Here are the most common Black or African American last names beginning with M in the United States.
Our list takes surnames from the 2010 census only if 50% or more holders declared that they were Black.
Of course, many African Americans have surnames that fall below this percentage. We simply use it as a cut-off for this list.
Details Behind The List
The U.S. census of 2010 included a question that asked if the person was Black or another ethnicity (or mix).
Our details include the black percentage in 2010 for each name. The census provides a percentage with two decimal points. We rounded it to a whole number.
We also checked the censuses of 1940 and 1910 for the number of people of each name who were documented as black.
This article uses the terms Black and African American interchangeably.
The public details from the 2010 census do not include nationality so our numbers cannot be exact. Take them as a guide.
Top 30 Surnames Beginning With M
These black and African American names have the highest number of entries in the 2010 U.S. census.
The surnames are listed below in order of how common they are.
Mosley
The 2010 census had a total of 47,963 people with the last name Mosley.
About 53% identified as Black or African American.
In the 1940 U.S. census, 6,769 people named Mosley were documented as black.
In the 1910 U.S. census, 3,365 people of this name were documented as black.
Notable figures
Walter Mosley was born in California in 1952. His mother was of Jewish Russian heritage and his father was African American.
Mosley studied political science at Johnson State College, and worked as a computer programmer after graduation. He attended an evening writing course in Harlem and found a mentor in Edna O’Brien, an acclaimed Irish author.
His best-known books are the detective series featuring Easy Rawlins. His first book, Devil In A Blue Dress, was made into a movie with Denzel Washington as Rawlins.
McCray
The 2010 census had a total of 28,024 people with the last name McCray.
About 67% identified as Black or African American.
In the 1940 U.S. census, 4,831 people named McCray were documented as black.
In the 1910 U.S. census, 1,874 people of this name were documented as black.
Historic figures
John Henry McCray was born in 1910 in Youngstown, Florida. He was head of his class at school and graduated with a chemistry degree from Talladega College.
He became a journalist and started several newspapers covering black affairs across the country. He co-founded the Progressive Democratic Party, the first black Democratic Party in the South.
Mohamed
The 2010 census had a total of 27,972 people with the last name Mohamed.
About 65% identified as Black or African American.
In the 1940 U.S. census, 45 people named Mohamed were documented as black.
In the 1910 U.S. census, two people of this name were documented as black.
McNeal
The 2010 census had a total of 20,778 people with the last name McNeal.
About 51% identified as Black or African American.
In the 1940 U.S. census, 3,279 people named McNeal were documented as black.
In the 1910 U.S. census, 2,160 people of this name were documented as black.
Mims
The 2010 census had a total of 19,139 people with the last name Mims.
About 51% identified as Black or African American.
In the 1940 U.S. census, 3,160 people named Mims were documented as black.
In the 1910 U.S. census, 1,452 people of this name were documented as black.
Muhammad
The 2010 census had a total of 19,076 people with the last name Muhammad. We’ve already seen the alternative spelling of Mohamed that is a bit more common.
About 82% identified as Black or African American.
Nobody of this name was documented as black in the 1910 or 1940 censuses.
Mcclendon
The 2010 census had a total of 18,857 people with the last name Mcclendon.
About 55% identified as Black or African American.
In the 1940 U.S. census, 2,577 people named Mcclendon were documented as black.
In the 1910 U.S. census, 869 people of this name were documented as black.
Mcnair
The 2010 census had a total of 16,595 people with the last name Mcnair.
About 54% identified as Black or African American.
In the 1940 U.S. census, 2,841 people named Mcnair were documented as black.
In the 1910 U.S. census, 1,487 people of this name were documented as black.
Myles
The 2010 census had a total of 13,898 people with the last name Myles.
About 72% identified as Black or African American.
In the 1940 U.S. census, 1,731 people named Myles were documented as black.
In the 1910 U.S. census, 301 people of this name were documented as black.
Mcmillian
The 2010 census had a total of 11,765 people with the last name Mcmillian.
About 57% identified as Black or African American.
In the 1940 U.S. census, 1,698 people named Mcmillian were documented as black.
In the 1910 U.S. census, 583 people of this name were documented as black.
Mcduffie
The 2010 census had a total of 10,125 people with the last name Mcduffie.
About 55% identified as Black or African American.
In the 1940 U.S. census, 1,456 people named Mcduffie were documented as black.
In the 1910 U.S. census, 810 people of this name were documented as black.
Mclaurin
The 2010 census had a total of 8,045 people with the last name Mclaurin.
About 64% identified as Black or African American.
In the 1940 U.S. census, 1,254 people named Mclaurin were documented as black.
In the 1910 U.S. census, 945 people of this name were documented as black.
Mckoy
The 2010 census had a total of 7,820 people with the last name Mckoy.
About 83% identified as Black or African American.
In the 1940 U.S. census, 445 people named Mckoy were documented as black.
In the 1910 U.S. census, 435 people of this name were documented as black.
Mosby
The 2010 census had a total of 7,549 people with the last name Mosby.
About 63% identified as Black or African American.
In the 1940 U.S. census, 1,419 people named Mosby were documented as black.
In the 1910 U.S. census, 1,189 people of this name were documented as black.
Macklin
The 2010 census had a total of 7,140 people with the last name Macklin.
About 51% identified as Black or African American.
In the 1940 U.S. census, 1,219 people named Macklin were documented as black.
In the 1910 U.S. census, 657 people of this name were documented as black.
Macon
The 2010 census had a total of 7,008 people with the last name Macon.
About 61% identified as Black or African American.
In the 1940 U.S. census, 1,537 people named Macon were documented as black.
In the 1910 U.S. census, 736 people of this name were documented as black.
McCants
The 2010 census had a total of 6,270 people with the last name Mccants.
About 75% identified as Black or African American.
In the 1940 U.S. census, 1,181 people named McCants were documented as black.
In the 1910 U.S. census, 618 people of this name were documented as black.
McClinton
The 2010 census had a total of 5,816 people with the last name McClinton.
About 74% identified as Black or African American.
In the 1940 U.S. census, 1,286 people named McClinton were documented as black.
In the 1910 U.S. census, 464 people of this name were documented as black.
McGriff
The 2010 census had a total of 5,789 people with the last name McGriff.
About 61% identified as Black or African American.
In the 1940 U.S. census, 1,135 people named McGriff were documented as black.
In the 1910 U.S. census, 574 people of this name were documented as black.
Mickens
The 2010 census had a total of 5,339 people with the last name Mickens.
About 84% identified as Black or African American.
In the 1940 U.S. census, 1,273 people named Mickens were documented as black.
In the 1910 U.S. census, 723 people of this name were documented as black.
Mingo
The 2010 census had a total of 4,899 people with the last name Mingo.
About 65% identified as Black or African American.
603 people named Mingo were documented as black in the 1910 U.S. census. But in 1940 there were no holders of the name documented as black.
Moorer
The 2010 census had a total of 4,849 people with the last name Moorer.
About 72% identified as Black or African American.
In the 1940 U.S. census, 943 people named Moorer were documented as black.
In the 1910 U.S. census, 342 people of this name were documented as black.
Merriweather
The 2010 census had a total of 4,793 people with the last name Merriweather.
About 88% identified as Black or African American.
In the 1940 U.S. census, 946 people named Merriweather were documented as black.
In the 1910 U.S. census, 256 people of this name were documented as black.
Mapp
The 2010 census had a total of 4,749 people with the last name Mapp.
About 72% identified as Black or African American.
In the 1940 U.S. census, 1,162 people named Mapp were documented as black.
In the 1910 U.S. census, 577 people of this name were documented as black.
Moten
The 2010 census had a total of 4,734 people with the last name Moten.
About 79% identified as Black or African American.
In the 1940 U.S. census, 1,111 people named Moten were documented as black.
In the 1910 U.S. census, 700 people of this name were documented as black.
Middlebrooks
The 2010 census had a total of 4,643 people with the last name Middlebrooks.
About 54% identified as Black or African American.
In the 1940 U.S. census, 951 people named Middlebrooks were documented as black.
In the 1910 U.S. census, 577 people of this name were documented as black.
Moultrie
The 2010 census had a total of 4,391 people with the last name Moultrie.
About 82% identified as Black or African American.
In the 1940 U.S. census, 1,128 people named Moultrie were documented as black.
In the 1910 U.S. census, 524 people of this name were documented as black.
Maye
The 2010 census had a total of 4,356 people with the last name Maye.
About 55% identified as Black or African American.
In the 1940 U.S. census, 376 people named Maye were documented as black.
In the 1910 U.S. census, 202 people of this name were documented as black.
Moise
The 2010 census had a total of 4,230 people with the last name Moise.
About 70% identified as Black or African American.
In the 1940 U.S. census, 58 people named Moise were documented as black.
In the 1910 U.S. census, 48 people of this name were documented as black.
Mensah
The 2010 census had a total of 4,209 people with the last name Mensah.
About 95% identified as Black or African American.
In the 1940 U.S. census, 5 people named Mensah were documented as black. However, there were no black holders of the name in the 1910 U.S. census.
Moton
The 2010 census had a total of 4,144 people with the last name Moton.
About 78% identified as Black or African American.
In the 1940 U.S. census, 968 people named Moton were documented as black.
In the 1910 U.S. census, 715 people of this name were documented as black.
Mahone
The 2010 census had a total of 3,956 people with the last name Mahone.
About 66% identified as Black or African American.
In the 1940 U.S. census, 961 people named Mahone were documented as black.
In the 1910 U.S. census, 593 people of this name were documented as black.
Marable
The 2010 census had a total of 3,514 people with the last name Marable.
About 63% identified as Black or African American.
In the 1940 U.S. census, 530 people named Marable were documented as black.
In the 1910 U.S. census, 271 people of this name were documented as black.
McGruder
The 2010 census had a total of 3,444 people with the last name McGruder.
About 76% identified as Black or African American.
In the 1940 U.S. census, 794 people named McGruder were documented as black.
In the 1910 U.S. census, 552 people of this name were documented as black.
Mosely
The 2010 census had a total of 3,419 people with the last name Mosely.
About 61% identified as Black or African American.
In the 1940 U.S. census, 2,639 people named Mosely were documented as black.
In the 1910 U.S. census, 2,073 people of this name were documented as black.
Maxie
The 2010 census had a total of 3,322 people with the last name Maxie.
About 56% identified as Black or African American.
In the 1940 U.S. census, 550 people named Maxie were documented as black.
In the 1910 U.S. census, 213 people of this name were documented as black.
McCullum
The 2010 census had a total of 3,302 people with the last name McCullum.
About 67% identified as Black or African American.
In the 1940 U.S. census, 476 people named McCullum were documented as black.
In the 1910 U.S. census, 136 people of this name were documented as black.
McMillon
The 2010 census had a total of 3,146 people with the last name McMillon.
About 55% identified as Black or African American.
In the 1940 U.S. census, 508 people named McMillon were documented as black.
In the 1910 U.S. census, 416 people of this name were documented as black.
