Show ContentsMacKson History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The surname MacKson is a habitation name, adopted from the name of the Parish of Maxton, in the Scottish Borders. The Parish name is believed to come from the "tun" or "homestead" of Maccus, believed to have been a Saxon settler, he is recorded as living in the area in 1116. The place name has appeared written as Mackeston, Mackiston, Maxston, Maxtun, Maccuston, Maxtoun and eventually as Maxton in 1580. 1

Early Origins of the MacKson family

The surname MacKson was first found in Roxburghshire, where they held a family seat in their territories. The Norman influence on Scottish history considerably influenced the crown and government in the period between King Malcolm Ceanmore (1058-1093) and King David (1124-1153). Many Norman nobles were either invited or escaped into Scotland following the example of Margeret, wife of Malcolm Ceanmore, who actively recruited these Normans to their court. Maccus, son of Undewyn was believed to have followed King David north and was granted the lands of Maxton. "About the year 1250 Adam de Makuston witnessed a charter by John de Normanville), and about the same period John, son of Philip de Mackuston, quitclaimed to the monks of Melrose the right of pastere in his territory. Adam de Maxton was elected abbot of Melrose in 1261." 1

Other early instances of the name include Adam de Macston, 17th Abbot of Melrose, and Peter of Makeston, who held a family seat in Huntingdon in 1200. Later Maxton passed to the Berkleys then to the Normanvilles.

Early History of the MacKson family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our MacKson research. Another 163 words (12 lines of text) covering the years 1285, 1296, 1725 and 1745 are included under the topic Early MacKson History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

MacKson Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Maxton, Maxtone, Mackston, Makston, Makeston, Maxston, Maxon, Mackson and many more.

Early Notables of the MacKson family

More information is included under the topic Early MacKson Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


United States MacKson migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

MacKson Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Noah Mackson, who settled in Rhode Island in 1812
  • Noah Mackson, aged 31, who arrived in Rhode Island in 1812 2


The MacKson Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Providus esto
Motto Translation: Be thou circumspect.


  1. Black, George F., The Surnames of Scotland Their Origin, Meaning and History. New York: New York Public Library, 1946. Print. (ISBN 0-87104-172-3)
  2. Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)


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