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

McMasters, 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 McMasters surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of McMasters in America

McMasters is the 10931st most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The McMasters surname appeared 2,912 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 1 people would have the surname McMasters.

We can also compare 2010 data for McMasters 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 McMasters

The surname McMasters is of Scottish origin, tracing its roots back to the Scottish Highlands in the medieval period. It is believed to have originated as a patronymic name, meaning "son of the master" or "son of the teacher." This suggests that the earliest bearers of this name may have been sons of respected educators or learned individuals.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Exchequer Rolls of Scotland from the 13th century, where a certain "John McMaster" is mentioned. This record provides evidence of the name's existence and usage during that era, adding historical credibility to its origins.

The name McMasters has also been associated with various place names across Scotland, such as the village of McMaster's Bridge in Lanarkshire. This connection to geographical locations further solidifies the name's deep-rooted Scottish heritage.

Throughout history, several notable individuals have carried the McMasters surname. One prominent figure was Sir James McMaster (1677-1744), a Scottish merchant and landowner who served as Lord Provost of Glasgow from 1718 to 1720. His legacy is preserved in the name of McMaster University, a prestigious institution located in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, which was named in his honor.

Another notable bearer of the name was William McMaster (1811-1887), a Canadian businessman and philanthropist who played a significant role in the establishment of McMaster University. His generous donations and support for education left a lasting impact on the institution and the surrounding community.

In the realm of literature, Guy McMaster (1876-1951), an English novelist and playwright, made significant contributions to the early 20th century literary scene. His works, including the novel "The Winged Victory" and the play "The Passionate Pilgrim," gained critical acclaim and showcased his remarkable storytelling abilities.

The McMasters surname has also been associated with military service and valor. One such example is Major General William McMasters (1924-2018), a highly decorated United States Army officer who served in World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War. His distinguished career and leadership earned him numerous accolades, including the Distinguished Service Cross and the Silver Star.

These examples illustrate the rich history and diverse backgrounds of individuals who have carried the McMasters surname throughout the centuries, further solidifying its place in the annals of Scottish and broader Western heritage.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name McMasters

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

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

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

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