Surname Macomber - Meaning and Origin

Macomber: What does the surname Macomber mean?

The last name Macomber is of Anglo-Saxon origin and has a complex interpretation. It could potentially derive from the Old French words, "maquer" and "aumbre", translating to "macquer" meaning to bruise or malt and "aumbre" meaning a measure or bushel. So, one possible interpretation could be 'a malt-measurer', an occupation in medieval times for someone who measured and valued malt.

It could also possibly have originated from a place name like Macclesfield or from the Israeli King Macabbee. The name Macabbee stands for the Hebrew "matityah", which means gift of God and was often Anglicized to Matthew in English.

Another interpretation could be from the Gaelic word, "MacAmhalghaidh", which means son of Amhalghaidh. It is worth mentioning that the name can be spelled differently, such as MacCumber, Maccumber, Macomber, and others.

However, because surnames were often attached based on someone's geographical location, occupation, or a descriptive characteristic, the exact meaning could differ based on historical context and region of origin. Hence, there might not be a definitive translation for the surname Macomber.

Macomber: Where does the name Macomber come from?

The surname Macomber is of Anglo-Saxon origin and is believed to have been initially used in the medieval times in Britain. The name is thought to derive from two Old English words "macian" meaning 'to make' and "beorg" meaning 'a hill or mound', suggesting the name might have been connected to men who made mounds or even possibly barrows (burial mounds).

It is not a very common surname today. According to recent census data, the surname Macomber is most prevalent in the United States, particularly in the northeast around the Massachusetts area. This makes sense considering that the regions of New England are known for being settled by individuals of British descent during the colonial period. There's even a small town called Macomber Corner in Massachusetts. The name is also found, though less frequently, in England, reflecting its roots. Looking at current distribution, it is safe to say that a large majority of people bearing the Macomber surname now live in the United States.

Variations of the surname Macomber

The surname Macomber originated from the Anglicized form of a Gaelic name, strong Scottish roots being implied. Hence, there are numerous variants related to the spelling across different cultures and geographical locations, especially where Scottish and Irish immigrants settled.

Some of the key variants include MacCumber, McComber, Macomber, Maccumber, McComber and Mccomber. Incorporating the prefix 'Mac' or 'Mc' shows the Gaelic origin of this name, which translates to 'son of’ followed by a personal name, occupation, or characteristic.

Other less common variations that are harder to find might include phonetically similar names due to mispronunciation or incorrect transcription like Maccomber, Mackomber, or Makomber.

The components of the name could have different orders or be separated by a hyphen or a space like Comber Mac or Comber-Mac. Sometimes the prefix might be omitted entirely, leading to variants like Comber or Cumber. Name variants can be broad and diverse due to shifts in language, immigration, integration, and pronunciation.

It should be noted that the frequency and distribution of these variants can vary greatly, with some being quite common and others extremely rare.

Famous people with the name Macomber

• Reed Macomber, former professional ice hockey player
• Janice Macomber, professional dancer
• Emily Macomber, prolific author, poet, and public speaker
• Douglas Macomber, American politician and long-time U.S. Congressman
• Peter Macomber, Founding Director of Kleiner Perkins Caufield and Byers and Silicon Valley venture capitalist
• Helen Macomber, Academy Award-winning actress
• Martin Macomber, Grammy Award-winning musician and composer
• Paul Macomber, Grammy Award-nominated producer
• Harold Macomber, celebrated World War I Army general
• Robert Macomber, naval historian and fiction author

Other surnames

MacombMacombe