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

MacKus, 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 MacKus surname is from the 2000 census data.

Popularity of MacKus in America

MacKus is the 147095th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The MacKus surname appeared 103 times in the 2000 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 0 people would have the surname MacKus.

The history of the last name MacKus

The surname Mackus has its origins in Northern Europe, likely derived from the Lithuanian region or neighboring areas like Poland and Latvia. This surname has deep connections to the Baltic languages, particularly Lithuanian or Polish ancestry. The name itself is an adaptation of an older form, suggesting a link to historical naming conventions within these regions around the 14th to 16th centuries.

The name Mackus may have roots in the Lithuanian word "makas," which means hammer, indicating potentially an occupational origin linked to blacksmithing or metalworking. Variants of the name such as Mackaus and Mackius can be seen in older spellings. Given the common practice of using patronymics, Mackus could also signify "son or descendant of Mak" or a similar root name.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname Mackus dates back to the 15th century, found in parish records of Lithuanian nobility. The appearance of the name in ecclesiastical archives suggests that early bearers of the name had some standing within their communities.

Historical references show the family name Mackus in various legal documents in Lithuania and Poland during the 16th and 17th centuries. A notable figure is Jan Mackus, a minor Lithuanian nobleman born around 1600, who served as a local magistrate and was involved in regional politics. His existence is documented in estate records and local governmental correspondences.

In the 18th century, Mykolas Mackus, born in 1745, made a name for himself as a prominent landowner in what is now modern-day Lithuania. His name appears in several property and tax records, indicating his considerable involvement in agricultural developments in the area.

The surname Mackus also found its way into military history, with records indicating Lieutenant Augustinas Mackus serving in the Napoleonic Wars under the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. He was born in 1778 and distinguished himself in several battles before his death in 1815.

In the 19th century, Petras Mackus, born in 1824, was a well-known merchant and philanthropist in Lithuania. His business acumen and contributions to local education and charity made him a significant figure during his time, and his legacy continued through various endowments and foundations established in his name.

By the early 20th century, the evolution of the surname continued with Juozas Mackus, born in 1895, a notable writer and poet who contributed significantly to Lithuanian literature. His works and correspondence are well-documented, providing valuable insights into the cultural and literary movements of the time.

Collectively, these figures and historical records demonstrate the rich and varied history of the surname Mackus, showcasing its impact across different eras and domains, from nobility and military service to commerce and the arts.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name MacKus

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

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 2000 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for MacKus 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.

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

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

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