Find out how popular the last name Ma is in the United States and learn more about the meaning, history, and race and ethnic origin of people in America who are named Ma.

Ma, like all of the last names we have data for, is identified by the U.S. Census Bureau as a surname which has more than 100 occurrences in the United States in the Decennial Census survey. The most recent statistics we have for the Ma surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Ma in America

Ma is the 1240th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Ma surname appeared 28,452 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 10 people would have the surname Ma.

We can also compare 2010 data for Ma to data from the previous census in 2000. The table below contains all of the statistics for both years in a side-by-side comparison.

The history of the last name Ma

The surname "Ma" is believed to have originated in China, with its roots dating back several centuries. This monosyllabic name is thought to have derived from the Chinese word "马" (mǎ), which means "horse" in Mandarin Chinese. It is likely that the surname was initially associated with individuals who worked with horses or had a connection to equestrian activities.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname "Ma" can be found in historical records from the Tang Dynasty (618-907 AD). During this period, the name appeared in various imperial records and official documents, indicating its widespread use among certain families and clans.

In ancient China, surnames were often derived from characteristics, occupations, or geographical locations associated with the family's origins. The "Ma" surname may have originated from a place name related to horses or a region known for its equestrian traditions.

Over the centuries, the "Ma" surname has been associated with several notable figures in Chinese history. One of the most prominent individuals bearing this name was Ma Yuan (c. 1165-1225), a renowned Chinese painter and poet during the Southern Song Dynasty. His works, particularly his landscape paintings, are highly regarded and have left a lasting impact on Chinese art.

Another significant historical figure with the surname "Ma" was Ma Lin (1245-1328), a prominent scholar, poet, and calligrapher of the Yuan Dynasty. He was renowned for his literary works and his contributions to the development of Chinese calligraphy.

During the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), the "Ma" surname gained further prominence with Ma Zhi (1459-1528), a renowned military strategist and general who played a crucial role in suppressing several rebellions and defending the empire's borders.

In more recent history, Ma Ying-jeou (born 1950) is a notable figure who served as the President of Taiwan from 2008 to 2016. His tenure was marked by efforts to improve cross-strait relations with mainland China.

Throughout its long history, the surname "Ma" has been present in various regions of China, reflecting the mobility and dispersal of families over time. While its origins can be traced back to ancient times, the name continues to be widely used and recognized in modern Chinese society.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Ma

We also have some data on the ancestry of people with the surname Ma.

The below race categories are the modified race categories used in the Census Bureau's population estimates program. All people were categorized into six mutually exclusive racial and Hispanic origin groups:

1. White only
2. Black only
3. American Indian and Alaskan Native only
4. Asian and Pacific Islander only
5. Hispanic
6. Two or More Races

For the most recent 2010 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for Ma was:

Note: Any fields showing (S) means the data was suppressed for privacy so that the data does not in any way identify any specific individuals.

Since we have data from the previous census in 2000, we can also compare the values to see how the popularity of Ma has changed in the 10 years between the two census surveys.

Data source

The last name data and ethnic breakdown of last names is sourced directly from the Decennial Census survey, conducted every 10 years by the United States Census Bureau.

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

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

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