UK surname
A Germanic occupational surname derived from the word "maser," meaning a wood carver or cabinetmaker.
In the 1881 census there were 23 people recorded with the Maser surname, ranking it #30,339 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 8, ranked #37,829, down from #30,339 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Wolverhampton, St Mary Whitechapel and London parishes. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Maser is 102 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 65.2%.
1881 census count
23
Ranked #30,339
Modern count
8
2016, ranked #37,829
Peak year
1861
102 bearers
Map years
1
1861 to 1861
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Maser surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Maser surname density by area, 1861 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 | 29 | #28,082 |
| 1861 | historical | 102 | #20,797 |
| 1881 | historical | 23 | #30,339 |
| 1891 | historical | 74 | #27,538 |
| 1901 | historical | 20 | #31,803 |
| 1911 | historical | 34 | #29,600 |
| 1997 | modern | 14 | #36,528 |
| 1998 | modern | 11 | #36,908 |
| 1999 | modern | 9 | #37,217 |
| 2000 | modern | 7 | #37,430 |
| 2001 | modern | 8 | #37,124 |
| 2002 | modern | 8 | #37,206 |
| 2003 | modern | 11 | #36,842 |
| 2004 | modern | 6 | #37,655 |
| 2005 | modern | 7 | #37,581 |
| 2006 | modern | 8 | #37,481 |
| 2007 | modern | 8 | #37,572 |
| 2008 | modern | 7 | #37,735 |
| 2009 | modern | 6 | #37,953 |
| 2010 | modern | 8 | #37,769 |
| 2011 | modern | 9 | #37,598 |
| 2012 | modern | 9 | #37,614 |
| 2013 | modern | 9 | #37,653 |
| 2014 | modern | 8 | #37,806 |
| 2015 | modern | 7 | #37,920 |
| 2016 | modern | 8 | #37,829 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Wolverhampton, St Mary Whitechapel, London parishes, Gateshead and Monkwearmouth. 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 | Wolverhampton | Staffordshire |
| 2 | St Mary Whitechapel | London (East Districts) |
| 3 | London parishes | London 3 |
| 4 | Gateshead | Durham |
| 5 | Monkwearmouth | Durham |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Maser 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 Maser, 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 Maser surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Maser 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, Maser 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 Maser is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Maser, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname "MASER" is believed to have originated in Germany during the Middle Ages. It is thought to be derived from the Old German word "masarn," which means "to grumble" or "to complain." This suggests that the name may have been originally given as a nickname to someone who was known for their grumbling or complaining nature.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name "MASER" can be found in the records of the town of Freiburg, Germany, dating back to the 14th century. In these records, a certain "Johannes Maser" is mentioned as a resident of the town. It is possible that this individual was either the first person to bear the name or that it was already an established surname in the region.
In the 15th century, the name "MASER" appears in various historical documents across different parts of Germany, indicating that the name had spread to other areas. One notable person bearing this surname was Hans Maser, a prominent merchant from the city of Nuremberg, who lived from 1430 to 1498.
During the 16th century, the name "MASER" is documented in several German cities, including Leipzig, Dresden, and Hamburg. In the town of Erfurt, there is a record of a "Matthias Maser" who was a respected craftsman and guild member in the early 1500s.
In the 17th century, the name "MASER" appears to have gained some prominence, with several individuals bearing this surname making notable contributions. For example, Johann Maser (1592-1668) was a renowned theologian and author from Saxony, while Peter Maser (1614-1679) was a successful merchant and landowner in the city of Bremen.
As the centuries progressed, the name "MASER" continued to be found in various parts of Germany and other German-speaking regions. Some other notable individuals with this surname include the 18th-century philosopher and writer Friedrich Maser (1718-1792), the 19th-century composer and musician Karl Maser (1835-1911), and the 20th-century historian and author Werner Maser (1922-2007).
While the surname "MASER" has its roots in Germany, it is important to note that due to migration and various historical events, it has also spread to other parts of the world, including North America and other European countries.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Maser 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 11 Masers recorded in 1881 and an index of 4.90x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Middlesex | 11 | 4.90x |
| Devon | 5 | 10.71x |
| Warwickshire | 5 | 8.84x |
| Essex | 2 | 4.52x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Wolborough in Devon leads with 5 Masers recorded in 1881 and an index of 847.46x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Wolborough | 5 | 847.46x |
| Aston Cantlow | 4 | 5000.00x |
| Mile End Old Town | 4 | 112.99x |
| St George In East | 4 | 261.44x |
| West Ham | 2 | 20.45x |
| Birmingham | 1 | 5.30x |
| Shoreditch London | 1 | 10.28x |
| St Marylebone London | 1 | 8.35x |
| Westminster St | 1 | 120.48x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Maser surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
These are the male first names most often recorded with the Maser surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
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 Maser households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| Shoe Maker | 3 |
| Ag Lab | 1 |
| Assistant | 1 |
| Cider Merchant | 1 |
| Cordwainer | 1 |
| Deal Maker | 1 |
| Housemaid Servant | 1 |
| Laundress | 1 |
| Licensed Vitualler | 1 |
| Scholar | 1 |
| School Mistress | 1 |
| Shoe Binder | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 23 people were recorded with the Maser surname. That placed it at #30,339 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 8 in 2016. That gives Maser a modern rank of #37,829.
A Germanic occupational surname derived from the word "maser," meaning a wood carver or cabinetmaker.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Maser 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.