Maben
A variant of the surname Mabin, originating from a Scottish place name.
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 1,097 Americans carry the last name Maben. That puts it at #26,261 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 0.32 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 312,447 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Maben surname. You will find the Census Bureau frequency data, an ancestry and ethnicity breakdown based on self-reported demographics, the name's meaning and origin where available, and answers to the most common questions people ask about this surname.
Bearers in the US
1.1K
1 in 312,447
Census rank
#26,261
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
0.3
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
930
rare in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 930 bearers of the surname Maben in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 0.32 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 26261st position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Maben, the largest self-reported group is White at 65.7%. The next largest groups are Black (26.0%) and Asian/Pacific Islander (3.2%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Maben
The surname Maben is of Scottish origin, believed to have originated in the Highlands region of Scotland during the 12th century. It is thought to be derived from the Gaelic word "maban," which means "little bald one" or "little tonsured one," suggesting that the name may have originally been a nickname given to a monk or someone with a tonsured head.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Maben can be found in the Ragman Rolls of 1296, a series of parchment rolls that documented the names of Scottish nobles and landowners who swore allegiance to King Edward I of England after his conquest of Scotland. The name appears as "Mabane," which is likely an early spelling variation.
During the 16th century, the name Maben was particularly prevalent in the Scottish counties of Argyll and Inverness, where it is believed to have originated. In the parish records of Kilmallie, Inverness-shire, there are several references to individuals with the surname Maben, including John Maben, who was recorded as a tenant farmer in 1596.
One notable individual with the surname Maben was Sir William Maben (1615-1682), a Scottish lawyer and judge who served as Lord Advocate of Scotland from 1677 to 1682. He was also a member of the Convention of Estates, which played a crucial role in the Glorious Revolution of 1688.
Another significant figure was Alexander Maben (1766-1842), a Scottish merchant and banker who co-founded the British Linen Bank in 1746. He was also involved in the establishment of the Royal Bank of Scotland and served as its first governor from 1727 to 1729.
In the 18th century, the name Maben was also found in parts of Ireland, particularly in County Antrim, where it is believed that some Scottish families with the surname had settled during the Plantation of Ulster in the early 17th century. One notable individual from this region was Robert Maben (1780-1857), an Irish-born merchant and shipowner who made his fortune in the West Indies trade.
Another notable figure was John Maben (1872-1946), a Scottish-born Australian politician who served as a member of the Australian House of Representatives from 1913 to 1922, representing the Labor Party.
While the surname Maben is relatively uncommon today, it continues to be found in various parts of the world, particularly in Scotland, Ireland, England, and Australia, where families with this surname have established roots over the centuries.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Maben
Among Census respondents with the surname Maben, the largest self-reported group is White at 65.7%. The next largest groups are Black (26.0%) and Asian/Pacific Islander (3.2%).
The bar chart below shows how Maben bearers described their own race and ethnicity on the 2010 Census form. The Census Bureau groups responses into six broad categories: White, Black or African American, Hispanic or Latino, Asian and Pacific Islander, American Indian and Alaska Native, and Two or More Races. When a category has too few respondents for a given surname, the Bureau suppresses the figure to protect individual privacy, which is why some names show fewer than six slices.
Keep in mind that these are self-reported numbers. A person's surname does not determine their race or ethnicity, and the distribution you see here reflects the specific population who happened to carry the Maben surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- White65.7%
- Black or African American26.0%
- Asian and Pacific Islander3.2%
- Hispanic or Latino2.5%
- Two or more races1.7%
- American Indian and Alaska Native0.9%
Year on year
2010 vs 2010 Census
How has the Maben surname changed between Census years? The chart shows bearer count side by side, and the table compares rank, count, and frequency.
Census year comparison
| Metric | 2010 | 2010 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #26,261 | #26,261 | 0.0% |
| Count | 930 | 930 | 0.0% |
| Per 100K | 0.32 | 0.32 | 0.0% |
Between the 2010 and 2010 Census, the number of Maben bearers went from 930 to 930 (+0.0% change). The surname held its position in the national ranking, going from #26,261 to #26,261.
Notable bearers
Famous people with the surname Maben
FAQ
Maben surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Maben?
The surname Maben holds position #26,261 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 1,097 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 0.32 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Maben surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Maben, the largest self-reported group is White at 65.7%. The next largest groups are Black (26.0%) and Asian/Pacific Islander (3.2%). These figures come from the 2010 Census Bureau surname tables, based on how respondents described their own race and ethnicity.
Where does this surname data come from?
All surname statistics on Name Census are drawn from the US Census Bureau's decennial surname frequency tables. These tables list every surname that appeared 100 or more times in the 2010 Census, along with a frequency rate and self-reported demographic breakdown. You can read the full explanation on our methodology page.