Mason

Mason is the transferred use of an English surname. Mason originated in the Middle Ages as an occupational name intended to signify a skilled worker of stone (from the Old French “maçon”), a word which is ultimately derived from the Germanic “macian” meaning “to make.” The Norman-French introduced the name to England after the Norman Conquest of 1066. At that point in history, very few structures in England were made from stone, so not only did the French introduce the word to England, but they also brought the masonry skill itself. As a surname, Mason dates back to at least the 11th century England when last names were issued as a form of identification for taxation purposes. Occupations became one of the key ways to classify a citizen. This is how Robert the baker became Robert Baker and Richard the stoneworker became Richard Mason. It’s uncertain when Mason began to be used as a forename for boys, but we know it dates back to at least the 19th century in America. Usage of Mason in America may have been influenced by George Mason, an 18th century patriot and statesman credited for his role in writing the Bill of Rights. Today, the name Mason is used almost exclusively within English-speaking nations. It’s most popular in North America (the United States and Canada), but it also ranks remarkably high in Australia, Scotland and England.