English origin) Derived from the Welsh name Mabon, meaning a "child".
3.Mabone, ( Scottish origin) Derived from the ancient Celtic term "Maponos", which means "a great son".
4.MacAdam, (English and Scottish origin) It means "the son of Adam".
5.Macall, (Scottish origin) The word means "the son of the battle chief".
6.MacCarthy, (Irish origin) Originates from Gaelic Irish clans and it means "son of Cárthach."
7.MacGowan, (European origin) It is the anglicized version of Gaelic personal name.
8.Macias, ( Spanish origin) The term actually means "the messiah."
9.Mackay, (Scottish origin) It originated from the Pictish clans of ancient Scotland.
10.Mackel, ( Scottish origin) It comes from the Scottish term "Meikill," which means "large".
11.MacNeil, ( European origin) Derived from the personal name Niall, that means "a champion".
12.Madden, ( European origin) The term usually means "descendant of little Matthew" or "gift of Jehovah".
13.Maddison, (English origin) It is derived from the name Mathieson, which means "son of Matthew".
14.Malcolm, (European origin) It is the anglicized form of the Old Gaelic term "Mael Coluimb".
15.Marshall, (English and Scottish origin) A medieval surname that was used to denote a man who looked after horses.
16.Martin, (European origin) It is derived from the famous saint, Martin of Tours, who lived in the fourth century.
17.Mcdonald, (Scottish origin) It is the anglicized format of Gaelic Mac Dhomhnuill.
18.Meyer, (German and Dutch origin) It was originally used to denote the headman of a village.
19.Miller, (English or Irish origin) It originated from the occupation of a miller.
20.Mitchell, (European origin) It is derived from the French name Michel, which is a vernacular form of Michael.
21.Morgan, (European origin) It can be associated with the Welsh personal name Morcant.
22.Moore, (European origin) The word usually refers to "moor", which is an "area of uncultivated land".
23.Morris, (English and Scottish origin) This was the name of an early Christian saint.
24.Murphy, (European origin) It is derived from an important family name and means "descendant of Murchadh".
25.Myers, (English origin) It originated from the "son of the mayor".
Common Italian Surnames Starting With M
Let us now take a look at some of the most popular M surnames in Italy.
26.Macaluso, Its origin has been traced back to the MacAluso family.
27.Macri, (Greek origin) adjective "makròs" that was used to denote a very large person.
28.Maffeo, This last name is a variation of the first name Matteo.
29.Maggio, It indicates someone who was born in the month of May.
30.Maineri, (German origin) This last name is derived from the first name Mainerius.
31.Maiorani, This last name has been linked to Marogani, a French family that came to Italy in the 16th century.
32.Mambella, The name combines two letters "mano" and "bella," which means "beautiful hand".
33.Mammarella, This is among the many last names derived from the word "mamma" or "mother".
34.Mancini, This one of the popular last names starting with M and indicates a left-handed person.
35.Manes, (Albanian origin) surname that means "Manesh."
36.Manfredi, (German origin) It is derived from the first name Manfredo.
37.Manzi, (Latin origin) This surname comes from the Latin first name "Mantius."
38.Malandra, It is derived from the term "malandrino" which means "vivacious person".
39.Malatesta, It combines two words "mala" and "testa" to indicate a person of bad character.
40.Mattani, It is derived from the word "matta" which means a "flock" or a "herd".
41.Marchese, It comes from the medieval term "Marchese" or "Marquis".
42.Marfisi, It originates from the first name Marfisa.
43.Mariani, This last name comes from Mariano, which is based on the Latin nickname "Marianus."
44.Mariotti, It comes from the first name Mario, which is based on the Etruscan term "maru."
45.Marrone, It comes from the word "marrone", meaning the "guide of mountains."
46.Marrucini, This surname is based on the name of a pre-Roman tribe that lived around the Chieti area.
47.Martinelli, Originates from the first name Martino.
48.Martone, (Greek origin) It is assumed to be derived from the Greek word "murton."
49.Marziani, (Latin origin) It originates from the Latin first name "Martius."
50.Masci, It comes from the nickname "Mastro," which means a " very good craftsman."
51.Maselli, This surname comes from the first name Maso.
52.Massarini, It comes from the term "massaro," which indicates an owner of lands.
53.Massimini, (Latin origin) This surname is linked to the first name Massimo which originates from the Latin term "Maximus."
54.Matani, (Latin origin) It comes from the Latin root word "mat", which means "a high place."
55.Meo, It is assumed as a derivation from Bartolomeo.
56.Morgante, This surname is based on the character of Morgante, a giant in Luigi Pulci's novel.
57.Morrone, It is linked to the town of Morrone del Sannio located in the province of Campobasso.
58.Mucci, Derived from the name "Muccio."
59.Murzilli, It is linked to the term "mursiellu" which means "breakfast of farmers."
60.Muzzio, (Latin origin) This last name comes from the Latin first name "Mutius" or "Mucius."
Popular Irish Last Names That Start With M
Some of the most exciting last names are those of Irish origin. Here we have listed a few of the popular surnames beginning with M from that part of the world.
61.MacBride, (Gaelic origin) It is derived from the Gaelic term Mac Brighde.
62.MacCance, This is among the surnames linked to the ancient Dalriadan clans of Scotland.
63.MacCarthy, (Gaelic origin) It is based on a Gaelic Irish clan that ruled during the middle ages.
64.MacCleary, (Gaelic origin) It originates from the Gaelic term Mac Cléirigh which means "son of the priest."
65.MacCoshin, This is one of the many surnames linked with the McCosham family.
66.MacCoulie, It originates from Maccoulie and the term "Mac" means "son."
67.MacCoy, A mixture of Irish, Scottish, and Manxterms and also linked to a Celtic pagan god.
68.MacCrae, Originated in the middle ages and means "son of grace."
69.MacGuire, (Gaelic origin) means "pale color."
70.Mahony, This surname originates from the name Mathghamhan, the son of a tenth-century prince.
71.Molloy, (Irish origin) term Maolmhudaidh means “noble chief.”
72.Malone, (Irish origin) term Maoileoin means “servant of St. John.”
73.McCosham, It is related to the McCosham family.
74.Monaghan, A popular choice among last names starting with M, it is derived from the term Manacháin which means “monk.”
75.Mooney, Comes from the term Maonaigh and means “wealthy” or "someone who is unable to speak.”
76. Moriarty, Based on an Irish term that means “expert navigator.”
77. Morrissey, This surname is an Americanized form of Ó Muirgheasa, which means "descendant of Muirgheas".
78. Mulcahy, This last name starting with M means “battle leader.”
79. Mulhall, This surname indicates the descendant of a follower of St. Cathal.
80. Mulrooney, The last name that indicates the descendant of the follower of Ruan, a Christian holy man.
Most Interesting Last Names Starting With M
After looking through a few regions, let us take a look at some of the most attractive M last names from around the world.
81. Mabee, (English origin) is one of the common surnames starting with M and meaning "loveable".
82. Maben, (Welsh origin) is one of the M last names meaning "child".
83. Macari, (Arabic origin) is one of the common surnames starting with M and meaning "name of Algerian city".
84. Maccarone, (Italian origin) is one of the common surnames starting with M and meaning "lump".
85. Mace, (Polish origin) is one of the common last names that start with M and meaning "Sean of bitterness".
86. Macedo, (Portuguese origin) is one of the common last names starting with M and means "apple grove".
87. Mackie, (Scottish origin) is one of the common last names that start with M and meaning "fire".
88. Machin, (Scottish origin)is one of the common last names that start with M and means "iron thing".
89. Machart, (Dutch origin) is one of the common last names that start with M and means "strong".
90. Mackintosh, (Scottish Origin) is one of the common last names that start with M and means "son of a leader".
91. Machuga, (German origin)is one of the common last names that start with M and means "club".
92. Macina, (Italian origin)is one of the common last names that start with M and means "pet".
93. Marco, (Latin origin) is a surname beginning with the letter M means "God of war".
94. Mcbeth, (Scottish origin) meaning "son of life".
95. McBride, (Gaelic origin) means "son of servant of brigid".
96. McEwen, (Gaelic origin) is one of the last names starting with M and meaning "son of Eogan".
97. McPhail, (Scottish origin) is a surname beginning with the letter M Derived from a personal name "Paul".
98. Molcolm, (Gaelic Origin) Meaning "disciple of St. Columba".
99. Mullen, (Irish origin) is a surname beginning with the letter M meaning "someone living in a mill".
100. Murray, (Scottish Origin) is one of the common last names that start with M and means "sea settlement".
Kidadl has lots of great names articles to inspire you. If you liked our suggestions for Last Names That Start With M then why not take a look at Croatian Last Names, or for something different take a look at Gothic Last Names.
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Bachelor of Arts specializing in French with Film Studies, Bachelor of Arts (Year Abroad) specializing in Literature, History, Language, Media, and Art
Georgia StoneBachelor of Arts specializing in French with Film Studies, Bachelor of Arts (Year Abroad) specializing in Literature, History, Language, Media, and Art
Georgia is an experienced Content Manager with a degree in French and Film Studies from King's College London and Bachelors degree from Université Paris-Sorbonne. Her passion for exploring the world and experiencing different cultures was sparked during her childhood in Switzerland and her year abroad in Paris. In her spare time, Georgia enjoys using London's excellent travel connections to explore further afield.
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