Mason (surname)

Mason is an occupational surname of Scottish and English origin, with variations also found in Italian and French, generally referring to someone who performed stonemasonry work.[1]

Origins

In Scotland, the surname is associated with the French origins of Clan Sinclair dating back to the mid-1100s. Mason is a recognised sept of the surname Sinclair.[2]

In England, the surname is believed to have originated in Kent on the Isle of Thanet, having been brought to the country in 1066 during the Norman Invasion. One of the earliest records on the name was found in London c. 1130 when John Macun was listed there at that time.[3]

In France, The derivation is from the pre 8th century Old French word "masson", probably introduced into England by the Norman-French after the conquest of 1066. Indeed before that time few places in Britain were built in stone, so the French largely introduced both the word and the skill.[4]

In Italy, it derives from the given name "Maso", which is the short form of the personal name "Tommaso". The name "Tommaso", or "Thomas", is itself derived from the Aramaic toma ("twin").[5][6]

Italian variants of the surname include Masella, Maselli, Masellis, Masetti, Masetto, Masi, Masiello, Masillo, Masin, Masina, Masini, Masino, Masiol, Maso, Masolini, Masolo, Masoni, Masotti, Masselli, Massetti, Massini, Masucci, Masuccio, Masulli, Masullo, Masutti, Masutto, and several others.[6]

Motto

The Mason motto in Latin is Dum spiro spero (While I have breath I have hope.)[7]

People with the surname

A

B

C

D

E

F

G

H

I

  • Ian J. Mason (late 20th c.), Australian ornithologist and taxonomist

J

K

L

M

N

O

P

R

S

T

V

W

See also

References

  1. "Mason Surname Origins". ancestry.co.uk.
  2. "Clan Sinclair". Heraldry.celticradio.net.
  3. "History of Mason Surname in England". houseofnames.com.
  4. "French Origins of Mason Surname". surnamedb.com.
  5. "Mason Surname Meaning and Distribution". forebears.co.uk. Retrieved 21 January 2014
  6. "Mason Name Meaning, Family History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms". HouseOfNames.
  7. "Mason motto". houseofnames.com.
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