This interesting and long-established surname recorded in many spelling forms including Macun, Machin, Mason, and Masson is of pre 10th century French origins. It is job descriptive for a skilled stone mason and a member of the ancient guild of Masons. It was introduced into England after the Norman Conquest of 1066, the derivation being from the word "machun". Job-descriptive surnames originally denoted the actual occupation of the namebearer, and only later became hereditary, if the son continued in the fathers occupation. Early examples of the name recording include: Roger le Mason in the Cartulary of Oseney Abbey, Oxfordshire in the year 1200; Adam le Machon in the 1279 Assize Court Rolls of Northumberland; and Richard Machen in the 1284 Assize Court Rolls of Staffordshire. ecordings of the surname from English church registers include: the marriage of Kinborne Machin and Edward Garland on July 12th 1562, at St. Dunstan's in the East, London; and the christening of Mary, the daughter of Matthew and Jane Mochan, in 1803, at West Gate Presbyterian, Wakefield, Yorkshire. The first recorded spelling of the family name is believed to be that of John Macun. This was dated 1130, in the "Ancient Charters of London", during the reign of King Henry 1, known as "The Lion of Justice", 1100 - 1135. Throughout the centuries, surnames in every country have continued to "develop" often leading to astonishing variants of the original spelling.

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