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

Macis, 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 Macis surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Macis in America

Macis is the 86314th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Macis surname appeared 216 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 0 people would have the surname Macis.

We can also compare 2010 data for Macis 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 Macis

The surname MACIS has its origins in the Mediterranean island of Sicily, dating back to the 13th century. It is believed to have derived from the Latin word "macies," which means "leanness" or "thinness." This could suggest that the name was initially given as a descriptive nickname to someone who had a slender or lean physique.

During the Middle Ages, the use of surnames was not widespread, and people were often identified by their place of origin, occupation, or physical characteristics. The name MACIS may have been adopted by a Sicilian family or individual as a way to distinguish themselves from others in their community.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname MACIS can be found in a 14th-century document from the city of Palermo, where a merchant named Gian Battista MACIS is mentioned. This suggests that the name was already well-established in Sicily by that time.

In the 15th century, a notable figure bearing the MACIS surname was Andrea MACIS, a renowned architect who contributed to the construction of several churches and palaces in Palermo. His works showcased the intricate blend of Norman, Arabic, and Renaissance architectural styles that characterize many historical buildings in Sicily.

Another prominent individual with the MACIS surname was Pietro MACIS, a 16th-century Sicilian artist known for his exquisite paintings and frescoes. His works adorned numerous churches and noble residences in cities like Messina and Catania, reflecting the rich cultural heritage of the island.

In the 17th century, the MACIS family produced a renowned scholar and linguist, Vincenzo MACIS (1590-1662). He was a professor of Greek and Latin at the University of Palermo and published several influential works on classical literature and philology.

The surname MACIS also gained recognition in the 19th century with the writer and poet Giuseppe MACIS (1818-1892). Born in Palermo, he was celebrated for his lyrical works that captured the essence of Sicilian life and traditions.

Over the centuries, the MACIS surname has spread beyond Sicily, with descendants settling in other parts of Italy and even migrating to other countries. However, its roots can be traced back to the vibrant cultural tapestry of medieval Sicily, where it emerged as a distinctive marker of identity and heritage.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Macis

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

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 Macis 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 Macis 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 Macis was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

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