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

Macon, 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 Macon surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Macon in America

Macon is the 5013th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Macon surname appeared 7,008 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 2 people would have the surname Macon.

We can also compare 2010 data for Macon 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 Macon

The surname Macon originated in France during the Middle Ages, deriving from the Old French word "macon" which meant "mason" or "bricklayer". This occupational surname was initially given to those who worked as masons, building structures such as houses, castles, and churches.

The earliest known recorded use of the surname Macon can be traced back to the 12th century in the region of Burgundy, France. Historical records from this era mention individuals with the name Macon, suggesting the surname's established presence in the area.

As the name Macon spread across France, it evolved into various spellings, including Masson, Massonne, and Massion. These variations were often influenced by regional dialects and the preferences of local record-keepers.

In the 13th century, the name Macon appeared in the Domesday Book, a comprehensive survey of landowners and properties in England commissioned by William the Conqueror. This indicates that individuals bearing the surname had likely migrated from France to England during the Norman Conquest.

One notable figure bearing the surname Macon was Jean Macon, a renowned French architect born in 1515. He was responsible for designing several notable buildings, including the Château d'Anet and the Château de Vallery. His contributions to French Renaissance architecture solidified the Macon name in the annals of history.

Another individual of historical significance was Guillaume Macon, a French playwright and poet born in 1570. His works, which included plays and poetry collections, were celebrated during the French Renaissance period.

In the 18th century, Jacques Macon, born in 1720, gained recognition as a prominent French merchant and trader. His commercial endeavors extended across Europe, contributing to the economic development of the time.

The name Macon also found its way to various place names, such as the city of Mâcon in Burgundy, France. This city, known for its wine production, likely derived its name from the occupational surname, indicating a historical connection between the name and the region.

Lastly, Robert Macon, born in 1795, was a notable American politician and statesman from North Carolina. He served in the United States House of Representatives and played a significant role in shaping policies during the early years of the American republic.

These examples illustrate the rich history and geographic spread of the surname Macon, originating from its humble occupational beginnings in medieval France and eventually leaving its mark on various aspects of society across different eras and regions.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Macon

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

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

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

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