The Mason Coat of Arms and Name Meaning
Discover the meaning of Mason, its origins in England, and the story behind a Mason family crest.
Order your pack and our heraldry team researches and paints the Mason coat of arms for you.
Origin of the Mason name
Mason is an occupational name for a stonemason, from Old French masson, a word of Germanic origin. Masons were among the most skilled and mobile craftsmen of medieval England, moving from site to site to build castles, cathedrals and parish churches. The name is recorded from the twelfth century and is found throughout England and Scotland. Machin is a related English surname from the same word.
Our historical archives hold much more on the Mason name: dates, names and records of early bearers.
This overview covers the Mason name in England. We also hold records of the name in other countries, such as the United States, Scotland and Australia; your full pack is researched for your family's country of origin.
Get your full Mason family history
The complete Mason pack goes much further: documented origins, early records and family spread, plus a hand-checked coat of arms.
Mason name FAQ
What does the Mason name mean?
Stonemason. Common variants include Masson, Machin, Mayson.
Where does the Mason surname come from?
It originates in England, and is also found in the United States, Scotland and Australia.
Is there a Mason coat of arms?
Arms were granted to individuals, not whole surnames, so there is no single Mason crest. Herald Lab paints a personalized Mason coat of arms based on historic heraldry.
Researched by Herald Lab Research Studio, since 1993. Sources: Reaney & Wilson, Dictionary of English Surnames; Dictionary of American Family Names (Oxford); US Census Bureau 2010.