Are you looking for a comprehensive list of last names beginning with “M”?
We’ve used the 2000 and 2010 U.S. Census to compile over six hundred surnames that start with the letter M and had at least five thousand people with the name
In the table below, you’ll see the total number of bearers for the name in each census.
Can’t Find A Surname That You Know?
If you don’t find a name that you’re interested in, then use our surname ranking tool which doesn’t have the minimum threshold that we’ve imposed on this list.
It will show you where your last name ranks in the U.S. census.
You can learn more in our tutorial on how to check how rare your last name is.
Meanings Of Popular Last Names Starting With M
Here are the top ten most common last names beginning with M in the 2010 U.S. census.
They are in descending order of how common they are.
Miller
- Bearers: 1,161,437
With over one million people named Miller in the United States, this is one of the most common names in the country.
It was ranked seventh in the 2010 census, just behind Garcia.
Aside from English speaking countries, the name appears across Europe in variants like Mueller (Germanic) and Moller (Scandinavian).
The origins are in the Old Norse word for a mill keeper.

Martinez
- Bearers: 1,060,159
- Origins: Hispanic
Martinez was ranked as the tenth most common name in the 2010 census. Ninety-three percent of people with the name declared as Hispanic in the census.
The name simply means “son of Martin”. But what about the meaning of “Martin”?
Martin derives from the name of the Roman God of War i.e. Mars. Early adopters would have been soldiers and warriors.
Moore
- Bearers: 724,374
- Origins: English or Irish
This is a name with different origins depending on the region.
The English origins refer to people living near a marsh or a moor.
The Irish origins are from the name “Ó Mordha”, which means son of the great man.

Martin
- Bearers: 702,625
- Origins: across Europe
The name Martin is historically found across Europe. I’ve already mentioned the meaning from the God of War.
But the name spread in the Middle Ages partly in reverence to St Martin of Tours, a fourth-century saint.
Mitchell
- Bearers: 384,486
- Origins: English, Scottish
There are several origins and meanings. Some early bearers in England and Scotland took the personal name Michael as a surname.
Other bearers were given the name in reference to their size. “Michel” was the old (Middle) English word for “big”.
Morris
- Bearers: 318,884
- Origins: English
The name was introduced to England during the Norman Conquest.
It derives from the French personal name of Maurice.
Morales
- Bearers: 311,777
- Origins: Hispanic
Morales means “son of Moral”. The meaning comes from the Spanish term for a mulberry bush or blackberry bush.
Historically, the early bearers likely lived in areas with plentiful blackberry bushes.

Murphy
- Bearers: 308,417
- Origins: Irish
Murphy is an Anglicization of the Gaelic name O’Murchadha. This means “descendant of Murchadha”.
The meaning comes from old Gaelic words for sea (muir) and battle (cath).
Morgan
- Bearers: 286,280
- Origins: Welsh
Morgan was an early personal name in Wales that was adopted as a surname.
Mendoza
- Bearers: 242,771
- Origins: Hispanic
The origins of the name are in the Spanish words for “cold mountain”.
Myers
- Bearers: 229,895
- Origins: Irish
- Meaning: Jovial Person
Famous People With M Surnames
Here is an assorted collection of ten famous people with a family name starting with M.
Nelson Mandela

Nelson Mandela (1918-2013) was one of the most famous political leaders in recent history.
He first became known worldwide as an imprisoned activist. He would later become the first black President of South Africa.
George RR Martin
George RR Martin is an American novelist.
His best-known work is the series “Game of Thrones”.
Freddie Mercury
The late Freddie Mercury was a British singer and songwriter who was born in Zanzibar to parents of Indian heritage.
He was the frontman for the rock band, Queen.
Karl Marx

Karl Marx (1818-1883) was a German philosopher.
His best-known works are Das Kapital and the Communist Manifesto.
Toni Morrison
Toni Morrison (1931-2019) was an American novelist.
Her best-known work was the novel Beloved which won the Pulitzer Prize.
Paul McCartney
Paul McCartney is an English singer and songwriter. He was one of the Beatles before a long and successful solo career.
Perhaps his best-known works (and my favorites) are “Yesterday” and “Let It Be”.
Macbeth
Macbeth was a general and King of Scotland.
He was fictionalized in the great Shakespearean play of the same name.
Bob Marley
Bob Marley (1945-1981) was a Jamaican singer and songwriter. He was a pioneer of Reggae music.
Some of his best-known works (and my favorites) are “No Woman, No Cry” and “Buffalo Soldier”.
Claude Monet
Claude Monet (1840-1926) was a French painter. He was a founder of the Impressionist movement.
The painting below is the “Banks of the Seine” from 1880.

Eddie Murphy
Eddie Murphy is an American actor who started his career in entertainment as a stand-up comedian.
Perhaps his best-known work is Beverly Hills Cop.
Last Names Starting With M
Let’s start with names from Ma to Mackenzie.
If you’re curious about the two-letter name of Ma, I cover it in some detail in our article on the shortest surnames starting with M.
I’ll summarize here by saying it is of Chinese origin and was adopted by several military leaders.

Last Name | 2000 Census | 2010 Census |
Ma | 19,030 | 28,452 |
Maas | 9,410 | 9,285 |
Mabe | 6,877 | 6,939 |
Mabry | 12,508 | 12,846 |
Macdonald | 45,782 | 46,717 |
Mace | 12,114 | 12,222 |
Macedo | 5,797 | 8,433 |
Macgregor | 5,064 | 5,161 |
Machado | 18,429 | 23,170 |
Macias | 46,739 | 62,227 |
Maciel | 8,407 | 11,500 |
The most common name in this section is Mack, which has over seventy-one thousand bearers in the 2010 U.S. census.
What are the origins of this name? Well, you also see plenty of Celtic names starting with Mac in this list. Mack is a shortened form. It literally means “son”.
Last Name | 2000 Census | 2010 Census |
Mack | 67,154 | 71,056 |
Mackay | 9,248 | 9,886 |
Mackenzie | 13,174 | 13,733 |
Mackey | 29,718 | 30,749 |
Mackie | 6,510 | 6,686 |
Macklin | 6,592 | 7,140 |
Maclean | 7,127 | 7,504 |
Macleod | 7,542 | 7,886 |
Macmillan | 5,553 | 5,688 |
Macon | 6,592 | 7,008 |
Macpherson | 5,464 | 5,579 |
From Macy to Maguire
Maddox is one of the most common names in this section, with about thirty-six thousand bearers in the 2010 U.S. census.
The origins are in England and Wales and the name is a variant of Maddock. The meaning derives from the Welsh word for good or benevolent.
Madison is also a name of English origin. It means “son of Mathew”.
Last Name | 2000 Census | 2010 Census |
Macy | 5,217 | 5,203 |
Madden | 34,472 | 35,438 |
Maddox | 34,970 | 36,250 |
Mader | 5,321 | 5,434 |
Madera | 7,160 | 9,583 |
Madigan | 5,670 | 5,707 |
Madison | 26,548 | 28,411 |
Madrid | 20,834 | 25,854 |
Madrigal | 19,632 | 27,033 |
Madsen | 16,425 | 17,364 |
Let’s take a closer look at Magnuson. This means “son of Magnus”, and Magnus has several spelling variants on the list.
Magnus has Germanic origins. The meaning derives from the Latin word for “great” (magnus). The early bearers were powerful families or military leaders.

Last Name | 2000 Census | 2010 Census |
Maes | 5,640 | 6,033 |
Maestas | 7,830 | 8,296 |
Magallanes | 6,294 | 8,852 |
Magana | 27,571 | 39,105 |
Magdaleno | 5,780 | 7,956 |
Magee | 26,031 | 27,720 |
Maggard | 6,359 | 6,625 |
Maggio | 5,836 | 5,877 |
Magill | 5,325 | 5,692 |
Magnuson | 7,957 | 7,980 |
Maguire | 15,853 | 16,713 |
From Mahaffey to Maloney
Many of the names in this section are of Irish origins, which we will cover in another list.
Let’s take a look instead at Major. This has different meanings depending on the region.
The East European origins refer to the military title of a middle-ranking officer (a major).
The name arrived into England with the Norman Conquest and is a variant of Mauger.
The meaning may come from the Old German words for a spear (gar).

Last Name | 2000 Census | 2010 Census |
Mahaffey | 7,996 | 8,079 |
Mahan | 14,937 | 15,375 |
Maher | 22,503 | 23,222 |
Mahler | 5,167 | 5,222 |
Mahon | 9,327 | 9,441 |
Mahoney | 39,440 | 40,397 |
Mai | 12,027 | 17,445 |
Maier | 13,929 | 14,135 |
Main | 12,631 | 12,776 |
Majewski | 5,109 | 5,126 |
Major | 19,791 | 20,977 |
Majors | 9,480 | 9,747 |
The name Malik had nearly fifteen thousand bearers in 2010.
This name is prominent in Pakistan. The meaning derives from an Arabic word for a king. It was conferred on local heads of a village.
Last Name | 2000 Census | 2010 Census |
Maki | 9,155 | 9,190 |
Malcolm | 9,643 | 10,618 |
Maldonado | 88,016 | 121,526 |
Malik | 10,376 | 14,925 |
Malinowski | 5,833 | 5,895 |
Mallard | 5,602 | 6,583 |
Mallett | 6,584 | 6,556 |
Mallory | 16,987 | 17,578 |
Malloy | 16,056 | 16,546 |
Malone | 69,257 | 71,286 |
Maloney | 30,434 | 30,671 |
From Manchester to Marble
Mann is the most common name in this section with over 83 thousand bearesr.
The name is Germanic in origin and it means what it sounds like in English. It was conferred as a nickname for men who were particularly strong or imposing.
Now, let’s take a look at Manley with about 25 thousand bearers in the 2010 U.S. census.
The name is of English origins. There are several places in England called Manley, and the name would have been conferred upon people from those villages and towns.
The meaning is derived from the Old English words for a woodland clearing.
Last Name | 2000 Census | 2010 Census |
Manchester | 5,078 | 5,182 |
Mancilla | 5,467 | 7,908 |
Mancini | 10,881 | 11,382 |
Mancuso | 9,659 | 9,711 |
Mandel | 6,532 | 6,703 |
Maness | 8,065 | 8,095 |
Mangan | 5,756 | 6,315 |
Mangum | 9,271 | 9,515 |
Manley | 25,159 | 25,136 |
Mann | 81,022 | 83,510 |
Manning | 72,069 | 74,949 |
Manns | 5,921 | 6,312 |
Maples is an English name that has origins in geography.
The name was taken by people who lived near woodland of maple trees.
Last Name | 2000 Census | 2010 Census |
Manriquez | 5,934 | 8,119 |
Mansfield | 18,498 | 18,725 |
Manson | 8,090 | 7,663 |
Manuel | 24,227 | 27,529 |
Manzanares | 5,249 | 7,480 |
Manzano | 6,670 | 9,608 |
Manzo | 10,595 | 13,635 |
Mapes | 5,484 | 5,456 |
Maples | 10,559 | 10,603 |
Marble | 5,397 | 5,796 |
From March to Marks
Marcum is one of the more common names in this section.
This name is a variant of Markham. There are several places with that name in England, and people would adopt the names of where they resided.
The meaning derives from the Old English words for the boundary of a village.
Last Name | 2000 Census | 2010 Census |
March | 10,553 | 10,719 |
Marchand | 6,251 | 6,610 |
Marchant | 5,311 | 5,834 |
Marchese | 6,483 | 6,670 |
Marcotte | 5,771 | 5,923 |
Marcum | 15,925 | 16,246 |
Marcus | 17,360 | 17,671 |
Marek | 7,517 | 8,042 |
Mares | 12,041 | 14,931 |
Mariano | 7,111 | 9,091 |
Marks is the most common name in this section.
This is a variant of Mark and the English name derives from the Roman name Marcus.
The name spread in Europe in part due to families adopting the name of Mark the Evangelist in the New Testament.

Last Name | 2000 Census | 2010 Census |
Marin | 31,786 | 43,904 |
Marino | 30,735 | 31,687 |
Marion | 14,364 | 14,777 |
Mariscal | 6,401 | 8,368 |
Mark | 15,916 | 14,265 |
Marker | 5,938 | 6,438 |
Markey | 5,225 | 5,435 |
Markham | 12,763 | 13,137 |
Markle | 5,401 | 5,893 |
Markley | 7,176 | 7,581 |
Marks | 48,281 | 49,177 |
From Marler to Martell
Marquez is the most common name in this section. We cover it in our list of Hispanic surnames starting with M.
Last Name | 2000 Census | 2010 Census |
Marler | 6,584 | 7,058 |
Marley | 6,075 | 6,220 |
Marlin | 5,415 | 5,602 |
Marlow | 13,185 | 13,205 |
Marlowe | 6,318 | 6,543 |
Marquardt | 8,398 | 8,749 |
Marques | 6,386 | 7,520 |
Marquez | 79,951 | 107,533 |
Marquis | 8,449 | 8,737 |
Marr | 10,365 | 10,724 |
Marra | 5,526 | 6,065 |
Last Name | 2000 Census | 2010 Census |
Marrero | 16,783 | 21,109 |
Marriott | 5,051 | 5,547 |
Marroquin | 12,874 | 19,661 |
Marrs | 5,740 | 5,658 |
Marsh | 60,999 | 62,304 |
Marshall | 177,213 | 183,922 |
Marston | 6,127 | 6,535 |
Marte | 6,090 | 8,867 |
Martel | 8,362 | 9,056 |
Martell | 9,568 | 11,158 |
From Martens to Masterson
I’ve already given some origins for Martin and Martinez in the section in this article on the most common names starting with M.
Let me say a bit more about Saint Martin of Tours, whose popularity spread the name in the Middle Ages.
Martin was a Roman soldier stationed in France. The legend goes that he met a shivering beggar and cut his own cloak in two to help the man. Martin later became a bishop.
Remnants of the cloak became a holy relic revered by the kings of the Franks.
Last Name | 2000 Census | 2010 Census |
Martens | 9,749 | 10,096 |
Martin | 672,711 | 702,625 |
Martindale | 6,970 | 6,962 |
Martines | 8,041 | 9,363 |
Martinez | 775,072 | 1,060,159 |
Martini | 6,988 | 7,612 |
Martino | 12,889 | 13,128 |
Martins | 9,062 | 11,751 |
Martinson | 7,639 | 8,048 |
Martz | 8,433 | 8,250 |
Mason is also a common name in this section with over 160 thousand bearers in the 2010 census.
The name is of English origin. The meaning derives from the Middle English word for a tradesman who works with stone.
We still call them stone masons to this day.

Last Name | 2000 Census | 2010 Census |
Marvin | 10,375 | 10,310 |
Marx | 9,404 | 11,716 |
Mashburn | 6,675 | 6,688 |
Mason | 155,484 | 160,213 |
Massa | 5,651 | 6,111 |
Massey | 53,459 | 55,595 |
Massie | 10,525 | 10,920 |
Mast | 12,869 | 15,932 |
Masters | 23,106 | 23,533 |
Masterson | 11,673 | 12,117 |
From Mata to Matz
Matthews is the most common name in this section. When you run your eye down the list, you’ll see it has many variants.
They all derive from the name Matthew, which is found in various forms across Europe.
The origins are from the Hebrew name Matiyahu, which means “gift of God”.
Last Name | 2000 Census | 2010 Census |
Mata | 34,888 | 48,120 |
Mateo | 8,540 | 13,746 |
Matheny | 8,369 | 8,595 |
Mather | 6,602 | 7,621 |
Mathes | 6,468 | 6,553 |
Matheson | 7,302 | 7,585 |
Mathew | 9,311 | 13,808 |
Mathews | 50,608 | 51,592 |
Mathias | 8,286 | 8,851 |
Mathis | 51,796 | 54,217 |
Matias | 7,295 | 11,635 |
Last Name | 2000 Census | 2010 Census |
Matlock | 12,017 | 12,599 |
Matney | 5,207 | 5,518 |
Matos | 16,819 | 21,258 |
Matson | 12,100 | 12,320 |
Matteson | 6,949 | 7,148 |
Matthew | 6,486 | 6,436 |
Matthews | 124,839 | 131,303 |
Mattingly | 14,661 | 15,050 |
Mattison | 7,083 | 7,485 |
Mattox | 9,881 | 10,099 |
Mattson | 15,825 | 16,203 |
Matz | 5,123 | 5,143 |
From Mauldin to Mazza
May is the most common name in this section with over one hundred thousand bearers in 2010.
There are several origins for this name in Europe. In England, it was a variant or nickname for Matthew, which we looked at in the previous section.
Elsewhere, it was also given to people born in the month of May. The month is named after Maia, a Roman goddess of fertility.
Last Name | 2000 Census | 2010 Census |
Mauldin | 9,713 | 10,011 |
Maupin | 6,060 | 6,051 |
Maurer | 20,333 | 20,707 |
Mauro | 7,483 | 7,722 |
Maxey | 10,461 | 10,584 |
Maxfield | 5,455 | 5,987 |
Maxwell | 65,779 | 67,961 |
May | 101,726 | 103,306 |
Maya | 7,227 | 10,313 |
Mayberry | 14,060 | 14,326 |
Last Name | 2000 Census | 2010 Census |
Mayer | 39,111 | 39,555 |
Mayers | 5,592 | 6,076 |
Mayes | 24,853 | 25,256 |
Mayfield | 29,136 | 29,805 |
Mayhew | 8,754 | 9,085 |
Maynard | 35,648 | 36,460 |
Mayo | 33,126 | 35,228 |
Mayorga | 6,864 | 9,659 |
Mays | 38,914 | 40,408 |
Mazur | 8,721 | 8,733 |
Mazza | 8,078 | 8,043 |
List of last names beginning with “Mc”
There are 165 names in the 2010 U.S. census starting with Mc that have at least five thousand bearers.
These names are Irish or Scottish, and we will cover them in a separate list.
From Meacham to Meneses
Let’s take a look at Meeks and Meek which are variants. The origins are different depending on the region.
The English name originates from a term bestowed on a mild-mannered or gentle person.
The Dutch name originates from the Middle Dutch word for bread. Bakers of bread would take the name.

Last Name | 2000 Census | 2010 Census |
Meacham | 6,115 | 6,190 |
Mead | 21,919 | 22,727 |
Meade | 21,264 | 22,091 |
Meador | 10,174 | 10,292 |
Meadows | 42,884 | 44,500 |
Meagher | 5,619 | 5,784 |
Means | 15,808 | 16,203 |
Mears | 9,706 | 9,988 |
Medeiros | 18,121 | 19,031 |
Medina | 139,353 | 188,497 |
Last Name | 2000 Census | 2010 Census |
Medley | 13,152 | 13,630 |
Medlin | 10,511 | 10,750 |
Medlock | 6,013 | 6,416 |
Medrano | 29,386 | 40,261 |
Meehan | 14,348 | 14,630 |
Meek | 14,549 | 14,970 |
Meeker | 8,394 | 8,781 |
Meeks | 28,426 | 29,457 |
Mehta | 9,691 | 14,342 |
Meier | 24,886 | 25,486 |
Meister | 7,423 | 7,885 |
Last Name | 2000 Census | 2010 Census |
Mejia | 66,534 | 104,057 |
Melancon | 6,258 | 6,496 |
Melchor | 5,498 | 8,319 |
Melendez | 42,139 | 56,230 |
Melgar | 5,303 | 9,106 |
Mello | 11,263 | 11,670 |
Melo | 6,743 | 9,731 |
Melson | 7,120 | 5,054 |
Melton | 48,594 | 50,069 |
Melvin | 19,523 | 20,008 |
Last Name | 2000 Census | 2010 Census |
Mena | 14,299 | 19,522 |
Menard | 10,973 | 11,543 |
Menchaca | 6,618 | 8,169 |
Mendenhall | 9,988 | 10,213 |
Mendes | 8,034 | 10,162 |
Mendez | 112,736 | 161,717 |
Mendiola | 7,980 | 10,752 |
Mendoza | 168,567 | 242,771 |
Menendez | 9,045 | 11,609 |
Meneses | 5,695 | 8,548 |
From Mejia to Meza
Meyer is a common name in this section with over 150 thousand bearers in the 2010 census.
This name has Germanic origins. The meaning comes from the title of mayor given to the head of a village or a wealthy landlord.
Last Name | 2000 Census | 2010 Census |
Mejia | 66,534 | 104,057 |
Melancon | 6,258 | 6,496 |
Melchor | 5,498 | 8,319 |
Melendez | 42,139 | 56,230 |
Melgar | 5,303 | 9,106 |
Mello | 11,263 | 11,670 |
Melo | 6,743 | 9,731 |
Melson | 7,120 | 5,054 |
Melton | 48,594 | 50,069 |
Melvin | 19,523 | 20,008 |
Last Name | 2000 Census | 2010 Census |
Mena | 14,299 | 19,522 |
Menard | 10,973 | 11,543 |
Menchaca | 6,618 | 8,169 |
Mendenhall | 9,988 | 10,213 |
Mendes | 8,034 | 10,162 |
Mendez | 112,736 | 161,717 |
Mendiola | 7,980 | 10,752 |
Mendoza | 168,567 | 242,771 |
Menendez | 9,045 | 11,609 |
Meneses | 5,695 | 8,548 |
Last Name | 2000 Census | 2010 Census |
Meraz | 6,106 | 8,616 |
Mercado | 46,437 | 60,761 |
Mercer | 33,797 | 34,431 |
Merchant | 13,421 | 14,692 |
Mercier | 7,753 | 8,149 |
Meredith | 23,937 | 24,679 |
Merino | 7,480 | 11,684 |
Merkel | 6,577 | 6,991 |
Merrell | 8,414 | 8,809 |
Merrick | 8,360 | 8,629 |
Last Name | 2000 Census | 2010 Census |
Merrill | 31,758 | 32,620 |
Merriman | 8,656 | 9,085 |
Merritt | 44,626 | 45,594 |
Mertz | 7,805 | 7,841 |
Mesa | 11,341 | 13,566 |
Messenger | 5,824 | 6,022 |
Messer | 19,819 | 20,306 |
Messick | 6,349 | 6,441 |
Messina | 12,626 | 12,717 |
Metcalf | 23,540 | 23,946 |
Last Name | 2000 Census | 2010 Census |
Metz | 20,010 | 20,366 |
Metzger | 20,386 | 20,771 |
Metzler | 6,612 | 6,657 |
Meyer | 149,664 | 150,895 |
Meyers | 56,744 | 57,127 |
Meza | 37,662 | 53,230 |
From Metz to Mizell
We covered Miller in the opening section of the most common names beginning with M.
Last Name | 2000 Census | 2010 Census |
Metz | 20,010 | 20,366 |
Metzger | 20,386 | 20,771 |
Metzler | 6,612 | 6,657 |
Meyer | 149,664 | 150,895 |
Meyers | 56,744 | 57,127 |
Meza | 37,662 | 53,230 |
Michael | 39,369 | 40,736 |
Michaels | 16,696 | 17,528 |
Michalski | 6,866 | 6,914 |
Michaud | 14,408 | 14,910 |
Last Name | 2000 Census | 2010 Census |
Michel | 21,487 | 25,578 |
Michels | 6,901 | 7,225 |
Mick | 5,305 | 5,299 |
Mickelson | 7,405 | 7,267 |
Middleton | 40,708 | 42,578 |
Mielke | 5,422 | 5,482 |
Miguel | 7,282 | 10,861 |
Milam | 11,554 | 11,787 |
Milan | 5,318 | 6,268 |
Milano | 5,150 | 5,609 |
Milburn | 7,754 | 7,871 |
Last Name | 2000 Census | 2010 Census |
Miles | 81,933 | 84,942 |
Miley | 6,930 | 7,365 |
Millan | 9,127 | 10,733 |
Millar | 6,168 | 6,883 |
Millard | 12,622 | 12,843 |
Miller | 1,127,803 | 1,161,437 |
Milligan | 21,887 | 22,416 |
Milliken | 5,635 | 5,857 |
Mills | 147,909 | 151,942 |
Milne | 6,055 | 6,258 |
Milner | 11,790 | 12,153 |
Milton | 19,899 | 20,703 |
Last Name | 2000 Census | 2010 Census |
Mims | 18,248 | 19,139 |
Min | 5,028 | 6,982 |
Mincey | 5,233 | 5,839 |
Miner | 20,627 | 21,439 |
Mink | 5,590 | 5,922 |
Minnick | 7,525 | 7,581 |
Minor | 29,634 | 30,702 |
Minter | 9,828 | 10,301 |
Minton | 13,667 | 13,737 |
Mintz | 5,901 | 5,853 |
Last Name | 2000 Census | 2010 Census |
Miracle | 5,924 | 6,291 |
Miramontes | 6,841 | 8,884 |
Miranda | 67,646 | 93,628 |
Mireles | 12,863 | 17,186 |
Mitchel | 6,161 | 5,570 |
Mitchell | 367,433 | 384,486 |
Mix | 5,841 | 5,344 |
Mixon | 12,154 | 12,394 |
Mize | 11,873 | 11,908 |
Mizell | 5,232 | 5,429 |
From Moats to Morehouse
Moore is a common name in this section.
The Irish origins are from the name “Ó Mordha”, which means son of the great man.
The English origins refer to people living near a marsh or a moor.

Last Name | 2000 Census | 2010 Census |
Moats | 5,556 | 5,778 |
Mobley | 27,648 | 29,065 |
Mock | 15,208 | 15,847 |
Moe | 10,740 | 11,150 |
Moeller | 13,094 | 13,915 |
Moen | 7,895 | 8,138 |
Moffett | 11,524 | 11,853 |
Moffitt | 9,652 | 10,070 |
Mohamed | 12,499 | 27,972 |
Mohammed | 9,585 | 15,132 |
Last Name | 2000 Census | 2010 Census |
Mohler | 6,224 | 6,506 |
Mohr | 17,153 | 17,180 |
Mojica | 10,803 | 14,737 |
Molina | 70,211 | 96,979 |
Moll | 6,844 | 7,131 |
Molloy | 6,986 | 7,238 |
Molnar | 8,478 | 8,586 |
Monaco | 8,054 | 8,198 |
Monaghan | 7,613 | 7,968 |
Monahan | 15,058 | 15,533 |
Moncada | 6,096 | 8,574 |
Last Name | 2000 Census | 2010 Census |
Monday | 5,185 | 5,379 |
Mondragon | 12,063 | 18,620 |
Money | 6,261 | 6,420 |
Monge | 5,764 | 8,418 |
Moniz | 5,666 | 5,775 |
Monk | 11,207 | 12,103 |
Monroe | 53,475 | 55,136 |
Monroy | 9,215 | 14,673 |
Monson | 9,970 | 10,425 |
Montague | 10,720 | 11,258 |
Montalvo | 18,085 | 23,454 |
Last Name | 2000 Census | 2010 Census |
Montanez | 12,482 | 16,281 |
Montano | 21,110 | 27,276 |
Monteiro | 5,293 | 6,965 |
Montelongo | 6,308 | 8,472 |
Montemayor | 6,630 | 8,106 |
Montenegro | 7,943 | 10,606 |
Montero | 11,997 | 17,314 |
Montes | 35,196 | 48,142 |
Montez | 8,322 | 10,097 |
Montgomery | 112,144 | 115,953 |
Montiel | 7,899 | 12,376 |
Montoya | 57,075 | 71,844 |
Last Name | 2000 Census | 2010 Census |
Moody | 62,344 | 64,429 |
Moon | 42,062 | 45,528 |
Mooney | 32,953 | 33,555 |
Moore | 698,671 | 724,374 |
Moorman | 7,149 | 7,399 |
Mora | 41,348 | 57,464 |
Morales | 217,642 | 311,777 |
Moran | 78,546 | 88,615 |
Moreau | 8,473 | 9,035 |
Morehead | 7,670 | 7,653 |
Morehouse | 6,298 | 6,309 |
From Moreau to Moyers
Morris is the most common name in this section with over 300 thousand bearers in the 2010 census.
The name was introduced to England during the Norman Conquest, and it derives from the French personal name of Maurice.
Last Name | 2000 Census | 2010 Census |
Moreira | 6,363 | 9,037 |
Morel | 6,309 | 8,085 |
Moreland | 17,173 | 17,832 |
Morelli | 6,419 | 6,532 |
Moreno | 146,088 | 196,925 |
Morey | 10,595 | 10,894 |
Morgan | 276,400 | 286,280 |
Moriarty | 9,661 | 10,005 |
Morin | 28,184 | 29,593 |
Moritz | 6,125 | 6,216 |
Last Name | 2000 Census | 2010 Census |
Morley | 10,815 | 11,028 |
Morrell | 11,334 | 11,700 |
Morrill | 7,458 | 7,598 |
Morris | 311,754 | 318,884 |
Morrison | 117,939 | 121,130 |
Morrissey | 13,244 | 13,564 |
Morrow | 55,664 | 56,840 |
Morse | 41,112 | 41,774 |
Mortensen | 10,208 | 11,013 |
Mortimer | 5,358 | 5,521 |
Morton | 58,788 | 59,213 |
Last Name | 2000 Census | 2010 Census |
Mosby | 7,134 | 7,549 |
Moseley | 16,736 | 17,130 |
Moser | 29,485 | 30,483 |
Moses | 36,814 | 39,216 |
Mosher | 15,595 | 15,672 |
Mosier | 8,384 | 8,522 |
Moskowitz | 5,070 | 5,304 |
Mosley | 44,698 | 47,963 |
Mosqueda | 6,739 | 9,709 |
Moss | 73,750 | 76,908 |
Last Name | 2000 Census | 2010 Census |
Mota | 10,094 | 14,182 |
Motley | 9,966 | 10,274 |
Mott | 17,013 | 17,092 |
Moua | 9,776 | 14,013 |
Moulton | 11,580 | 12,104 |
Mount | 8,602 | 8,754 |
Mouton | 6,015 | 6,535 |
Mowery | 8,002 | 8,226 |
Moy | 8,523 | 8,781 |
Moya | 13,526 | 18,071 |
Moye | 7,036 | 7,657 |
Moyer | 36,421 | 37,050 |
From Mudd to Myrick
I covered Murphy in the opening section on the most common names.
Here, I’ll look at Murdock and Murdoch which are Scottish variants. The origins are in the Scots-Gaelic word for a warrior of the sea.
It would have been adopted by sailors on fighting ships.

Last Name | 2000 Census | 2010 Census |
Mudd | 6,294 | 6,391 |
Mueller | 64,305 | 64,191 |
Muhammad | 13,972 | 19,076 |
Muir | 10,863 | 11,130 |
Mulcahy | 6,444 | 6,595 |
Mulder | 6,809 | 7,317 |
Mulholland | 6,151 | 6,353 |
Mulkey | 5,695 | 6,061 |
Mull | 9,925 | 9,377 |
Mullen | 36,442 | 37,502 |
Muller | 26,744 | 27,216 |
Last Name | 2000 Census | 2010 Census |
Mulligan | 14,229 | 14,590 |
Mullin | 11,099 | 11,103 |
Mullins | 70,286 | 71,646 |
Mullis | 8,763 | 9,003 |
Mumford | 6,244 | 6,413 |
Muncy | 5,007 | 5,308 |
Mundy | 9,390 | 9,439 |
Munger | 5,451 | 5,639 |
Munguia | 8,749 | 12,615 |
Muniz | 24,203 | 30,695 |
Munn | 8,666 | 8,751 |
Munoz | 117,774 | 158,483 |
Last Name | 2000 Census | 2010 Census |
Munro | 6,551 | 6,918 |
Munroe | 5,639 | 6,226 |
Munson | 17,345 | 17,745 |
Murdock | 19,041 | 19,873 |
Murillo | 31,964 | 45,558 |
Muro | 6,009 | 7,916 |
Murphy | 300,501 | 308,417 |
Murray | 178,414 | 184,910 |
Murrell | 10,600 | 11,347 |
Murry | 9,590 | 10,140 |
Last Name | 2000 Census | 2010 Census |
Muse | 11,184 | 12,571 |
Musgrove | 6,554 | 6,660 |
Musick | 6,549 | 6,972 |
Musselman | 6,375 | 6,306 |
Musser | 9,354 | 9,820 |
Myer | 6,408 | 6,317 |
Myers | 224,824 | 229,895 |
Myles | 12,348 | 13,898 |
Myrick | 12,896 | 13,236 |
Can’t Find A Surname That You Know?
If you don’t find a name that you’re interested in, then use our surname ranking tool which doesn’t have the 2,000 threshold that we’ve imposed on this list.
You can learn more in our tutorial on how to check how rare any last name is.