SURNAMES BEGINNING WITH "M"

[McAllister], [McAulay], [McCabe], [McCallum], [McCann], [McCardle], [McCarthy], [McConnell], [McCormick], [McGowan], [McGrath], [McIntyre], [McLeod], [McLoughlin], [McNab], [McPherson], [McTaggart], [McVicar], [Madden], [Maddocks], [Maguire], [Mahoney], [Major], [Mallbank], [Mallory], [Malone], [Mann], [March], [Mariner], [Marsden], [Marsh], [Marshall], [Martin], [Mason], [Masters], [Mates],  [Matthews], [Maxwell], [Mayer], [Meadows], [Mercer], [Mere], [Meredith], [Merrick], [Merrill], [Merry], [Michael], [Milburn], [Miles], [Millbank], [Miller], [Milner], [Milton], [Minster], [Mitchell], [Moloney], [Monk], [Montgomery], [Moore], [Moorhead], [Moran], [Morgan], [Morrison], [Moss], [Mul], [Mullen], [Mullins], [Murphy], [Murray]

Mc ALLISTER - The "Mc" or "Mac" prefix in most Gaelic surnames denotes the "son of" or "descendant of". In this case the name is thought to mean "son of Alistair" which itself is a derivation of the much more recognisable forename Alexander, meaning "defender of men" 

Mc AULAY - The modern name is thought to have its origins in the first name "Amhaighaidh", giving a literal meaning of "son of Amhaighaidh".

Mc CABE - The family name denotes the association with an individual called "Caba" whose name was derived from the word for "Cape"

Mc CALLUM - Thought to derive its foundation from the forename "Coluim" which is associated with the Christian Saint Columba.

Mc CANN - Derived from the early first name "Annadn" which was said to mean "storm"

Mc CARDLE - Thought to have derived from the forename "Ardghal" which meant "High Valour".

Mc CARTHY - The early first name "Carthaigh" which was said to mean "loving" is thought to be the root for the modern family name.

Mc CONNELL - In its Irish/Gaelic form, the modern name is said to originate from the early first name "Conall" which in part means "valiant". In its Scottish form the name is thought to have its early foundations in the forename "Domhnal" meaning "Earthly Ruler"

Mc CORMICK - This family name is said to originate from the forename "Cormac" which denoted a "Raven's son".

Mc DONALD - The early Gaelic name "Domhnall" is said to have meant "Earthly Ruler" and the modern day family name simply reflects the descendants of that early individual.

Mc GOWAN - One suggested source for this family name is from the Gaelic name Mac Gabhainn which is itself derived from "gabhann" the early word for a smith (ie Blacksmith, etc)

Mc GRATH - Generally associated with Ireland, the family name is thought to derive from the Gaelic name "Mac Graith" meaning "son of Grace"

Mc INTYRE - A typically Scottish surname which is thought to be derived from "Mac Ant Saoir" which means "son of a joiner".

Mc LEOD - The word "Leod" is thought to derive from the Norse word "Ljotr" describing someone who is unsightly or ugly and gives a literal meaning of "son of an ugly man"

Mc LOUGHLIN - The Irish variation of the modern family name is thought to have its roots in the early Gaelic forename "Lochlainn" which meant a "viking"

Mc NAB - The surname is thought to have originated from its early form of "son of an Abbot".

Mc PHERSON - The surname is thought to have originated from its early form of "son of a Parson".

Mc TAGGART - The surname is thought to have originated from its early form of "son of a Priest".

Mc VICAR - The surname is thought to have originated from its early form of "son of a Vicar".

MADDEN - Commonly associated with an Irish/Gaelic foundation, the name is said to derive from the forename "Madaidhin" which originated from the word for "Hound"

MADDOCKS - Thought to originate from the Welsh name "Madog" which has been widely used by early Welsh princes and noblemen. Variations include Madoc and Maddox, which is thought to derive from the Welsh/Celtic word for "generous" or "benefactor"

MAGUIRE - When originating from an Irish/Gaelic source, the modern name might derive from the name "Mag Uidhir" which indicated "brown or tan coloured".

MAHONEY - This typically Irish family name is said to derive from the Gaelic name "Mathuna" which was thought to mean "like a young bear".

MAJOR - A military rank

MALLBANK - Possibly originates from Wick Malbanc in Cheshire, which was held and named by the Norman forces of William the Conqueror, sometime after 1070. A variation of the surname may include the modern day Millbank.

MALLORY - Alternative spellings include MALORY, with both forms thought to have their root in the early French word "Maloret", which was thought to indicate someone who was unfortunate or unlucky and was a descriptive term attached to an individual.

MALONE - The family name is thought to have an association with a follower of Saint John

MANN - The word "Mann" is thought to represent the Old English for "man"

MARCH - One source suggests an origin from the Welsh/Celtic word meaning "horse"

MARINER - Generally associated with the sea, commonly an alternative name for a sailor or seaman. As with a number of other trades or occupations, the individual's job is likely to have attached itself to him and his immediate family.

MARKS - One of the 12 disciples of Christ and a name which would have become popular during the later Roman occupation of Britain or following the arrival of Christian missionaries during the 5th and 6th Centuries. A Marcus Antoninus was a recorded Roman Emperor.

MARSDEN - The modern surname may be a mixture of two early words, describing a particular place or location. The prefix "Mars" may derive from "Mersc" meaning a marsh or bog and the "Den" suffix may have evolved from the word "Dun" meaning hill.

MARSH - Generally thought to represent a topographical feature which became linked to an individual who lived there. The root of the modern name is thought to be the word "Mersc" meaning marsh or bog.

MARSHALL - As above, it has been suggested that the "Marsh" segment of the name related to a local feature ie waterlogged ground or a bog, which was derived from the early English word "Mersc". The second section "all" denoted a hall or building which was located there and which originated from the early word "Halle". Over time the location Marsh Hall had simply been contracted to its later form. An Abbot called Marshall was known to have held office at Chester's historic Norman Abbey from 1527 to 1529. Alternatively, the surname may have its roots in the Germanic word "Marah" which related to "horse" and ""Scalc" which meant "servant", giving a literal translation of a "horse servant or attendant" and was therefore an occupational name, rather than a geographic or locative one.

MARTIN - Although commonly a Christian first name, has become used as a family name through the typical practice of associating a son with his father ie Martins. A Saint called Martin was reported to have died around 444AD. The Irish/Gaelic name is "Mhairtin", which is yet another source for the modern family name.

MASON - A mason is generally associated with those individuals that work stone and Master Masons, such as Richard Lenginour and Master Walter of Hereford are associated with the construction of many of the medieval castles of the English monarch Edward I. Commonly these men are also called "engineers" suggesting that they both undertook construction works, which were way beyond simple building duties and probably included the design and architecture of these impregnable fortresses.

MASTERS - Generally associated with "Master" craftsmen within the early trades and Guilds, the word itself is thought to originate from the word "Maister", which itself comes from the Latin "Magister".

MATES - Possibly a contraction of the forename Matthew which has been changed to identify the son of an individual named "Matt" or "Mat"

MATTHEWS - A common Biblical name which would have arrived in Britain during the later Roman occupation or with the Christian missionaries of the in the 5th or 6th Centuries. The "S" suffix notes the son of an individual called Matthew.

MAXWELL - Typically Scottish name which is derived from "Maccus". The modern surname is thought to be derived from the association of the personal name Maccus and a water source or "weil" which have become inextricably linked and subsequently contracted over time.

MAYER - Thought to be the occupational title for a healer or physician which attached itself to those employed in the role and giving us the modern family name. Alternatively, the surname might originate from the early English word "Mair" which was said to identify a civic leader or "Mayor".

MEADOWS - Old English word for a type of land, generally associated with livestock and grazing and possibly an occupational name or geographical location which has attached itself to a man or his family.

MERCER - Reported to have existed as a trade during the early medieval period and said to have been primarily "cloth sellers" who were represented by influential civic guilds. The surname has an obvious link to both the English word "Merchant" and the continental "Mercados" presumably relating to "market" and was thought to have its root in the French word "Mercier"

MERE - Early name for a pond, pool or stretch of open water eg Ellesmere in Shropshire. The German word "Meer" is thought to denote "of the sea" and might be the origins for the later English version "mere" which is commonly used. Variations include Mears

MEREDITH - Possibly derived from the early Welsh name "Maredudd". The prefix "Mere" is thought to relate to "of the sea, whilst the suffix "udd" is thought to mean "Lord". An Anglo Saxon Bishop called "Merewhite" was reported to have died in 1033AD and it is possible that a corruption of that name is the origin of the later name. (Merewith - Meredith).

MERRICK - The family name is thought to derive from the first name Maurice and its most famous carrier was reputed to be the "Elephant Man" John Merrick. The name would seem to have some form of connection with the name MYRICK.

MERRILL - The modern family might well have its early origins in the female forename name "Muriel" which is itself derived from Celtic roots meaning "Bright Sea"

MERRY - Possibly originating from a descriptive term given to an individual within a community who was known to be of good humour and cheerful.

MICHAEL - Name of a Biblical saint which would have become popular following the arrival of the Christian church to Britain in the 5th and 6th Centuries.

MILBURN - The surname may suggest a family connection with a place that had a "Mill" which was located close to a Scottish "Burn" or stream and is a locative name, identifying a specific place which became attached to those that lived there.

MILES - Thought to originate from Germany and brought to Britain by members of Duke William's Norman forces in the 11th Century.

MILLBANK - Thought to be a regional variation of the historic Mallbank family in Cheshire who settled at Wick Malbanc in the northwest of England.

MILLER - Possibly one of the most historic professions and dating from mankind's first cultivation of cereal crops as a staple foodstuff. The ownership of water and wind driven grinding mills was a highly prized and influential position within early settlements and remained so for hundreds of years, until modernisation and mechanisation automated the process. Typically, local crop growers would have to bring their harvests to the local mills to be ground, a service for which they would be charged by the owners, who would normally be the local Earl, Lord or possibly the Crown. The modern name or title might well have its roots in the German word "Muller" meaning "Miller". 

MILNER - Possibly a variation and contraction of the trade name Milliner

MILTON - A family name which has its foundations in the words "Mill", a place where cereal crops were "milled" or "ground" into flour and "ton" a protected enclosure.

MINSTER - Commonly regarded as an alternative name for an Abbey, Cathedral or Religious centre. The family name may originate from an individual's association with such a building.

MITCHELL - Possibly a derivation of the forename Michael which has been altered over time

MOLONEY - When from an Irish source, the family name is said to stem from "Maolomhnaigh" a Gaelic word or name meaning or referring to "a servant of the church".

MONK - Another post or title which is directly associated with religion and service to God. However, the surname does not necessarily denote any direct association with the "priesthood" but might simply indicate a geographical origin for the carrier, ie someone who came from an area which had a monks house or monastery located there. A fairly famous variation of this was carried by the comedian Bob Monkhouse.

MONTGOMERY - Closely associated with a leading Norman family who came to Britain with the forces of William the Conqueror.

MOORE - Possibly derived from the Anglo Saxon word "Mor" which identified an area of open moor-land or grassland which became associated with individuals who lived there. During the period of the Crusades to the Holy Lands, the term "Moor" might have been used as a derogatory remark against someone who was not well thought of within their community. From an Irish/Gaelic source, the modern name is thought to derive from the word "Mordha" meaning "majestic"

MOOREHEAD - An Anglo Saxon surname "Myrehead" was recorded in 1003AD and is a possible origin for the later modern day name. An alternative spelling would include Moorhead.

MORAN - The early Celtic word and Gaelic forename "Mawr" and "Mordha" both mean great and are possible sources for this later family name. Equally, they might be possible sources for the much more common surname "Moore" which is shown above. The Irish/Gaelic surname is derived from the word "Morain" meaning "great".

MORGAN - It has been suggested that the name derives from the Welsh words "Mor" meaning "of the sea" (a variation of mere) and "Can" meaning "bright".

MORRISON - Possibly a corruption of "Maurice's son" which has become commonplace over time.

MORTIMER - Closely associated with a leading Norman family who came to Britain with the forces of William the Conqueror.

MOSS - Thought to simply denote a topographical feature which easily attached itself to a particular individual.

MUL - Thought to be derived from the Irish/Gaelic word "Maol" meaning bald and particularly identified with monks

MULLEN - Derived from the Irish/Gaelic forename "Maolain" which was said to identify a devotee or follower (possibly a monk or friar) of a particular Saint who would have had a "tonsure" or bald area on his head. Variants include Mullan, Mullins, etc.

MULLER - The German word for "Miller" which no doubt came to Britain with continental migrants or invaders and might be the foundation for our own much more anglicized version.

MULLINS - A variation of the family name Mullen.

MURPHY - An Irish/Gaelic family name which is said to be derived from the early first name "Murchadha" which meant "sea battler or warrior"

MURRAY - A link to the Scottish area of "Moray" has been suggested as a possible source for this family name. However, when associated with Irish/Gaelic origins the modern name is thought to derive from the forename "Muireadhaigh" which was said to mean "Lord" or "Master"

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