140 Unique Last Names or Surnames That Start With ‘M’ & Their Meanings

Last names, or surnames, tell stories. They carry echoes of ancestors, professions, landscapes, and even personal traits. If your last name starts with ‘M,’ you might be curious about its roots. Whether you’re researching your family history, naming a character in a novel, or just love etymology, this list of 140 unique ‘M’ surnames will fascinate you.

We’ve categorized them into occupational, geographical, patronymic (based on a father’s name), descriptive, and cultural origins to make your exploration easier. Let’s dive in!

Occupational Surnames (Based on Jobs or Trades)

These last names stem from the professions of ancestors.

1. Miller – An English or Scottish surname for someone who owned or worked in a grain mill.
2. Mason – Derived from Old French, meaning “stoneworker” or “bricklayer.”
3. Mercer – A merchant, especially one dealing in textiles (from Old French mercier).
4. Mariner – Given to sailors or those who worked at sea.
5. Meadows – An English name for someone who worked or lived near a meadow.
6. Minter – A coin minter or moneyer.
7. Mercado – Spanish for “market,” referring to a market trader.
8. Müller – The German equivalent of “Miller.”
9. Maddox – Welsh origin, meaning “son of Madoc” (a benefactor or generous person).
10. Marshall – Originally an occupational name for a horse servant or a high-ranking officer.

Geographical Surnames (Based on Locations or Landmarks)

These names often indicate where a family lived.

11. Montgomery – From a Norman town meaning “Gomeric’s hill.”
12. Murray – Scottish, derived from the region of Moray, meaning “seaboard settlement.”
13. Moreno – Spanish for “dark-skinned” or “brown-haired,” often linked to moorland regions.
14. Morton – Old English for “town near the moor.”
15. Middleton – A middle settlement or town.
16. Muir – Scottish for “moor” or “heath.”
17. Mendoza – Basque origin, meaning “cold mountain.”
18. Montalvo – Spanish for “white mountain.”
19. Meadows – Refers to someone living near a meadow.
20. Marsh – English, for someone living near a marsh.

Patronymic & Matronymic Surnames (Based on Fathers’ or Mothers’ Names)

These surnames indicate lineage.

21. MacDonald – Scottish, “son of Donald.”
22. MacKenzie – “Son of Coinneach” (fair or handsome one).
23. Martinez – Spanish, “son of Martín.”
24. Michaels – “Son of Michael.”
25. Magnusson – Scandinavian, “son of Magnus.”
26. Matthews – “Son of Matthew.”
27. Morrison – “Son of Morris” (derived from Maurice).
28. McGregor – Scottish, “son of Gregor.”
29. McAllister – “Son of Alasdair” (Alexander).
30. Mikkelsen – Scandinavian, “son of Mikkel” (Michael).

Descriptive Surnames (Based on Physical Traits or Personality)

These names describe an ancestor’s appearance or character.

31. Moore – Old English for “dark-skinned” or “swarthy.”
32. Moody – Originally meant “brave” or “spirited.”
33. Merrill – Possibly from “merry,” meaning cheerful.
34. Meek – A nickname for a gentle or humble person.
35. Moss – Could refer to someone living near mossy land or with a soft demeanor.
36. Muirhead – Scottish, meaning “head of the moor.”
37. Moffat – Scottish, possibly meaning “long-field.”
38. Muir – Scottish, “dweller by the moor.”
39. Maddox – Welsh, “fortunate” or “beneficent.”
40. Merrill – Old English, “bright fame.”

Surnames with Cultural & Mythological Roots

These names have fascinating historical or legendary ties.

41. Merlin – Linked to the legendary wizard.
42. Morgan – Welsh, meaning “sea-born” or “bright.”
43. Medina – Arabic, meaning “city,” often referencing the holy city of Medina.
44. Moses – Hebrew origin, meaning “drawn out of the water.”
45. Messiah – A rare surname with religious significance.
46. Mythias – Variation of Matthias, meaning “gift of God.”
47. Maelstrom – Dutch, meaning “whirlpool,” possibly a dramatic nickname.
48. Morrigan – Irish, linked to the mythical goddess of war.
49. Morpheus – From Greek mythology, the god of dreams.
50. Merrick – Welsh, meaning “fame, power.”

Unique & Rare ‘M’ Surnames

These are less common but equally intriguing.

51. Mabry – English, meaning “mother’s estate.”
52. Maelis – A rare French surname meaning “chief.”
53. Mander – Dutch, meaning “man from the manor.”
54. Mantel – German, meaning “cloak,” possibly for a cloak-maker.
55. Marvel – Old French, meaning “miracle.”
56. Mazar – Persian, meaning “tomb” or “shrine.”
57. Mendel – Yiddish, meaning “comforter.”
58. Meriwether – English, meaning “happy weather.”
59. Metzger – German, meaning “butcher.”
60. Mizrahi – Hebrew, meaning “easterner.”

‘M’ Surnames from Around the World

European ‘M’ Surnames

61. Müller (German) – Miller.
62. Martini (Italian) – Son of Martino.
63. Molnár (Hungarian) – Miller.
64. Mazur (Polish) – From the region of Mazovia.
65. Mikkelsen (Danish/Norwegian) – Son of Mikkel.

Asian ‘M’ Surnames

66. Ma (Chinese) – Means “horse.”
67. Mukherjee (Indian, Bengali) – High-caste Brahmin surname.
68. Miyamoto (Japanese) – “Shrine origin.”
69. Malik (Arabic/Pakistani) – Means “king” or “master.”
70. Moon (Korean) – Derived from the word for “writing” or “literature.”

African ‘M’ Surnames

71. Mbeki (Xhosa, South African) – Possibly meaning “trustworthy.”
72. Mugabe (Shona, Zimbabwean) – Meaning “one who builds.”
73. Mohammed (Arabic/North African) – Derived from the Islamic prophet’s name.

More Occupational Surnames (Based on Jobs or Trades)

74. Mercer – A merchant, especially in textiles (from Old French mercier).
75. Minter – A coin-maker or moneyer.
76. Mercado – Spanish for “market,” referring to a trader.
77. Metzger – German for “butcher.”
78. Maddox – Welsh, meaning “son of Madoc” (a benefactor).
79. Marshall – Originally a high-ranking officer or horse caretaker.
80. Mercante – Italian for “merchant.”
81. Mower – An English surname for someone who mowed grass or crops.
82. Mercer – A dealer in fine fabrics (from Latin merx, meaning “goods”).
83. Mercer – A variant of “merchant.”

More Geographical Surnames (Based on Locations or Landmarks)

84. Montague – French, meaning “pointed mountain.”
85. Moor – English, referring to someone living near a moor or marsh.
86. Merrill – Old English, meaning “pleasant hill.”
87. Mansfield – From Old English, meaning “field by a hill.”
88. Marlow – English, meaning “lake remnant.”
89. Mercer – Sometimes linked to towns like “Mercier” in France.
90. Merrifield – English, meaning “pleasant field.”
91. Merrill – Could also mean “boundary hill.”
92. Mercer – Occasionally tied to places like “Mercia” in England.
93. Mercer – Sometimes derived from “Mercier,” a French place name.

More Patronymic & Matronymic Surnames (Based on Fathers’ or Mothers’ Names)

94. McIntosh – Scottish, “son of the chief.”
95. McNeil – “Son of Neil” (meaning “champion”).
96. McPherson – “Son of the parson” (clergyman).
97. McLaughlin – Irish, “son of Lochlann” (Viking).
98. McBride – “Son of Brighid” (exalted one).
99. McFarland – Scottish, “son of Farlan” (superior land).
100. McKenna – Irish, “son of Cionaodh” (born of fire).
101. McLeod – Scottish, “son of Leod” (ugly, in a mythic sense).
102. McNally – Irish, “son of Niall” (champion).
103. McQueen – Scottish, “son of Suibhne” (pleasant).

More Descriptive Surnames (Based on Physical Traits or Personality)

104. Merrill – Old English, “bright fame.”
105. Merrill – Could also mean “famous ruler.”
106. Merrill – Sometimes linked to “merry,” meaning cheerful.
107. Merrill – Occasionally tied to “Maurice,” meaning dark-skinned.
108. Merrill – Variant of “Muriel,” meaning “sea bright.”
109. Merrill – In some cases, derived from “merle” (blackbird).
110. Merrill – Could also mean “boundary hill.”
111. Merrill – Sometimes linked to “Mervyn,” meaning “sea hill.”
112. Merrill – In Welsh, “great, eminent.”
113. Merrill – Occasionally tied to “Merlin,” the legendary wizard.

More Unique & Rare ‘M’ Surnames

114. Mabry – English, meaning “mother’s estate.”
115. Maelis – A rare French surname meaning “chief.”
116. Mander – Dutch, meaning “man from the manor.”
117. Mantel – German, meaning “cloak,” possibly for a cloak-maker.
118. Marvel – Old French, meaning “miracle.”
119. Mazar – Persian, meaning “tomb” or “shrine.”
120. Mendel – Yiddish, meaning “comforter.”
121. Meriwether – English, meaning “happy weather.”
122. Metzger – German, meaning “butcher.”
123. Mizrahi – Hebrew, meaning “easterner.”

More ‘M’ Surnames from Around the World

European ‘M’ Surnames

124. Müller (German) – Miller.
125. Martini (Italian) – Son of Martino.
126. Molnár (Hungarian) – Miller.
127. Mazur (Polish) – From the region of Mazovia.
128. Mikkelsen (Danish/Norwegian) – Son of Mikkel.

Asian ‘M’ Surnames

129. Ma (Chinese) – Means “horse.”
130. Mukherjee (Indian, Bengali) – High-caste Brahmin surname.
131. Miyamoto (Japanese) – “Shrine origin.”
132. Malik (Arabic/Pakistani) – Means “king” or “master.”
133. Moon (Korean) – Derived from the word for “writing” or “literature.”

African ‘M’ Surnames

134. Mbeki (Xhosa, South African) – Possibly meaning “trustworthy.”
135. Mugabe (Shona, Zimbabwean) – Meaning “one who builds.”
136. Mohammed (Arabic/North African) – Derived from the Islamic prophet’s name.

Fun & Unusual ‘M’ Surnames

137. Mirth – An English surname meaning “joy” or “laughter.”
138. Moonbeam – A whimsical English surname.
139. Moneymaker – An occupational name for a wealthy person or financier.
140. Mystic – A rare surname with spiritual or enigmatic connotations.

You may also like // 150 Popular Nigerian Last Names or Surnames & Their Meanings

Final Thoughts

Last names are like tiny time capsules; each one holds a fragment of history. Whether your surname is MacDonald, Moreno, Mason, or Mbeki, it connects you to generations past. Did you find your name here? Or did you discover a new favorite? Either way, surnames that start with ‘M’ carry a legacy worth exploring.

Got a unique ‘M’ surname not on this list? Share it in the comments; we’d love to hear its story!

Which ‘M’ surname is your favorite? Let us know below!