Makinson is a surname. Notable people with the surname include:
Carolyn Makinson, former executive director of the Women’s Refugee Commission
David Makinson, D.Phil, (born 1941), Australian mathematical logician living in London, England
David Makinson (cricketer) (born 1961), former English cricketer
Jessica Makinson, American actress, comedian, and improviser
John Makinson, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the international publishing company The Penguin Group
Joseph Makinson (born 1836), English amateur cricketer who played first-class cricket from 1856 to 1873
Rachel Makinson, Australian scientist
Richard Makinson (1913–1979), Australian physicist who contributed to the understanding of thermal conductivity in crystals
Thomas Makinson (born 1991), professional English rugby league player
Thomas Cooper Makinson (born 1809), Anglican minister, missionary, seceded to the Church of Rome
Henry Massey Makinson (born 1840), Senior founding partner of the legal firm Makinson D'Apice, and one of the founders of the Law Institute of New South Wales