Last Names Starting With M: List of Common Surnames

Looking for last names starting with M? This list contains some of the most common surnames with the letter "M" that have been passed down through generations. These names often hold deep historical and cultural significance, representing families and lineages spanning centuries. Explore the rich tapestry of these last names below to discover their origins and meanings.
1. **Miller**: Derived from the Old English word "mylnere," meaning "miller," this surname reflects the profession of those who worked in grain mills. It signifies a connection to the agricultural past and the essential role of milling in society.
2. **Moore**: This surname is of English origin, originating from the Old English word "mor," meaning "moor," a large area of open wasteland. It signifies a connection to the natural environment, particularly to boggy, marshy areas.
3. **Martin**: Derived from the Roman god of war, Mars, this surname signifies strength, courage, and leadership. It reflects a connection to ancient Roman mythology and the qualities associated with the god of war.
4. **Mitchell**: Of Scottish origin, this surname originated from "Mac Mhic Ail," meaning "son of the son of Neil." This surname denotes a close connection to the Gaelic language and reflects the prevalence of patronymics in Scottish naming practices.
5. **Murphy**: This surname is of Irish origin, derived from the Gaelic word "Murchadh," meaning "sea warrior" or "brave man." It signifies a connection to the maritime heritage of Ireland and reflects a culture of strength and valor.
6. **Martinez**: A popular surname in Spanish-speaking regions, Martinez comes from the Christian name Martin. It is a common patronymic surname, indicating a descendant of someone named Martin.
7. **Morgan**: Of Welsh origin, this surname is derived from "Mor-gan," meaning "sea-born" or "sea-circle." It signifies a connection to the Welsh language and reflects the country's maritime heritage.
8. **May**: This surname is of English origin, originating from the Old English word "mæg," meaning "kinsman" or "relation." It indicates a connection to a specific family or lineage and signifies a sense of kinship.
9. **Mendoza**: A surname with a rich history, Mendoza originates from the city of Mendoza in Spain. It reflects a connection to a specific geographic location and the historical significance of this city.
10. **McDonald**: This surname is of Scottish origin, derived from "Mac Dhomhnaill," meaning "son of Donald." This surname signifies a close connection to Gaelic naming traditions and the prevalence of patronymics in Scottish culture.
11. **McCarthy**: Of Irish origin, this surname comes from the Gaelic word "Mac Cárthaigh," meaning "son of Carthaigh." This surname denotes a close connection to Irish history and reflects the cultural significance of the Carthaigh clan.
12. **McWilliams**: A common surname in both Ireland and Scotland, McWilliams is derived from "Mac Uilliam," meaning "son of William." It signifies a connection to the name William and reflects the prevalence of patronymics in both cultures.
13. **Mcdonald**: This surname is of Scottish origin, derived from "Mac Dhomhnaill," meaning "son of Donald." It signifies a close connection to Gaelic naming traditions and the prevalence of patronymics in Scottish culture.
14. **Mccoy**: This surname is of Irish origin, derived from the Gaelic word "Mac Coiglíg," meaning "son of Coiglíg." It signifies a connection to the Coiglíg clan and reflects the cultural significance of this family in Irish history.
15. **Matthews**: A surname of English origin, Matthews is a patronymic derived from the name Matthew, meaning "gift of Yahweh" in Hebrew. This surname indicates a connection to the biblical name Matthew and its associated meaning.
16. **Maxwell**: Of Scottish origin, Maxwell is derived from "Mac Uisdeal," meaning "son of the waterfall." It signifies a connection to a specific geographic location and reflects the presence of waterfalls in the Scottish landscape.
17. **Marquez**: This surname is of Spanish origin, derived from the Christian name Marcos, a Spanish variation of Mark. It signifies a connection to the name Mark and reflects its prevalence in Spanish culture.
18. **Manning**: A surname of English origin, Manning is a patronymic derived from the name "Man," meaning "man" or "human." It signifies a connection to the English language and reflects its use as a patronymic.
19. **Madison**: This surname is of English origin, derived from the place name "Madison," which is located in Virginia, USA. It signifies a connection to a specific geographic location and reflects the historical significance of this town.
20. **Mackenzie**: This surname is of Scottish origin, derived from "MacCoinneach," meaning "son of Kenneth." It signifies a close connection to Gaelic naming traditions and the prevalence of patronymics in Scottish culture.
21. **Malone**: Of Irish origin, Malone is derived from the Gaelic word "Máolón," meaning "bald head." It signifies a connection to Irish history and reflects the cultural significance of this name in Ireland.
22. **Marshall**: A surname of English origin, Marshall is derived from the Norman French word "marescal," meaning "horse-groom." It signifies a connection to the past profession of caring for horses and reflects the historical importance of this role.
23. **Mendez**: This surname is of Spanish origin, derived from the Christian name "Mendes," a Portuguese variation of the name "Mendoza." It signifies a connection to the name Mendoza and its associated meaning.
24. **Meyer**: A surname of German origin, Meyer is derived from the German word "meier," meaning "steward" or "administrator." It signifies a connection to a specific profession and reflects the importance of stewardship in German society.
25. **Miranda**: A surname of Spanish origin, Miranda is derived from the Spanish word "mirada," meaning "look" or "view." It signifies a connection to the Spanish language and reflects its use as a descriptive name.
26. **Miller**: This surname is of English origin, originating from the Old English word "mylnere," meaning "miller," this surname reflects the profession of those who worked in grain mills. It signifies a connection to the agricultural past and the essential role of milling in society.
27. **Montgomery**: Of Scottish origin, Montgomery is derived from "Montgomerie," meaning "mountain of the merchants." It signifies a connection to a specific geographic location and reflects the historical importance of trade in Scotland.
28. **Morris**: This surname is of Welsh origin, derived from "Mor-ris," meaning "sea-lord." It signifies a connection to the Welsh language and reflects the country's maritime heritage.
29. **Moore**: This surname is of English origin, originating from the Old English word "mor," meaning "moor," a large area of open wasteland. It signifies a connection to the natural environment, particularly to boggy, marshy areas.
30. **Morrison**: A surname of Scottish origin, Morrison is derived from "Mac GilleMhóir," meaning "son of the servant of Mary." It signifies a connection to the name Mary and reflects the religious significance of this name in Scottish culture.
31. **Morton**: This surname is of English origin, originating from the Old English word "morton," meaning "moor farm." It signifies a connection to the agricultural past and the practice of farming in moorland areas.
32. **Mosley**: This surname is of English origin, originating from the Old English word "mose," meaning "bog." It signifies a connection to the natural environment, particularly to boggy, marshy areas.
33. **Munoz**: This surname is of Spanish origin, derived from the Christian name "Munuño," a Basque name meaning "alone" or "lonely." It signifies a connection to the Basque language and reflects its historical use as a name.
34. **Murray**: Of Scottish origin, Murray is derived from "Muireadhach," meaning "sea-warrior." It signifies a connection to the Gaelic language and reflects the historical importance of the sea in Scottish culture.
35. **Myers**: A surname of German origin, Myers is derived from the German word "meier," meaning "steward" or "administrator." It signifies a connection to a specific profession and reflects the importance of stewardship in German society.
36. **Myles**: A surname of Irish origin, Myles is derived from the Irish name "Míle," meaning "soldier" or "warrior." It signifies a connection to Irish history and reflects the importance of military strength in Irish culture.
37. **Martinez**: A popular surname in Spanish-speaking regions, Martinez comes from the Christian name Martin. It is a common patronymic surname, indicating a descendant of someone named Martin.
38. **Malone**: Of Irish origin, Malone is derived from the Gaelic word "Máolón," meaning "bald head." It signifies a connection to Irish history and reflects the cultural significance of this name in Ireland.
39. **McIntyre**: This surname is of Scottish origin, derived from "Mac an t-Saoir," meaning "son of the carpenter." It signifies a connection to the craft of carpentry and reflects the historical importance of this trade in Scotland.
40. **Mckenzie**: Of Scottish origin, Mackenzie is derived from "MacCoinneach," meaning "son of Kenneth." It signifies a close connection to Gaelic naming traditions and the prevalence of patronymics in Scottish culture.
41. **McLaughlin**: This surname is of Irish origin, derived from the Gaelic word "Mac Lochlainn," meaning "son of Lochlainn." It signifies a connection to the Lochlainn clan and reflects the cultural significance of this family in Irish history.
42. **McMahon**: Of Irish origin, McMahon is derived from the Gaelic word "Mac Mathghamhna," meaning "son of Mathghamhna." It signifies a connection to the Mathghamhna clan and reflects the cultural significance of this family in Irish history.
43. **Mcneil**: This surname is of Scottish origin, derived from "Mac Gille Mhaoil," meaning "son of the servant of Mary." It signifies a connection to the name Mary and reflects the religious significance of this name in Scottish culture.
44. **Mcmillan**: Of Scottish origin, McMillan is derived from "Mac Mhaoil Mhille," meaning "son of the servant of Mary." It signifies a connection to the name Mary and reflects the religious significance of this name in Scottish culture.
45. **Mcnamara**: This surname is of Irish origin, derived from the Gaelic word "Mac an Mhara," meaning "son of the sea." It signifies a connection to the sea and reflects the maritime heritage of Ireland.
46. **Mcpherson**: Of Scottish origin, McPherson is derived from "Mac Phearsain," meaning "son of Piers." It signifies a connection to the name Piers and reflects the prevalence of patronymics in Scottish culture.
47. **Maroney**: A surname of Irish origin, Maroney is derived from the Gaelic word "Mac Ruairí," meaning "son of Rory." It signifies a connection to the Rory clan and reflects the cultural significance of this family in Irish history.
48. **Mallory**: A surname of English origin, Mallory is derived from the place name "Mallory," which is located in Cheshire, England. It signifies a connection to a specific geographic location and reflects the historical significance of this town.
49. **Mann**: A surname of English origin, Mann is derived from the Old English word "mann," meaning "man." It signifies a connection to the English language and reflects its use as a surname.
50. **Merritt**: This surname is of English origin, originating from the Old English word "mere," meaning "lake." It signifies a connection to the natural environment, particularly to lakes and bodies of water.