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- Douglas MacArthur § (1880–1964) – military leader, born in Arkansas, but always considered Norfolk his home town. Buried in Norfolk.
- Vernon Macklin (born 1986) – power forward for the Detroit Pistons
- Shirley MacLaine (born 1934) – actress and author
- Scott Mactavish (born 1965) – filmmaker and author
- James Madison (1751–1836) – 4th President of the United States, co-author of Federalist Papers, "father of the United States Constitution"
- William Mahone (1826–1895) – Confederate States of America general, founder of Norfolk and Western Railroad, now Norfolk Southern
- John Maine (born 1981) – Pitcher for the New York Mets, Born in Fredericksburg, graduated from North Stafford High school
- Moses Malone (born 1955) – former NBA star, Basketball Hall of Famer
- Aimee Mann – musician (Midlothian/Richmond area)
- Sally Mann (born 1951) – photographer (Lexington)
- Charlie Manuel § (born 1944) – manager of the Philadelphia Phillies
- Chris Marion § (born 1962) – musician, member of classic rock band Little River Band
- George Marshall § (1880–1959) – U.S. Army officer, World War II military leader, Secretary of Defense, author of the Marshall Plan and winner of Nobel Peace Prize(graduate of Virginia Military Institute)
- John Marshall – lawyer, statesman, and third Chief Justice of the United States Supreme Court
- Sean Marshall – professional baseball player; relief pitcher, Cincinnati Reds
- David Martin § – tight end for the Buffalo Bills
- George Mason (1725–1792) – politician, author of the Virginia Declaration of Rights
- Debbie Matenopoulos – television co-host
- Dave Matthews § (born 1967) – musician, frontman of Dave Matthews Band (has lived most of his adult life in Charlottesville)
- Matthew Fontaine Maury (1806–1873) – U.S. Navy officer, astronomer, historian, oceanographer, meteorologist, cartographer, geologist, educator
- Jerod Mayo (born 1986) – linebacker for the New England Patriots
- Jayma Mays (born 1979) – actress, Emma Pillsbury on Glee
- John McAfee§ (born 1945) - software engineer for NASA, Computer Sciences Corporation, and Lockheed, known for McAfee antivirus software
- Danny McBride (born 1976) – actor, best known for his character Kenny Powers on "Eastbound and Down" (Fredericksburg)
- John McCain § (born 1936) – U.S. Senator from Arizona and 2008 Republican nominee for President (attended Episcopal High School)
- John McCargo (born 1983) – NFL defensive tackle for the Buffalo Bills
- Dagen McDowell – anchor on the Fox Business Network and correspondent for the Fox News Channel
- Michael McGlothlin (born 1951) – former President of the School of Pharmacy, politician, and activist
- William Holmes McGuffey § (1800–1873) – creator of McGuffey Readers (spent his later years as a professor at the University of Virginia)
- Billy McMullen – UVA standout football player now playing for the Minnesota Vikings
- Jesse McReynolds – Bluegrass musician, mandolin player
- Joseph Meek (1810–1875) – explorer and fur trader
- Philip B. Meggs – design historian, author of Meggs' History of Graphic Design
- Joey Mercury (born 1979) – former WWE Superstar
- Blaine Miller (born 1991) – actor
- Heath Miller (born 1982) – NFL tight end for Pittsburgh Steelers
- Judson Mills § (born 1969) – actor, Francis Gage on Walker, Texas Ranger
- Arthur Moats (born 1988) – NFL linebacker for the Buffalo Bills
- James Monroe (1758–1831) – 5th President of the United States, namesake of Monroe Doctrine
- John Montague (born 1947) MLB Pitcher who played for the Expos, Phillies, Mariners & Angels.
- Jim Moody (born 1949) – actor
- Lottie Moon (1840–1912) – Christian missionary to China
- Jim Morrison § (1943–1971) – singer and songwriter for The Doors, born in Florida; attended and graduated from high school in Alexandria
- Mark Morton – guitarist (Lamb of God)
- John Singleton Mosby (1833–1916) Edgemont; "The Gray Ghost", Confederate cavalry commander
- Alonzo Mourning (born 1970) – NBA star
- Jason Mraz (born 1977) – musician
- Dermot Mulroney (born 1963) – actor, My Best Friend's Wedding
- Lon Myers (1858–1899) - sprinter, world records (quarter-mile, 100-yards, 440-yards, and 880-yards)
- Mickie James (born 1979) - professional wrestler, and musician.
- Mohammed Ahmed (born 1998) - Student in Bahrain in Al Noor International School
Read more about this topic: List Of People From Virginia