UK surname
Derived from the Old French given name "Maci," which is a pet form of Matthew, meaning "gift of Yahweh."
In the 1881 census there were 131 people recorded with the Macy surname, ranking it #16,824 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 50, ranked #34,889, down from #16,824 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to London parishes, Chilmark and Backwell. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Macy is 162 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 61.8%.
1881 census count
131
Ranked #16,824
Modern count
50
2016, ranked #34,889
Peak year
1861
162 bearers
Map years
3
1851 to 1881
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Macy surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Macy surname density by area, 1881 census.
Timeline
Back to topThe table below tracks recorded surname counts and rank from the 19th-century census years through the modern adult-register period.
| Year | Period | Count | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1851 | historical | 118 | #15,362 |
| 1861 | historical | 162 | #14,310 |
| 1881 | historical | 131 | #16,824 |
| 1891 | historical | 58 | #29,439 |
| 1901 | historical | 81 | #25,130 |
| 1911 | historical | 59 | #26,914 |
| 1997 | modern | 37 | #33,964 |
| 1998 | modern | 40 | #33,856 |
| 1999 | modern | 39 | #34,058 |
| 2000 | modern | 44 | #33,602 |
| 2001 | modern | 44 | #33,490 |
| 2002 | modern | 43 | #33,871 |
| 2003 | modern | 44 | #33,875 |
| 2004 | modern | 43 | #34,149 |
| 2005 | modern | 37 | #34,815 |
| 2006 | modern | 40 | #34,854 |
| 2007 | modern | 37 | #35,215 |
| 2008 | modern | 43 | #34,931 |
| 2009 | modern | 41 | #35,221 |
| 2010 | modern | 49 | #34,886 |
| 2011 | modern | 49 | #34,868 |
| 2012 | modern | 59 | #34,352 |
| 2013 | modern | 57 | #34,538 |
| 2014 | modern | 57 | #34,556 |
| 2015 | modern | 50 | #34,886 |
| 2016 | modern | 50 | #34,889 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around London parishes, Chilmark, Backwell, Fonthill Gifford and St Marylebone. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.
The modern local-area list points to No data. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.
| Rank | Parish | Area |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | London parishes | London 1 |
| 2 | Chilmark | Wiltshire |
| 3 | Backwell | Somerset |
| 4 | Fonthill Gifford | Wiltshire |
| 5 | St Marylebone | London (North Districts) |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Macy surname in historical and recent records.
Recent female names
Recent male names
Modern profile
Back to topModern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Macy, this points to the kinds of places where the surname is most concentrated today.
These neighbourhood labels describe areas, not individual people. They are useful because surnames often cluster through family history, migration, housing patterns and local work. A surname can be strongest in one type of neighbourhood even when people with that name live across the country.
The UK classification gives the national picture. The London classification is more specific to the capital, where housing, age profile, tenure and population mix can look quite different from the rest of the UK.
UK neighbourhood type
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Nationally, the Macy surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Macy household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.
London neighbourhood type
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Within London, Macy is most associated with areas classed as No data, part of No data. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.
Broadband speed
The modern neighbourhood pattern for Macy is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Macy, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Macy has its origins in England, where it first emerged in the 12th century. It is derived from the Old French name "Massie," which in turn comes from the Latin "Matthaeus," meaning "gift of God." The name was likely brought to England by Norman settlers after the Conquest in 1066.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the Macy name can be found in the Pipe Rolls of Lincolnshire from 1195, where it appears as "Macie." This spelling variation is indicative of the name's evolution over time, as it adapted to different regional dialects and pronunciation styles.
In the 13th century, the Macy name appeared in several historical records, including the Curia Regis Rolls of 1218, which mention a "William Macy." This suggests that the name had already become established in various parts of England by this time.
The Macy surname is also connected to several place names in England, such as Macy in Normandy, which may have contributed to the name's spread and popularity. Additionally, the name "Macey" is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086, suggesting an even earlier presence of the name in England.
Among notable historical figures bearing the Macy surname are:
1. Thomas Macy (1608-1682), an early English settler in Massachusetts Bay Colony who co-founded the town of Nantucket. 2. Josiah Macy (1763-1837), an American merchant and philanthropist who co-founded the Macy's department store chain. 3. William H. Macy (born 1950), an American actor known for his roles in films like "Fargo" and the TV series "Shameless." 4. John Macy (1877-1957), an American literary critic and writer who served as the president of the Poetry Society of America. 5. Anne Macy (1619-1716), one of the last women to be executed for witchcraft in colonial Massachusetts.
While the Macy name has evolved and spread across various regions, its roots can be traced back to the Norman conquest of England and the subsequent integration of French names into the English language and culture.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Macy surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.
Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Middlesex leads with 37 Macys recorded in 1881 and an index of 3.01x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Middlesex | 37 | 3.01x |
| Somerset | 22 | 11.12x |
| Hampshire | 12 | 4.76x |
| Lancashire | 11 | 0.75x |
| Gloucestershire | 10 | 4.15x |
| Derbyshire | 5 | 2.60x |
| Surrey | 5 | 0.83x |
| Wiltshire | 5 | 4.60x |
| Oxfordshire | 4 | 5.27x |
| Devon | 3 | 1.17x |
| Dorset | 3 | 3.72x |
| Warwickshire | 3 | 0.97x |
| Cambridgeshire | 1 | 1.28x |
| Channel Islands | 1 | 2.75x |
| Monmouthshire | 1 | 1.13x |
| Nottinghamshire | 1 | 0.60x |
| Sussex | 1 | 0.48x |
| Worcestershire | 1 | 0.62x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Bishops Hull in Somerset leads with 11 Macys recorded in 1881 and an index of 1718.75x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Bishops Hull | 11 | 1718.75x |
| Islington London | 8 | 6.72x |
| Stroud | 8 | 170.58x |
| Hackney London | 7 | 10.16x |
| St Marylebone London | 7 | 10.67x |
| Southampton St Mary | 6 | 37.88x |
| West Derby | 6 | 14.06x |
| Holbrook | 5 | 1162.79x |
| Toxteth Park | 5 | 10.13x |
| Yatton | 5 | 649.35x |
| Lyndhurst | 4 | 579.71x |
| Oxford St Giles | 4 | 110.50x |
| Clerkenwell London | 3 | 10.34x |
| Clevedon | 3 | 145.63x |
| Lambeth | 3 | 2.80x |
| Little Cheverell | 3 | 3333.33x |
| Oxhill | 3 | 2727.27x |
| St Pancras London | 3 | 3.03x |
| Stoke Damerel | 3 | 16.76x |
| Twickenham | 3 | 56.93x |
| Lytchett Minster | 2 | 555.56x |
| Shoreditch London | 2 | 3.75x |
| Walcot | 2 | 18.98x |
| Angmering | 1 | 243.90x |
| Bristol St Philip Jacob | 1 | 4.41x |
| Chatteris | 1 | 50.25x |
| Cromhall Cromhall Lygon | 1 | 769.23x |
| Egham | 1 | 27.17x |
| Finchley | 1 | 21.23x |
| Hampstead London | 1 | 5.22x |
| Horningsham | 1 | 294.12x |
| Hornsey | 1 | 6.44x |
| Kingston On Thames | 1 | 6.95x |
| Langton Matravers | 1 | 263.16x |
| Leigh | 1 | 51.28x |
| Milton | 1 | 158.73x |
| Newport | 1 | 23.58x |
| North Petherton | 1 | 62.50x |
| Nottingham St Mary | 1 | 2.33x |
| St Mary Extra | 1 | 49.26x |
| St Peter Port | 1 | 14.84x |
| Stapleford | 1 | 1000.00x |
| Westminster St James | 1 | 7.92x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Macy surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
| Name | Count |
|---|---|
| Mary | 10 |
| Elizabeth | 7 |
| Annie | 4 |
| Alice | 3 |
| Eliza | 3 |
| Clara | 2 |
| Emily | 2 |
| Emma | 2 |
| Sophia | 2 |
| A.M. | 1 |
| Amy | 1 |
| Ann | 1 |
| B. | 1 |
| Bessie | 1 |
| Bessy | 1 |
| Bridget | 1 |
| Caroline | 1 |
| Edith | 1 |
| Esther | 1 |
| F.L. | 1 |
| Fanny | 1 |
| Florence | 1 |
| Frances | 1 |
| Hilda | 1 |
| Isabelle | 1 |
| Jane | 1 |
| Lilian | 1 |
| Liny | 1 |
| Mahitabel | 1 |
| Margaret | 1 |
| Margret | 1 |
| Maria | 1 |
| Martha | 1 |
| Nelly | 1 |
| Piety | 1 |
| Rose | 1 |
| Sarah | 1 |
| Susan | 1 |
These are the male first names most often recorded with the Macy surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
| Name | Count |
|---|---|
| Thomas | 7 |
| John | 6 |
| William | 6 |
| Charles | 3 |
| Richard | 3 |
| Edward | 2 |
| Frederick | 2 |
| George | 2 |
| Harry | 2 |
| Henry | 2 |
| James | 2 |
| Robert | 2 |
| Vincent | 2 |
| Albert | 1 |
| Arthur | 1 |
| E. | 1 |
| Earnest | 1 |
| Edwd. | 1 |
| Edwin | 1 |
| Francis | 1 |
| Fredrick | 1 |
| Heny. | 1 |
| Hiram | 1 |
| Joe | 1 |
| Jonathan | 1 |
| Joseph | 1 |
| Laurence | 1 |
| Richd. | 1 |
| Samson | 1 |
| Tomas | 1 |
| Uria | 1 |
| Walter | 1 |
| Willm. | 1 |
| Wm.S. | 1 |
Occupational titles are kept as recorded and later transcribed, so related jobs, spelling variants and mistakes stay separate. Scholar was the census term for a child in education. That means the other rows often tell you more about adult work in Macy households.
FAQ
In 1881, 131 people were recorded with the Macy surname. That placed it at #16,824 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 50 in 2016. That gives Macy a modern rank of #34,889.
Derived from the Old French given name "Maci," which is a pet form of Matthew, meaning "gift of Yahweh."
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Macy bearers relative to the surrounding population.
The historical counts come from census surname records. The modern counts and neighbourhood summaries come from later surname distribution records. Counts are recorded bearers in those records, not a live estimate of everyone with the name today.