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

Makis, 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 Makis surname is from the 2000 census data.

Popularity of Makis in America

Makis is the 144908th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Makis surname appeared 105 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 Makis.

The history of the last name Makis

The surname Makis has its origins in Greece, with its earliest records dating back to the Byzantine era, around the 10th century. The name is primarily found in the regions of Macedonia and Thessaly. The etymology of Makis is somewhat debated, but it is generally believed to be derived from the Greek root "makis," which refers to "length" or "tallness," hinting at a lineage possibly characterized by tall stature. Another theory links the name to "Makarios," a Greek name meaning "blessed," which could have been shortened over time.

In historical documents, the surname Makis appears sparsely but is traceable in Byzantine records. One of the earliest mentions can be found in a 12th-century ecclesiastical document listing tax records, where a certain Georgios Makis is noted as a landowner in Thessaly. This record not only highlights the surname's presence but also emphasizes its association with agricultural society and landholding.

Moving forward to the 14th century, the name appears in Venetian records during their control over parts of Greece. A legal document from 1367 references Dimitrios Makis, a merchant engaged in the olive oil trade in the port city of Thessaloniki. These records underline the name’s establishment within the mercantile community during that period.

As we advance to the Ottoman era, another notable bearer is Ioannis Makis, a notable figure in the Greek War of Independence, born in 1778 and died in 1833. His exploits in battles against Ottoman forces are recorded in various historical accounts, establishing the name Makis as synonymous with the fight for Greek independence.

In the 19th century, the name appears in cultural records, with Petros Makis, born in 1835 and died in 1902, a scholar and translator of classical Greek texts. His contributions to the renaissance of Greek literature in the post-independence era solidify the significance of the name within intellectual circles.

Transitioning into the early 20th century, Nikolaos Makis, a politician born in 1879 and died in 1954, served in the Hellenic Parliament and was involved in shaping modern Greek political thought. His legacy includes efforts towards the modernization of Greece’s education system.

The surname Makis thus weaves a rich tapestry through Greek history, from Byzantine landowners and Venetian merchants to warriors, scholars, and politicians. Each notable bearer of the name reflects the diverse roles played by individuals within Greek society and underscores the enduring legacy of the surname Makis.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Makis

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

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

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

Reference this page

We spend a lot of resources downloading, cleaning, merging, and formatting the data that is shown on the site.

If you found the data or information on this page useful in your research, please use the tool below to properly cite or reference Name Census as the source. We appreciate your support!