Re: origin of surnames Makein (scottish or german)
by Jim Young (guest)
10/2/2007, 11:47 AM
It would appear to be both. Certainly it is present in both countries today but not in large enough numbers to attract the attention of the surname experts. There were 37 Makeins in Germany in 2002, possibly even less in Scotland.
The family search database has lists instances of the name in: West Prussia (now Poland) in 1662; Staffordshire, England in 1696; Copenhagen, Denmark, 1744; and Fife, Scotland, in 1832. I'm guessing the Polish and Danish individuals were of ethnic German origin. The English example is probably another spelling of the English name Makin, which is thought to be from a diminutive of the given name Matthew. That could be the meaning of surname of the Scottish Makeins. Otherwise I've no idea of the meaning of the Scottish or the Germman name.