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

Makam, 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 Makam surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Makam in America

Makam is the 127494th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Makam surname appeared 134 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 Makam.

The history of the last name Makam

The surname MAKAM originated in the Middle East, specifically in the region of modern-day Syria and Lebanon. It dates back to the 7th century AD and is believed to be derived from the Arabic word "makam," which means "place" or "location." This suggests that the name may have been given to someone who lived in a particular place or was associated with a specific location.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname MAKAM can be found in a manuscript from the 9th century AD, which mentions a merchant named Ali ibn Makam who traded between Damascus and Baghdad. This indicates that the name was already in use during the Abbasid Caliphate period.

In the 11th century, a renowned Islamic scholar and poet known as Abu al-Hasan Ali al-Makam was born in Aleppo, Syria (1009-1057). His works, which include poetry and treatises on various subjects, have been widely studied and referenced throughout the centuries.

Another notable figure with the surname MAKAM was Salah al-Din al-Makam, a military commander who served under the famous Kurdish ruler Saladin during the Crusades in the 12th century. He is mentioned in several historical accounts for his bravery and strategic skills on the battlefield.

During the Ottoman Empire period, the MAKAM surname was also found in regions such as Anatolia (modern-day Turkey) and the Levant. One example is Mustafa Makam, a prominent Ottoman architect from the 16th century who designed several mosques and other structures in Istanbul and other cities.

In the 19th century, a Syrian scholar and writer named Ahmad al-Makam gained recognition for his works on Arabic literature and linguistics. He was born in Damascus in 1808 and passed away in 1873.

While the surname MAKAM is not as common today as it once was, it continues to be found among families of Middle Eastern descent, particularly in Syria, Lebanon, and other parts of the Levant region. The name serves as a reminder of the rich cultural and historical heritage of the region.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Makam

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

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

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

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