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Macias or more commonly Macías, is a Spanish surname found to varying degrees in Europe and Latin America. Within Spain, it can be found in the northwestern regions of Spain, specifically Galicia and Leon.
There is no singular theory as to the origin of Macías. A long-standing argument over its origin revolves around whether or not it is of a Sephardi origin. Some argue that Macías originates from the Spanish version of the Hebraic term for the Messiah, while others hold that Macías (pronounced Ma-thi-as within Spain) actually is the Spanish version of the Biblical name, Matias or Matthew. Given that the Sephardim used surnames that were in many cases identical to those of their Gentile neighbors, it can be reasoned that certain Macías members were Sephardi without the surname Macias being exclusively Sephardi.
According to Woodward (with reference to the Heraldic coat of arms): "Dice, Cards, and other Instruments of Amusement.--Gules, three dice in perspective argent, marked (for six in front, three on the sinister side, two on the top) sable, is the coat of Mathias in England; of a family of the same name in France, and of Quintana in Spain. For the former families the allusion is clear to the 'lot' cast by which St. Matthias was chosen to the office of the Apostolate. Macías, in Spain, similarly bears: Gules, six dice (two, two, and two) all marked for sixes sabel (Piferrer, Nobiliario de España, vol. ii., No. 1113)."[1]
Some variations of Macias include Masias, Masías, Matias, Matías, Mathias, Matthias, Mathías, Massias, Massías, Mesias, Mesías.
References
- ^ Woodward, John. A Treatise in Heraldry: British and Foreign, with English and French Glossaries. London: W. & A. K. Johnston, 1896. p. 403.
People with surname
- Saint Juan Macias, 17th century Spanish Dominican, died in Peru
- Manuel Macías y Casado, Spanish general, governor of Puerto Rico
- Macías O Namorado (Macías the Enamoured), a 14th Century Galician troubadour
- Francisco Macías Nguema
- Mario Macías, Scientific Researcher
- Alonso de Macías, Spanish conquistador
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