MASSIE

The surname Massie is a family name of both French and Scottish provenance, recorded in the British Isles as early as the twelfth century.

Its earliest etymology is found in the Old French word mais or maison, meaning “house.” In this sense it is a topographic name given to an individual who dwelt near a prominent manor or dwelling. After the Norman Conquest of 1066 the name was introduced into England in varying spellings such as MacI, Macy, Massy, Massey and Macey, and many of the early bearers were granted substantial estates.

The first documentary appearance is that of Hamo de Masci, dated 1086 in the Domesday Book of Essex, during the reign of King William I. Subsequent records include Hugo Mascy of Huntingdonshire and John de Maci of Middlesex in 1221, and William Massy of Nottinghamshire in 1330. The surname was later noted in ecclesiastical registers, such as the marriage of John Massey to Mawde Fothergell at St. Margaret's, Westminster on 22 September 1571, and the christening witness of Robert Massye at Manchester Cathedral on 11 June 1583. In Lancashire the name has been documented since medieval times.

In Scotland the Massie family settled particularly in the Stirling region, where members held the title of Barons of Gillesland and became prominent in local society. The name has also been seen in an Irish context, sometimes appearing as Matheson or Mathieson, which are Gaelic derivatives meaning “son of Matthew.” Variations such as de Massy or de Massey are traditionally interpreted as indicating geographical association with a place called Massy or Macey in Normandy, rather than as a patronymic signifier.

Today the surname Massie is most commonly found in the United States, especially in the state of Virginia, though it remains in small numbers in England, Scotland, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. The surname’s several established spellings—Massie, Massey, Macy, Macey, Massy, and Mace—reflect its long history across different linguistic and geographical contexts, and its persistence through the centuries attests to the continuity of the family line. Notable contemporary bearers continue to carry the name with the dignified heritage that it denotes.

Typical given names associated with the Massie surname

Male

• Alan
• Alexander
• Andrew
• David
• Ian
• James
• John
• Paul
• Robert
• Stephen
• William

Female

• Amanda
• Anne
• Dawn
• Elizabeth
• Fiona
• Helen
• Jacqueline
• Jennifer
• Joanna
• June
• Karen
• Margaret
• Mary
• Sarah

Similar and related surnames

Related and similar names are generated algorithmically based on the spelling, and may not necessarily share an etymology.

How to communicate the surname Massie in...

Braille

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Morse

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Semaphore

Origin: Celtic

Region of origin: British Isles

Country of origin: Scotland

Religion of origin: Christian

Language of origin: Gaelic

Famous people named Massie

• Allan Massie - Writer
• Alex Massie - Scottish football player and manager (1906 to 1977)
• Les Massie - Scottish football player
• Jason Massie - Football player
• Bert Massie - (1949 to 2017)
• James Massie - Canadian politician (1833 to 1904)

Names and descriptions courtesy of Wikipedia, and may contain errors. This is not intended to be an exhaustive list of every famous person with this name.

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