NameCensus.

UK surname

Masson

A French occupational surname referring to a stoneworker, stonemason, or someone who lived in a stone-built house.

In the 1881 census there were 1,827 people recorded with the Masson surname, ranking it #2,380 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 2,498, ranked #2,648, down from #2,380 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Govan Combination, Dunnotter and Elgin. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Rosehearty and Strathbeg, Fraserburgh Smiddyhill and Stonehaven South.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Masson is 2,572 in 2010. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 36.7%.

1881 census count

1,827

Ranked #2,380

Modern count

2,498

2016, ranked #2,648

Peak year

2010

2,572 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Masson had 1,827 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #2,380 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 2,498 in 2016, ranked #2,648.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 2,227 in 1901.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Established but Challenged.

Masson surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Masson surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Masson 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 1,273 #2,245
1861 historical 1,672 #1,711
1881 historical 1,827 #2,380
1891 historical 2,079 #2,228
1901 historical 2,227 #2,425
1911 historical 525 #7,551
1997 modern 2,315 #2,687
1998 modern 2,413 #2,689
1999 modern 2,451 #2,676
2000 modern 2,438 #2,677
2001 modern 2,362 #2,695
2002 modern 2,431 #2,688
2003 modern 2,377 #2,687
2004 modern 2,388 #2,670
2005 modern 2,404 #2,630
2006 modern 2,406 #2,626
2007 modern 2,386 #2,669
2008 modern 2,430 #2,643
2009 modern 2,512 #2,634
2010 modern 2,572 #2,634
2011 modern 2,532 #2,639
2012 modern 2,447 #2,671
2013 modern 2,463 #2,703
2014 modern 2,507 #2,675
2015 modern 2,502 #2,653
2016 modern 2,498 #2,648

Geography

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Where Massons are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Govan Combination, Dunnotter, Elgin, Edinburgh and London parishes. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Rosehearty and Strathbeg, Fraserburgh Smiddyhill, Stonehaven South, Fraserburgh Harbour and Broadsea and Fraserburgh Central-Academy. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.

Top historical parishes

Rank Parish Area
1 Govan Combination Lanark
2 Dunnotter Kincardine
3 Elgin Elgin
4 Edinburgh Edinburgh
5 London parishes London 2

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Rosehearty and Strathbeg Aberdeenshire
2 Fraserburgh Smiddyhill Aberdeenshire
3 Stonehaven South Aberdeenshire
4 Fraserburgh Harbour and Broadsea Aberdeenshire
5 Fraserburgh Central-Academy Aberdeenshire

Forenames

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First names often paired with Masson

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Masson

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

Semi- and Un-Skilled Workforce

Group

Established but Challenged

Nationally, the Masson surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Established but Challenged, within Semi- and Un-Skilled Workforce. This does not mean every Masson household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Many households in these neighbourhoods comprise separated or divorced single parents with dependent children. Residents are typically born in the UK, and these neighbourhoods have relatively few members of ethnic minorities. The prevalence of children, their parents and those at or above normal retirement age, suggests neighbourhood structures may be long-established. Levels of unpaid care are high, and long-term disability is more common than in the Supergroup as a whole. Use of the social rented sector is common, often in terraced houses. Levels of overcrowding are above the Supergroup average. Unemployment is high, while those in work are employed in elementary occupations such as caring, leisure and customer services. Many residents have low level qualifications. Neighbourhood concentrations of this Group are found in the South Wales Valleys, Belfast, Londonderry and the Central Lowlands of Scotland.

Wider pattern

Living in terraced or semi-detached houses, residents of these neighbourhoods typically lack high levels of education and work in elementary or routine service occupations. Unemployment is above average. Residents are predominantly born in the UK, and residents are also predominantly from ethnic minorities. Social (but not private sector) rented sector housing is common. This Supergroup is found throughout the UK’s conurbations and industrial regions but is also an integral part of smaller towns.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Suburban Asian Communities

Group

Settled Semi-Detached Asians

Within London, Masson 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

Masson is most concentrated in decile 1 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the less healthy 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.

1
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Masson falls in decile 7 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname near the middle of the scale.

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

7
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Masson is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 30-40 mbit/s.

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

6
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

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

Meaning and origin of Masson

The surname MASSON has its origins in France, specifically in the northern regions of the country. It first appeared around the 12th century and is derived from the Old French word "masson," which means "mason" or "stone worker." This occupation-based surname was likely given to individuals who worked as stonemasons or in the building trade.

The earliest recorded instances of the name MASSON can be found in medieval French records and documents. One notable example is Guillaume MASSON, a stonemason who worked on the construction of the Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris during the late 12th century.

As the surname spread across France, it also took on various regional spellings, such as MASON, MAÇON, and MASSE. These variations reflect the local dialects and pronunciations of different areas.

In the 13th century, the name MASSON appears in the records of the Duchy of Burgundy, where it was associated with several families of builders and craftsmen. One prominent figure from this period was Jean MASSON, a master mason who oversaw the construction of the Cistercian Abbey of Fontenay in Burgundy.

The surname MASSON also has historical connections to the Reformation in France. François MASSON, a Protestant theologian and scholar born in 1572, played a significant role in translating and disseminating religious texts during the 16th century.

As the MASSON name spread beyond France, it was carried by immigrants and settlers to various parts of the world. In England, the MASSON surname can be traced back to the 16th century, with records indicating that some French Huguenot refugees bearing this name settled in the country.

One notable figure with the MASSON surname was Frédéric MASSON, a French historian and biographer born in 1847. He was renowned for his extensive works on the life and times of Napoleon Bonaparte.

Another prominent individual was David MASSON, a Scottish philosopher, essayist, and biographer born in 1822. He authored several acclaimed works, including a biography of John Milton and a history of the British novelists.

In the arts, the name MASSON is associated with André MASSON, a French painter and sculptor born in 1896. He was a prominent figure in the Surrealist movement and is known for his abstract and symbolic works.

The surname MASSON has also been carried by notable individuals in other fields, such as Charles MASSON, a British explorer and archaeologist born in 1800, who made significant contributions to the study of ancient civilizations in Afghanistan.

Throughout its history, the surname MASSON has been borne by individuals from various walks of life, from skilled artisans and builders to scholars, artists, and explorers. Its origins as an occupation-based name reflect the rich tapestry of professions and trades that have shaped societies across the centuries.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Masson families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Masson 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. Aberdeenshire leads with 469 Massons recorded in 1881 and an index of 28.24x.

County Total Index
Aberdeenshire 469 28.24x
Kincardineshire 303 138.78x
Morayshire 261 93.69x
Middlesex 99 0.55x
Angus 86 5.18x
Lanarkshire 62 1.07x
Midlothian 60 2.50x
Surrey 44 0.50x
Yorkshire 38 0.21x
Nairnshire 34 62.12x
Renfrewshire 34 2.45x
Lancashire 31 0.15x
Ross-shire 27 5.48x
Essex 26 0.73x
Banffshire 25 6.72x
Inverness-shire 23 4.30x
Durham 20 0.37x
Kent 19 0.31x
Hampshire 16 0.44x
Warwickshire 16 0.35x
Gloucestershire 15 0.43x
Sussex 12 0.40x
Royal Navy 11 5.15x
Wigtownshire 10 4.20x
Dorset 9 0.76x
Monmouthshire 9 0.69x
Derbyshire 8 0.29x
Norfolk 8 0.29x
Nottinghamshire 8 0.33x
Channel Islands 6 1.13x
Northumberland 6 0.22x
Staffordshire 6 0.10x
Argyllshire 5 1.00x
Stirlingshire 5 0.76x
Devon 4 0.11x
Northamptonshire 4 0.24x
Perthshire 3 0.37x
Brecknockshire 2 0.56x
Leicestershire 2 0.10x
Berkshire 1 0.07x
Glamorgan 1 0.03x
Hertfordshire 1 0.08x
Orkney 1 0.51x
Oxfordshire 1 0.09x
Shetland 1 0.55x
Shropshire 1 0.06x
Somerset 1 0.03x
Suffolk 1 0.05x
Sutherland 1 0.73x
West Lothian 1 0.37x
Worcestershire 1 0.04x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Fetteresso in Kincardineshire leads with 123 Massons recorded in 1881 and an index of 359.44x.

Place Total Index
Fetteresso 123 359.44x
Aberdeen St Nicholas 117 37.66x
Kinloss 106 1606.06x
Aberdeen Old Machar 90 25.96x
Elgin 57 105.19x
Dunnottar 53 345.05x
Peterhead 39 44.41x
Govan 36 2.51x
Banchory Devenick 33 161.84x
Duffus 31 126.27x
Rathen 30 172.41x
Cruden 28 130.96x
Nigg 28 155.04x
Kintore 25 173.25x
Banchory Ternan 24 127.12x
Edinburgh St Cuthberts 23 2.38x
Dundee 22 3.55x
Islington London 18 1.04x
South Leith 18 6.66x
Inverness 16 11.88x
Kinneff Catterline 16 260.16x
Bethnal Green London 15 1.93x
Cawdor 15 225.23x
Forfar 14 15.57x
St Marylebone London 14 1.46x
West Greenock 14 5.61x
West Ham 14 1.79x
Forres 13 44.40x
Glasgow 13 1.26x
Knockbain 13 112.85x
Nairn 13 39.14x
Newhills 12 35.29x
Skene 11 99.91x
Alves 10 144.51x
Croydon 10 2.06x
Glenbervie 10 167.22x
Keith 10 25.22x
Montrose 10 9.93x
Southcoates 10 10.14x
Aston 9 0.72x
Bedwellty 9 3.93x
Hedworth Monkton Jarrow 9 3.90x
Helmsley 9 94.44x
Rafford 9 138.25x
Camberwell 8 0.70x
Canford Magna 8 117.82x
Clifton 8 4.50x
Lochalsh 8 63.19x
Whithorn 8 44.10x
Arbroath 7 12.72x
Barony 7 0.48x
Benholm 7 74.63x
Birmingham 7 0.46x
Coull 7 143.44x
Culsalmond 7 136.99x
Drumoak 7 122.59x
Edinburgh St Marys 7 14.99x
Edinkillie 7 96.42x
Monikie 7 80.37x
New Deer 7 23.29x
North Wingfield 7 55.82x
Poplar London 7 2.07x
Rotherhithe 7 3.16x
Shoreditch London 7 0.90x
St George In East 7 5.74x
Tarland 7 97.22x
Brechin 6 9.19x
Dallas 6 106.01x
Drainie 6 24.31x
Glenmuick Tullich 6 50.13x
Leochel Cushnie 6 80.21x
Liff Benvie 6 2.38x
Logie Buchan 6 126.05x
Newington 6 0.91x
Paisley High Church 6 5.42x
Portsea 6 0.83x
Ratho 6 53.57x
Southampton St Mary 6 2.60x
Turriff 6 22.39x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 26
Elizabeth 12
Ann 10
Sarah 10
Alice 7
Ellen 7
Jane 6
Hannah 5
Margaret 5
Annie 4
Emma 4
Lucy 4
Ada 3
Helen 3
Janet 3
Jesse 3
Amelia 2
Bessie 2
Catherine 2
Clara 2
Edith 2
Eliza 2
Elizth. 2
Georgina 2
Grace 2
Harriet 2
Jessie 2
Julia 2
Kate 2
Louisa 2
Maggie 2
Marie 2
Matilda 2
Susan 2
Agusta 1
Amy 1
Beatrice 1
Beratses 1
Bertha 1
Blanche 1
Constance 1
Daisey 1
Elenor 1
Elisa 1
Elisabth 1
Elizebeth 1
Elizia 1
Frances 1
Gertrude 1
Victorine 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 33
William 22
George 16
Charles 12
James 11
Thomas 9
Robert 8
Henry 7
Alfred 6
Arthur 6
Alexander 5
Samuel 5
Joseph 4
David 3
Edward 3
Frederick 3
Richard 3
Alex 2
Ernest 2
Frank 2
Gustave 2
Herbert 2
Thos 2
Antonine 1
Carl 1
Chas.Ferdinand 1
Christopher 1
Claud 1
Cyrus 1
Edwin 1
Emlyn 1
Emmanuel 1
Frances 1
Francis 1
Fredk. 1
Fredrick 1
Frois 1
Geo 1
Heeley 1
Henery 1
Hippolite 1
Hurran 1
Jules 1
Leslie 1
Lionel 1
Louis 1
Morton 1
Oratio 1
Patrick 1
Wm. 1

FAQ

Masson surname: questions and answers

How common was the Masson surname in 1881?

In 1881, 1,827 people were recorded with the Masson surname. That placed it at #2,380 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Masson surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 2,498 in 2016. That gives Masson a modern rank of #2,648.

What does the Masson surname mean?

A French occupational surname referring to a stoneworker, stonemason, or someone who lived in a stone-built house.

What does the Masson map show?

The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Masson 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.