Macomber
An American surname of uncertain origin, likely an altered form of a Gaelic-style Mac name, long established in New England.
The #8,201 most common surname in the United States (2010 Census) — about 1 in every 76,290 Americans shares it.
Etymology
The name Macomber is not securely explained in the older surname books, and the excerpts provided only show it as an established name in New England, not as a fully analyzed entry. It may be an altered spelling of a Gaelic patronymic beginning with Mac- (“son of”), but the second element is unclear and could reflect anglicization, local pronunciation, or later spelling change. Because the surviving evidence is thin, the literal original meaning cannot be stated confidently.
History
In the 19th century the name is already noted as present in Boston and Massachusetts, suggesting an early New England foothold. Later bearers helped make it familiar in the northeastern United States, where it remains most strongly associated. The name’s exact source form was probably obscured by spelling variation after immigration and generations of English-language use.
Origin
Regions
Variant spellings
Fun fact
An early Massachusetts example in the supplied excerpt is the phrase “Venus Macomber,” showing the surname in use by the mid-19th century.
From the historical record
“as a Christian name ; but I do find Lovey and Venus. Venus, in one case, is the Christian name of a man : thus. Wealthy, widow of Venus Macomber, died at Berkley, May 11, 1859. We have Mr. Amor Hol- LINGS WORTH. Mrs. IsABiNDA Wyman, of Massachusetts, died at”
— Suffolk Surnames (3rd ed.)