Mason (surname)

Mason is an occupational surname of Scottish and English origin, with variations also found in Italian and French, historically referring to someone who performed stonemasonry work. The surname Mason was originally brought to England in the great wave of migration following the Norman Conquest of 1066. The name Mason is for a stone-mason. The name was originally derived from the Old English or Old French word masson.[1]

Scotland

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In Scotland, the surname Mason is most notably linked to the old French family name Saint-Clair. This developed into the Scottish Clan name Sinclair. From Sinclair, the family name diverged onto many Clan Septs including Mason, Masson, Lyall, Purdy Snoddy, Clyne [[2]

England

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Following the Norman Conquest in 1066, the surname Mason was found in various counties and shires throughout England but one of the oldest was found in Kent on the Isle of Thanet. One of the earliest records on the name was found in London c. 1130 when John Macun was listed there at that time.[1]

Italy

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In Italy The surname Mason was first found in Piedmont (Italian: Piemonte, Piedmontese and Occitan: Piemont) in the 13th century. Early records show the Masini family, decedents of a long line of counts, lived there. Members included Oddone, elected captain of the commune in 1284, and Oddonnino, governor of a town, Vercelli, in 1290.

Enormous variation of the Italian surname occurred in the medieval era. The modern day variations of Mason include Masella, Maselli, Masellis, Masetti, Masetto, Masi, Masiello, Masillo, Masin, Masina, Masini, Masino, Masiol, Maso, Masolini, Masolo, Mason, Masoni, Masotti, Masselli, Massetti, Massini, Masucci, Masuccio, Masulli, Masullo, Masutti, Masutto and many more.[3]

France

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The name Mason originated as an occupational surname from the French family name Saint-Clair. The Saint-clair name has notable links to the Norman Conquest of 1066 and William the Conqueror.[4]

People with the surname include

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A

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B

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C

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D

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E

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F

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G

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H

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I

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J

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K

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L

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M

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N

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O

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P

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R

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S

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T

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V

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W

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Z

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  • Z. Mason (born 1991), American basketball player
  • Zach Mason (born 1994), American soccer player
  • Zachary Mason (born 1974), American computer scientist

Fictional characters

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See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b "Mason Name Meaning, Family History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms". January 2000.
  2. ^ Black, George (1946). The surnames of Scotland; their origin, meaning, and history. Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2019. New York, The New York public library. pp. 585–586. ISBN 0871041723. Retrieved 21 April 2024.
  3. ^ "Mason Name Meaning, Family History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms". January 2000.
  4. ^ "England | the Sinclairs". 8 February 2019.