Surname Masker - Meaning and Origin
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Masker: What does the surname Masker mean?
The last name Masker is believed to be of German or Dutch origin and is thought to derive from the Old German word 'mascher'. This in turn is believed to come from 'magu or masgi' meaning "knife-wielder" or "sword-bearing". This suggests that the name holders were likely to be a family of swordsmen or soldiers.
The name also has some other possible meanings, including derived from a personal name, the Middle Dutch ‘Mascher’, a pet form of Masse, and the Middle Low German ‘Masger’, meaning 'maker of articles of metal'. This would indicate someone who was a craftsman.
Therefore, it is likely that the Masker family were either warriors or craftsmen at some stage in their history. Their name could be indicative of their professional abilities and it is possible that their name was also a result of their success. Over time, many of those with the family name Masker moved around Europe, making their presence known throughout the continent. The name also appears in records in many areas, including England, Scotland, and America.
The wider spread of the name Masker is striking, with individuals with the surname living around the world, particularly in America after 1600 and in Great Britain after 1700. The name is also thought to have arrived in Australia, Canada, France, Ireland, and New Zealand in subsequent centuries.
Order DNA origin analysisMasker: Where does the name Masker come from?
The last name Masker is most common today in the United States and Canada. It is a surname of German-American origin, likely derived from a family of those who moved to North America from Germany during and after the late 18th and 19th centuries. It is most common in the Canadian provinces of Ontario, British Columbia, and Alberta, and in the US states of Pennsylvania, Missouri, Michigan, and New York.
Some notable people with the surname Masker include author A.D. Masker, American football coach Larry Masker, and Major John Masker Lee of Cleveland, Ohio. A.D. Masker was the author of the book “Modern Carpet Making” published in 1899. He was a well-respected writer of technical books. Larry Masker was a college football coach from State College, Pennsylvania and coached the team to a 6-4 record in 1975. A bronze plaque with his likeness is displayed in the lobby of the Smithfield branch of the State College Public Library in memory of his service. Major John Masker Lee was an officer in the American Civil War and also served as a Justice of the Peace in Cleveland, Ohio.
Overall, the Masker family name does not appear to be a particularly common one. Most members of the Masker family are descendants of immigrants who made the journey to North America during the 19th century and are now spread across the US and Canada.
Variations of the surname Masker
Masker is a surname of French origin derived from the Old French word "mascier" meaning "to mask". It can be translated to mean "one who masks or conceals" or "someone who wears a mask". Variants and spellings of this surname include Maasker, Maske, Mascher, Mask, Masker, Masquer, Masquere, Massacher and Massaker.
The surname Masker is found mainly in the Netherlands, where it is quite popular and has numerous variants and spellings stemming from the same root. Other countries where it is frequently found include Germany, Austria, Canada, Belgium, France, United States, South America, Australia, United Kingdom, and Ireland.
Masker family names often evolved to various spellings over time, due to migrations, language preferences and other reasons. For instance, some variants of the surname in France are Mosquer, Masquer and Masqueray, while in Germany it appears as Mascher and Macher. Similarly, various English spellings evolved from Masker including - Mesker, Mazeckar, Mosker and Mistaker.
Furthermore, many members of the Masker family have also adopted other surnames. These may include Mousker, Muskar, Moesker, Mokkar, Moscar, Misker, Musker, Massecar, Miskurzh and Mashakkar among others.
Regardless of the spelling, the Masker family remains connected to its origins and has a long, rich history.
Famous people with the name Masker
- Emily Masker, award-winning interior design artist
- Katie Masker, actress and singer
- Frank Masker, former Major League Baseball pitcher
- John Masker, former National Hockey League player
- Dylan Masker, Canadian professional mixed martial artist
- Mary Masker, former US Secretary of Education
- Max Masker, Grammy-nominated songwriter and producer
- Amanda Masker, model, philanthropist and author
- Chad Masker, professional basketball player
- Steve Masker, four-time Emmy-awarded comedy writer