Meaning & History
Masi is an Italian surname that originated as a patronymic from the given name Maso, which is itself a short form of Tommaso, the Italian equivalent of Thomas. Thus, the surname Masi ultimately derives from the Aramaic name Teʾoma, meaning "twin."
The name appears predominantly in northern Italy, especially in the Veneto and Lombardy regions, where it may also exist in variant forms such as Masin. Like many Italian surnames ending in -i, Masi reflects the plural or collective form, often used to denote "descendants of Maso" or "family of Maso."
Through its root, the surname Masi shares a connection to the Apostle Thomas, known for his initial doubt of Christ's resurrection. The given name Thomas became widespread in Christian Europe due to saints such as Thomas Becket and Thomas Aquinas. However, as a surname, Masi is less common globally: according to the 2010 United States Census, Masi ranked 10,434th in frequency, with over 90% of bearers identified as White. Meanwhile, related surnames in other cultures include Tomov (Bulgarian), Tomić (Serbian), and Mašek (Czech), all of which derive from local forms of Thomas or Maso.
- Meaning: "twin" (ultimately from Aramaic Teʾoma)
- Origin: Italian patronymic surname
- Notable regions: Northern Italy (Veneto, Lombardy)
- Related forms: Masin (Italian variant), Tomov (Bulgarian), Tomić (Serbian), Mašek (Czech)
Related Names
Sources: Wiktionary — Masi