Find out how popular the first name Massey has been for the last 24 years (from 2000 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Massey by gender

Based on the last 24 years of data, Massey is more commonly used as a female name, with approximately 68% of people named Massey being female.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 5 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Massey.

The history of the first name Massey

The name Massey is of English origin and dates back to the Middle Ages. It is thought to be derived from the Old French word "massie," meaning a club or mace, and may have originally referred to someone who carried such a weapon or was a skilled fighter with a mace.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Massey can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, which was a comprehensive survey of land ownership and taxation in England commissioned by William the Conqueror. The name appears in various spellings, including "Masci" and "Massie," suggesting it was already established as a surname at that time.

In the 12th century, there are records of a Norman knight named Hamon Massey, who was granted lands in Cheshire, England, by the Earl of Chester. This established the Massey family as landowners in the region, and the name became closely associated with Cheshire over the centuries.

One notable historical figure with the name Massey was John Massey (c. 1653-1695), an English politician and soldier who served as a Member of Parliament and fought for King William III during the Glorious Revolution of 1688-1689.

Another prominent individual was William Massey (1856-1925), who served as the 19th Prime Minister of New Zealand from 1912 to 1925. He played a crucial role in leading the country through World War I and instituted various social reforms.

In the realm of literature, Gerald Massey (1828-1907) was an English poet, Egyptologist, and writer known for his works on ancient Egyptian mythology and his advocacy for social justice and women's rights.

Vincent Massey (1887-1967) was a Canadian diplomat, scholar, and Governor General of Canada from 1952 to 1959. He made significant contributions to the arts and education in Canada and played a key role in developing the country's distinctive cultural identity.

Finally, Ilana Massey (born 1985) is a contemporary Israeli-American fashion model, writer, and actress who has appeared in various television shows and films, as well as being an advocate for body positivity and self-acceptance.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Massey was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Massey, please contact us.

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