NameCensus.

UK surname

Masi

An Italian occupational surname referring to someone who grew, made, or sold maces, a spice made from nutmeg.

In the 1881 census there were 13 people recorded with the Masi surname, ranking it #31,761 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 138, ranked #25,127, up from #31,761 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Swindon, Huntingdonshire and Merton.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Masi is 138 in 2015. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 961.5%.

1881 census count

13

Ranked #31,761

Modern count

138

2016, ranked #25,127

Peak year

2015

138 bearers

Map years

1

2016 to 2016

Key insights

  • Masi had 13 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #31,761 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 138 in 2016, ranked #25,127.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 16 in 1891.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Suburban Professionals.

Masi surname distribution map

The map shows where the Masi surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.

Distribution map

Masi surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

Back to top

Masi over time

The 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 3 #32,890
1861 historical 8 #32,887
1881 historical 13 #31,761
1891 historical 16 #32,868
1901 historical 7 #33,435
1911 historical 9 #32,754
1997 modern 91 #28,215
1998 modern 95 #28,303
1999 modern 96 #28,326
2000 modern 108 #26,549
2001 modern 100 #27,402
2002 modern 99 #28,082
2003 modern 91 #29,121
2004 modern 102 #27,637
2005 modern 95 #28,817
2006 modern 94 #29,264
2007 modern 96 #29,339
2008 modern 96 #29,654
2009 modern 107 #28,483
2010 modern 124 #26,582
2011 modern 124 #26,367
2012 modern 136 #24,830
2013 modern 134 #25,525
2014 modern 135 #25,581
2015 modern 138 #25,103
2016 modern 138 #25,127

Geography

Back to top

Where Masis are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around No data. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Swindon, Huntingdonshire, Merton and South Kesteven. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.

Some modern areas include a three-digit suffix, such as Leeds 110. The suffix is a small-area code, so it stays in the table while the prose uses the plain place name.

Top historical parishes

Rank Parish Area
1 No data No data

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Swindon 015 Swindon
2 Huntingdonshire 004 Huntingdonshire
3 Swindon 022 Swindon
4 Merton 012 Merton
5 South Kesteven 015 South Kesteven

Forenames

Back to top

First names often paired with Masi

These lists show first names that appear often with the Masi surname in historical and recent records.

Modern profile

Back to top

Neighbourhood profile for Masi

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Masi, 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

UK Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Ethnically Diverse Suburban Professionals

Group

Suburban Professionals

Nationally, the Masi surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Suburban Professionals, within Ethnically Diverse Suburban Professionals. This does not mean every Masi household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Employment in this Group is typically in managerial and professional occupations, and education to degree level is common. Residents are typically of working age, many of whom identify with an Indian ethnicity. Households are unlikely to be of Mixed or Multiple ethnicities, and English is not the main language used in some households. This Group is found on the outskirts of most conurbations as well as in the suburbs of some free-standing towns.

Wider pattern

Those working within the managerial, professional and administrative occupations typically reflect a wide range of ethnic groups, and reside in detached or semi-detached housing. Their residential locations at the edges of cities and conurbations and car-based lifestyles are more characteristic of Supergroup membership than birthplace or participation in child-rearing. Houses are typically owner-occupied and marriage rates are lower than the national average. This Supergroup is found throughout suburban UK.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Suburban Asian Communities

Group

Settled Semi-Detached Asians

Within London, Masi is most associated with areas classed as Settled Semi-Detached Asians, part of Suburban Asian Communities. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.

Read profile summary

Group profile

These residents share Supergroup characteristics of large (non-Chinese) Asian populations but those identifying as Bangladeshi are notably absent. Many residents were born in the UK, while other more recent migrants have African birthplaces. Semi-detached housing, much of it owner occupied, prevails in these suburban residential locations.

Wider London pattern

Many residents of these neighbourhoods are of (non-Chinese) Asian descent, with many identifying as Indian, Pakistani or Bangladeshi. Neighbourhoods are located across large areas of suburban west, north-east and south London. Detached, semi-detached and terraced houses are more prevalent than flats and socially rented housing is uncommon. Few residents live in communal establishments. Many families have dependent children, sometimes in overcrowded accommodation, and few households are ethnically mixed. Marriage rates are above the London average. The even age distribution, relative absence of individuals living alone and frequent incidence of households with children suggests that multi-generation households may be relatively common. Employment is often in skilled trades, elementary, sales and customer service occupations, and roles as process, plant, and machine operatives. Manufacturing and construction are well represented, along with employment in distribution, hotels, and restaurants. Many adults have only level 1, 2, or apprenticeship qualifications. English is not used at home by some residents. Religious affiliation is above average.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Masi is most concentrated in decile 10 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the healthier end of the index.

Lower deciles point towards weaker access to healthy assets or stronger exposure to local hazards. Higher deciles point towards stronger access and fewer hazards.

10
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Masi falls in decile 9 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the less deprived end of the index.

Decile 1 represents the more deprived end of the scale. Decile 10 represents the less deprived end.

9
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Masi is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 50-60 mbit/s.

The scale below places that band in context, from slower local download bands through to faster ones.

8
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - Other

This describes the area pattern most associated with Masi, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Masi

The surname "MASI" is of Italian origin, specifically from the regions of Tuscany and Emilia-Romagna. The name can be traced back to the late medieval period, around the 13th or 14th century. It is believed to have derived from the Italian word "maso," which means a farmhouse or a rural property.

In some historical records, the surname is also found with variations in spelling, such as "Maso," "Masio," or "Masso." These variations suggest that the name was initially associated with individuals who lived or worked on a farmhouse or rural estate.

One of the earliest known references to the surname "MASI" can be found in the Estimo, a tax record from the city of Florence, dating back to 1427. This record lists several individuals with the surname, indicating its presence in the Tuscan region during that time period.

Another notable historical reference is the appearance of the name in the Heraldic Rolls of the Republic of Venice. In these rolls, which date back to the 15th and 16th centuries, several noble families with the surname "MASI" are mentioned, suggesting their prominence and influence in the region.

Throughout history, there have been several notable individuals who bore the surname "MASI." One such person was Girolamo Masi (1572-1635), an Italian painter and engraver from Bologna, known for his works depicting religious subjects and mythological themes.

Another significant figure was Giulio Masi (1593-1667), an Italian architect and engineer from Florence, who designed several notable buildings and fortifications in his native city.

In the realm of literature, Bartolomeo Masi (1631-1708) was a renowned Italian historian and writer from Volterra, who authored several works on the history of his native region.

Moving into the 19th century, we find Alessandro Masi (1809-1879), an Italian sculptor from Massa Marittima, whose works adorned various churches and public spaces in Tuscany.

Lastly, Ernesto Masi (1891-1963) was a notable Italian writer and journalist from Florence, known for his contributions to various literary publications and his works on Italian culture and history.

These are just a few examples of individuals with the surname "MASI" who have left their mark on various fields throughout history, reflecting the rich heritage and legacy associated with this Italian surname.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

Back to top

Masi families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Masi surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.

Top counties

Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Staffordshire leads with 8 Masis recorded in 1881 and an index of 18.69x.

County Total Index
Staffordshire 8 18.69x
Middlesex 5 3.94x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Gnosall in Staffordshire leads with 8 Masis recorded in 1881 and an index of 8000.00x.

Place Total Index
Gnosall 8 8000.00x
St Pancras London 5 48.97x

Top female names

These are the female first names most often recorded with the Masi surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.

Name Count
Amelia 1
Emily 1
Florence 1
Martha 1
Mary 1
Rebeca 1

Top male names

These are the male first names most often recorded with the Masi surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.

Name Count
Charles 2
John 2
Augustus 1
Benjamin 1
James 1

Top occupations

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 Masi households.

FAQ

Masi surname: questions and answers

How common was the Masi surname in 1881?

In 1881, 13 people were recorded with the Masi surname. That placed it at #31,761 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Masi surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 138 in 2016. That gives Masi a modern rank of #25,127.

What does the Masi surname mean?

An Italian occupational surname referring to someone who grew, made, or sold maces, a spice made from nutmeg.

What does the Masi map show?

The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Masi bearers relative to the surrounding population.

What records is this surname page based on?

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.