240 Marvelous Last Names That Start With M

Surnames starting with M bridge cultures and continents, appearing everywhere from the Scottish Highlands to the valleys of Spain. Whether it’s the patronymic “Mac” prefixes of the British Isles or occupational names like Miller, this letter heads some of the most common family names on Earth.

We have compiled an extensive list of M surnames to help you explore your genealogy or find the perfect character name. Here is a look at these names, their origins, and their meanings.

80 Popular Last Names Starting With M

Here are the most recognizable surnames starting with M found in phone books and historical registries.

1. Ma: Meaning “horse,” this Chinese name derives from Mafu, an ancient city in the Hebei province.
2. Mabon: This roots back to Maponos, the Celtic god of youth and son of the earth mother goddess.
3. MacAdam: A Scottish-Gaelic and Irish patronymic name translating to “son of Adam.”
4. Macaluso: An Italian-Sicilian nickname derived from the Arabic “makhlūs,” meaning “freed” or “liberated.”
5. MacCarthy: An Irish favorite meaning “son of the loving one,” associated with the MacCarthy clan in Munster.
6. MacCoy: This stems from the Irish Mac Aodha, meaning “son of Aodh,” the god of the underworld.
7. Macek: A Czech pet form of Matěj, which is one of several Slavic variations of Matthew.
8. Machado: Meaning “ax” or “hatchet,” this Portuguese occupational name dates back to the 2nd century.
9. Macina: Derived from the Italian “màcina,” or “millstone,” this is an occupational name for a miller.
10. Macneil: Often appearing as the Gaelic McNeill, this simply translates to “son of Neil.”
11. Macri: A plural version of “macro,” based on the Latin “macer,” meaning “lean” or “thin.”
12. Madden: This comes from the Irish “madra,” meaning “little dog,” or the Welsh name Madin.
13. Maddox: A Welsh patronymic surname meaning “son of Madoc,” implying the bearer is “fortunate.”
14. Maffeo: An Italian given name that originated as a medieval variation of Matteo.
15. Magee: A fiery combination of “Mag” (son of) and “aodh” (fire).
16. Maggio: Meaning “May” in Italian, this was traditionally given to someone born during that month.
17. Maguire: This stems from the Gaelic MacUidhir, meaning “son of the dark one.”
18. Mahoney: An Anglicized form of the Gaelic Ó’Mathghamhna, meaning “descendent of the good calf.”
19. Malloy: Meaning “noble chief,” this Irish name originated in County Offaly.
20. Malone: Based on the Irish Ó’Maoileoin, this describes a “servant or a disciple of Saint John.”
21. Manning: Derived from the Old Norse “manningi,” describing a “brave or valiant man.”
22. Marchese: Originally the Italian title “marchése,” this nickname applied to someone acting like a “marquis.”
23. Marek: A Polish variation of Mark based on the Latin Marcus, or a Czech nickname for Martin.
24. Mariani: Taken from the Italian Mariano, this identified someone from Mariano in Bergamo or Como.
25. Marino: Originally derived from the Latin Marinus, this name means “of the sea.”
26. Marquez: A Spanish patronymic meaning “son of Marcos,” originating in Castille.
27. Marseille: A habitational name for someone “from Marseille,” also popular as a Haitian nickname.
28. Marshall: Dating back to the 1066 Norman Conquest, this French occupational name describes a “farrier.”
29. Martin: This name honors Mars, the Roman god of fertility and war, via the Latin Martinus.
30. Martinelli: An Italian patronymic form of Marino, meaning “of the sea.”
31. Martinez: One of the most common Spanish names, meaning “son of Martin.”
32. Masaki: Meaning “correct tree,” this Japanese name appeared in the Fujiwara and Minamoto clans.
33. Massey: Taken from the Middle English Massy, this serves as a nickname for Matthew.
34. Mathieu: A French form of the Hebrew Matatyahu, meaning “gift of God.”
35. Matos: From the Spanish-Galician “mato,” meaning “brushwood scrub,” and a habitational name in Portugal.
36. Matthews: A patronymic surname meaning “son or descendant of Matthew” and “gift of God.”
37. Maxwell: Originally a place name in Roxburghshire, Scotland, meaning “Mack’s spring.”
38. McAfee: An Anglicized Gaelic name meaning “son of Duibhshíth,” or “black peace.”
39. McBride: A form of Mac Brighde, meaning “son of the servant of Saint Brigit.”
40. McCarthy: Originally Mac Cárthaigh in Irish, this means “son of the loving one.”
41. McClure: From the Gaelic MacGill Uidhir, meaning “son of the pale one” or “son of the cold one.”
42. McDonald: Taken from the Gaelic MacDomhnaill, meaning “son of the mighty ruler.”
43. McFarland: Based on the Gaelic Mac Pharlain, meaning “son of Parlan,” the Irish form of Bartholomew.
44. McKinney: The Anglicized form of the Gaelic Mac Coinnigh, meaning “son of Coinneach.”
45. McPherson: Appearing as the Gaelic Mac a’Phearsain, this translates to “son of the parson.”
46. Meadows: A topographic name for someone who “lived near a meadow,” from the Old English “mead.”
47. Medina: Based on the Arabic “madīnah,” meaning “city,” and influenced by Arab rule in Sicily.
48. Mehta: Derived from the Sanskrit “mahita,” meaning “great” or “praised” in Hindu and Sikh cultures.
49. Melendez: The American spelling of Menendez, a medieval Spanish form of Hermenegildo.
50. Mendel: A Yiddish form of the Hebrew Menachem, meaning “he who comforts.”
51. Messer: An occupational name combining the Old German “maz” (food) and “sahs” (knife).
52. Meyer: Taken from the German “mei(g)er,” describing a “manager” of a lord’s country estate.
53. Meža: A Slovenian nickname from “mežati,” meaning “to have one’s eyes half-closed.”
54. Michelin: A pet form of Michel, the French variation of Michael, meaning “who is like God?”
55. Mills: A topographic name for someone “living near a mill” or a descendant of Miles.
56. Miranda: A lovely Spanish surname meaning “worthy of admiration.”
57. Miroslaw: The Polish equivalent of Miroslav, combining “miro” (peace) and “sław” (glory).
58. Mitchell: A common form of Michael, meaning “one who is like God.”
59. Molina: A Spanish surname for a “miller,” derived from the Latin “mola.”
60. Monroe: Meaning “mouth of the River Roe,” this Gaelic name signifies a river in Northern Ireland.
61. Montoya: Originating in the Basque region of Spain, this means “hills and valleys.”
62. Moore: A short Gaelic surname meaning “bog,” “stately,” or “noble.”
63. Mora: Dating back to medieval Spain, this topographic name refers to a “blackberry.”
64. Morales: A Spanish topographical surname based on “moral,” meaning “mulberry tree.”
65. Moran: Meaning “descendant of Mórán,” combining the Gaelic “mor” (great) and “an” (the).
66. Morgan: Based on the Welsh Morcant, meaning “son or descendant of Morgan.”
67. Morris: Derived from Morres, describing someone “living on the Morre (moors).”
68. Morrison: A patronymic name meaning “the son of Morris,” based on the Norman Maurice.
69. Morrow: From the Gaelic Moireach, meaning “seafarer,” inspired by Moray in Scotland.
70. Morse: An Old English and Welsh surname meaning “son of Maurice.”
71. Moser: A German name for someone “living near a peat bog,” from “mōs.”
72. Moses: Associated with the Hebrew Moshe, meaning “conceived by a certain God.”
73. Mosley: This combines the Old English “mos” (peat bog) and “leah” (woodland clearing).
74. Moss: From the Old English “mos,” designating someone living “at a boggy place.”
75. Mullins: Derived from the Old French “molins,” meaning “mills.”
76. Mulrooney: Based on the Gaelic O’Maolruanaidh, meaning a “follower of Ruanaidh.”
77. Munoz: From the Basque “muinoa,” meaning “hill,” used in New Castile and Andalusia.
78. Murphy: An Anglicized variant of Ó Murchadha, meaning “descendent of the sea battle warrior.”
79. Murray: Meaning “descendant of Ó’Muireadhaigh,” associated with the Scottish area of Moray.
80. Myers: A German occupational name for a “steward or bailiff” of a town.

80 Common Last Names That Start With M

These surnames starting with M appear frequently across multiple cultures and languages.

1. Maas: A Dutch nickname for Thomas and a variation of short names starting with M.
2. Mabins: Related to the Welsh Mabon, this name refers to a “child.”
3. Macak: A Slovak patronymic form of Matej, their version of Matthew.
4. Macall: The Anglicized spelling of MacCathail, meaning “son of Cathal” (powerful in battle).
5. Mace: A Middle English nickname for Matthew or Thomas, derived from Masse.
6. Macedo: A Portuguese surname based on “macedo,” meaning “apple grove.”
7. Machala: A Czech-Slovak derivative of Mach, from “machać,” meaning “swing” or “sway.”
8. Mack: Derived from the Old Norse Makkr or the Gaelic prefix Mac (“son”).
9. Mackie: Based on the Gaelic MacAodha, meaning “son of Aodh” (fire).
10. Mackintosh: Originating with the Scottish Mac an Tòisich clan, meaning “son of the chief.”
11. Mador: Associated with the Breton Madoré, a nickname meaning “good help.”
12. Madrigal: A topographic name from Spain derived from “matricale,” meaning “river bed.”
13. Madsen: A Danish patronymic meaning “son of Mads” (Matthew).
14. Maeda: A Japanese name meaning “front rice paddy,” found mostly in Kyūshū.
15. Magana: A habitational name for someone “from Magaña” in Spain’s Soria or Córdoba regions.
16. Magnuson: A variation of the Scandinavian Magnússon, meaning “son of Magnus.”
17. Maher: Originally the Gaelic Ó Meachair, meaning “descendant of Meachar” (kindly/noble).
18. Mais: Taken from the Middle German “meiz,” meaning “cleared land.”
19. Mak: A Slavic occupational name for “someone who grew poppies,” from “mak” (poppy).
20. Maksimov: Based on the Russian first name Maksim; also spelled Maximov.
21. Maldonado: A Spanish nickname composed of “mal” (badly) and “donado” (given).
22. Mallory: Based on the Old French “maloret,” meaning “ill-fortuned” or “unlucky.”
23. Malouf: A nickname from the Arabic “maʿlūf,” meaning “fattened.”
24. Maltsberger: Taken from the German town of Maltsberg.
25. Mandić: A Serbo-Croatian surname originally derived from Mandalena.
26. Manfredi: An Italian plural of Manfredo, originally meaning “man of peace” in German.
27. Mangold: Originated as the Germanic Managwald, combining “manag” (much) and “wald” (rule).
28. Manson: An Anglicized variant of the Scandinavian Magnusson, meaning “son of Magnus.”
29. Manzo: From the Latin “mansus,” meaning “tame,” often an occupational name for an oxherd.
30. Marchenko: A Ukrainian patronymic name meaning “son of Marko.”
31. Marconi: An Italian plural form of Marcone, deriving from the Latin Marcus.
32. Marcum: A habitational name from Marcham in Oxfordshire and Nottinghamshire.
33. Marcus: Refers to Mars, the Roman god of war; also a popular personal name.
34. Markopoulos: A patronymic meaning “son of Marcus,” applied to the Greek name Markos.
35. Marlowe: An English surname meaning “from the hill by the lake.”
36. Maroun: Related to the Arabic Mārūn, named after a 4th-century Syrian monk.
37. Marquis: Meaning “nobleman” or “lord of the borderlands.”
38. Masters: Dates back to the Roman “magister,” describing a “person in charge.”
39. Mathis: A French and Flemish variation of Matthias, a form of Matthew.
40. Matias: Means “gift of God” in Hebrew, ranking among popular biblical M names.
41. Matić: Based on the Serbo-Croatian Matija and Matej, variations of Matthew.
42. McAllister: A Scottish form of the Gaelic Mac Alasdair, meaning “son of Alexander.”
43. McCourt: Originally the Gaelic MacCuairt, meaning “the son of a visitor.”
44. McDermott: An Anglicized variation of Mac Diarmada, meaning “son of Diarmaid.”
45. McEnroe: From the Gaelic Mac ConRubha, meaning “hound of the promontory.”
46. McKenzie: Based on the Gaelic MacCoinnich, meaning “son of Coinnich” (fair/handsome one).
47. McNamara: From the Gaelic Cú Mhara, combining “cú” (hound) and “muir” (sea).
48. Mead: An English surname for someone “living by a meadow,” from the Old English “mǣd.”
49. Medved: A Slavic word meaning “bear,” used as a nickname for a strong person.
50. Meier: A German occupational title for a “steward,” “bailiff,” or “tenant farmer.”
51. Meinberg: Originated as a place name in Westphalia, Germany, called Bad-Meinberg.
52. Melvin: Based on the Gaelic Ó Maoil Mhín, meaning “gentle chieftain.”
53. Mendenhall: From the Old English name Milda and “halh” (nook/corner of land).
54. Mendez: A Spanish name meaning “son or descendant of Mendel or Mendo.”
55. Menendez: Taken from Menendo, composed of “ermen” (whole) and “gild” (tribute).
56. Mercado: Spanish for “market,” given to traders or those living near a plaza.
57. Merchant: An Old French occupational name for a “trader.”
58. Merritt: Meaning “boundary gate” in Old English; a variation of Marriott.
59. Metzger: A German occupational name for a “butcher.”
60. Middleton: Comes from the Old English “midel” (middle) and “tūn” (enclosure settlement).
61. Milić: A Serbo-Croatian name using the Slavic root “mil,” meaning “dear.”
62. Mishra: An Indian surname derived from the Sanskrit “mišra,” meaning “mixed manifold.”
63. Monaghan: An Anglicized form of O’Manacháin, meaning “descendant of the monk.”
64. Monk: Based on the Middle English “monkes,” meaning someone living at the monk’s quarters.
65. Montalvo: Inspired by Spanish place names, from the Latin “montem albus” (white mountain).
66. Monte: A topographic name for someone “living on or near a mountain.”
67. Montgomery: Based on French place names like Sainte-Foy-de-Montgomery.
68. Morcos: An Arabic-Egyptian form of Mark used by Coptic Christians.
69. Moreau: A French nickname for a “dark-skinned” person, from the Old French “more.”
70. Moriarty: An Anglicized variation of Ó Muircheartaigh, meaning “navigator.”
71. Morton: Combines the Old English “mōr” (moor) and “tūn” (farmstead).
72. Mosqueda: A Spanish nickname using the root “mosca,” meaning “fly.”
73. Moua: Named after the Moua clan of the Hmong people in Laos, China, and Vietnam.
74. Moyer: A French name for a “sharecropper,” from the Old French “moie” (half).
75. Mueller: The German spelling of “miller”; the fifth most common surname in Austria.
76. Mughrabi: Associated with the Arabic “maghreb” (west), referring to North Africa.
77. Muir: A Scottish topographic name for someone “living beside a moor.”
78. Muniz: A Spanish patronymic meaning “Muno’s son” or “son of Mummius.”
79. Munson: A patronymic form of the Danish Monsen, meaning “son of Mund.”
80. Murdoch: Combines the Gaelic “mur” (sea) and “murchadh” (sea warrior).

80 Rare Surnames Starting With M

For something distinct, check out these unique and uncommon M surnames.

1. Mabuchi: A Japanese name with various meanings, including “abyss,” “deep pool,” or “horse.”
2. MacAmhalghaidh: The Gaelic inspiration for McCaulley, appearing in Scotland and Ireland.
3. Maes: A Welsh surname for someone “living in or near a field” (pronounced MIZE).
4. Magalhães: A Portuguese-Galician surname based on various places in Spain.
5. Magdy: Meaning “glorious” in Arabic; also appears as Magdi in Egypt.
6. Mahar: An Irish variation of Maher (noble) or an Arabic term for “expert.”
7. Mahmoud: Derived from the Arabic “maḥmūd,” meaning “praiseworthy.”
8. Maine: From the Old French “maine,” meaning “dwelling” or “residence.”
9. Makowski: Based on Polish locations called Maków, from the root “mak” (poppy).
10. Manjarrez: A Spanish topographical surname based on the village of Manjarrés.
11. Manumalegua: Meaning “bird of paradise,” notably borne by American football player Frank Toto’a Manumaleuna.
12. Manzanares: Meaning “apple orchard,” inspired by the Spanish city of Manzanares.
13. Marangoz: A Turkish occupational surname given to a “joiner” or “carpenter.”
14. Marchand: A French occupational name for a “merchant,” from the Old French “march(e)ant.”
15. Marmo: From the Italian “marmo” (marble), given to a quarryman.
16. Marmolejo: A habitational name from a town in Jaén, Spain, derived from “mármol” (marble).
17. Marquardt: From the Old German “marka” (border) and “wart” (protector).
18. Marrero: A Spanish occupational name for a “stone breaker,” from “marra” (hammer).
19. Marron: A form of the Irish Monaghan and Gaelic Ó Mearáin.
20. Mascorro: A Basque surname originating in the area between Spain and Italy.
21. Masih: Means “messiah” in Arabic, or “anointed one” in Hebrew.
22. Massengill: Originally Masongill, from the Old Norse “meisingr” (titmouse) and “gil” (ravine).
23. Mateev: Comes from the Hebrew “mattathiah,” meaning “gift of the Lord.”
24. Matevosyan: Based on Matevos, the Armenian variation of Matthew.
25. Matsumoto: A Japanese habitational name meaning “place of the (divine) pine tree.”
26. Matsuoka: A Japanese surname meaning “pine tree hill.”
27. Mazzola: A Southern Italian diminutive of Mazza, an occupational name for a toolmaker.
28. McAlpin: An Anglicized spelling of the Gaelic MacAilpein, from “alp” (lump).
29. McElrath: Derived from the Gaelic Mac Gille Riabhaigh, meaning “son of the brindled lad.”
30. Meaux: A French surname derived from the Gaulish Meldi tribe.
31. Medeiros: A Portuguese topographic name from “meda,” meaning “shock” (stacks of grain).
32. Meeuwissen: A Dutch and Flemish patronymic from a short form of Bartholemew.
33. Megalos: A rare form of Greek surnames meaning “big.”
34. Meissner: Means “someone from Meissen” in Germany, dating back to the 10th century.
35. Mejia: A variant of the Spanish name Matías, equivalent to Matthew.
36. Melanson: A Breton nickname from the French “mélasson,” meaning “clumsy.”
37. Mellor: Originally Melver (an English place name) or “bare hill” in Welsh.
38. Mencher: A Jewish occupational name for a “flour dealer.”
39. Meng: A Chinese name meaning “eldest among brothers and sisters born of a concubine.”
40. Mensah: A Ghanaian name used to describe a “third-born son.”
41. Merckx: Taken from the given name Merk, a Dutch form of Mark.
42. Metaxas: A Greek occupational name for a “silk merchant.”
43. Metcalfe: An Old English nickname based on “mete-calf” (fattened up calf).
44. Michalak: A Polish patronymic meaning “son of Michał” (Michael).
45. Miele: Means “honey” in French and Italian; also a German town in Saxony.
46. Mifsud: A Maltese surname from the Arabic “mifṣad,” meaning “lancet.”
47. Mijares: Inspired by Spanish place names in Ávila, from “mijar” (millet field).
48. Mikell: From the Hebrew version of Michael, meaning “who is like God?”
49. Mikesell: The Anglicized variation of the German Meixell (Michael).
50. Mikhail: The Arabic form of Michael, used mainly by Christians.
51. Mishra: From the Sanskrit “mišra,” meaning “mixed manifold” or honorific title.
52. Moctezuma: A spelling of Montezuma, inspired by the last Aztec ruler.
53. Moen: From the Old Norse “mór” (heath), used for various farmsteads in Norway.
54. Moffat: A habitational name from Moffat in Dumfriesshire, meaning “the long plain.”
55. Moghadam: A Persian surname from “muqaddam,” a rank or occupational title.
56. Mollown: Originally the Gaelic O’Maoileoin, meaning “devoted to St. John.”
57. Montalbano: A Sicilian place name inspired by Mont Blanc.
58. Montano: Derived from the Italian “montano” (mountain).
59. Monteith: Combines the Gaelic “monadh” (hill pasture) and the River Teith.
60. Montenegro: A habitational name from Spain, Portugal, and Italy meaning “black mountain.”
61. Montserrat: Meaning “jagged mountain” in Catalan, referring to a mountain near Barcelona.
62. Moon: Meaning “full” and “complete” in Cantonese, or the Irish form of Mohan.
63. Moose: An Anglicized form of the German Moos or a Native American-Dakota word.
64. Morais: A Portuguese variation of Moraes, for someone living “among mulberry trees.”
65. Moranville: Associated with the French Morand and the Latin “villa” (estate).
66. Moravec: A Czech and Slovak surname for someone “from Morava.”
67. Morishita: A Japanese topographic name meaning “one who lives below the forest.”
68. Morrissette: A French surname based on Mauritius, meaning “eastern.”
69. Mottershead: Combines the Old English “mōtere” (speaker) and “hēafod” (top of a hill).
70. Mousavi: A Persian name from the Arabic “mūsawī,” meaning “descendent of Musa.”
71. Mouser: A Middle English nickname for the “mouse ear hawkweed” plant.
72. Mulrennan: From the Gaelic O’Maoilriain, a “descendent of the worshiper of Rian.”
73. Mulvihill: Based on the Gaelic Maoil Mhichil, meaning “servant of St. Michael.”
74. Mumford: Derived from the Old French “mont” (hill) and “fort.”
75. Mundt: A German nickname for a “guardian” or “trustworthy person.”
76. Murgatroyd: Combines the Middle English Mergret and “rode” (clearing).
77. Musgrave: Based on locales in Northern England called Great Musgrave and Little Musgrave.
78. Mustafa: Taken from the Arabic “muṣṭafā,” meaning “chosen” or “pure.”
79. Myrick: Originally a Latin boy’s name meaning “dark-skinned” or “Moorish.”
80. Myška: A Czech nickname from “myš,” meaning “mouse.”

What Is The Most Common Last Name Starting With M?

In the United States, Martinez is the most common surname starting with M, followed closely by Miller, Martin, and Moore. Globally, names like Ma (Chinese) and Mohamed (Arabic) are incredibly populous.

Why Do So Many Last Names Start With Mc Or Mac?

The prefixes “Mac” and “Mc” are of Gaelic origin, meaning “son of.” They are prevalent in Scottish and Irish surnames to denote patronymic lineage, such as MacDonald (son of Donald).

What Is The Oldest M Surname?

It is difficult to pinpoint the exact “oldest” name, but names rooted in ancient mythology, such as Mars (the root of Martin and Marcus), date back to Roman times. Similarly, Chinese names like Ma have existed for thousands of years.