Masson is a surname of French origin, derived from the word "masse", which means "mass" or "heap". The name likely originated as an occupational surname given to someone who worked in a granary or was involved in the milling industry.
The earliest recorded instance of the surname Masson appears in France during the 13th century. In 1248, a Hugues Masson is mentioned in records from Angers, Maine-et-Loire department in western France. Over time, the name spread throughout France and eventually made its way to other countries as well.
The meaning of Masson has evolved over time, but it generally signifies "heap" or "mass". It's possible that this name was given to someone who worked with large quantities of goods, such as grain or flour, or perhaps referred to a person who lived near a hillock or mound.
Today, Masson is still predominantly found in France, but it has also become established in other countries around the world, including Canada, the United States, and Australia. Despite its French origins, the name can be found among people of various ethnicities and backgrounds.
While there are no specific celebrations or holidays associated with the surname Masson, it remains a proud and historic name carried by many families today. Its meaning may have shifted over time, but the spirit of strength and abundance that it once represented continues to resonate through generations.
The name Masson has seen a varied history of popularity over the past few decades in the United States, with fluctuations in the number of births each year.
In the late 1980s and early 1990s, the name Masson was given to around five to twelve babies annually. This trend continued until the mid-1990s when there was a notable increase, reaching nineteen births in 2009. This marked a significant peak for the name during this period.
However, the popularity of Masson began to decline again after 2009, with fewer than fifteen babies named Masson each year until 2014. There was another brief increase between 2014 and 2015, with twenty-two births in 2014 and thirteen in 2015.
Since then, the number of babies named Masson has stabilized around five to ten births per year, with recent years showing a slight decrease. In total, from 1987 to 2023, there have been 312 births registered as Masson in the United States.
Despite these fluctuations, it is clear that while Masson may not be one of the most popular names, it has maintained a consistent presence among newborns over the past few decades. Each baby named Masson contributes to the unique story of this name's journey through time.