USS Macomb was named in honor of Commodore William H. Macomb, USN, and his first cousin, Rear Admiral David B. Macomb, Chief Engineer, USN. Both were active during the civil war.

While attached to USS Genessee, Commodore W.H. Macomb, attempted the passage past rebel batteries at Port Hudson, 14 March 1863, and took part in almost daily engagements with rebel batteries along the Mississippi during April through June 1863. He commanded U.S. steamer Shamrock in the North Atlantic Blockading Squadron during 1864-1865, commanding the naval force in the capture of Plymouth, North Carolina. For his gallantry and energy as displayed in his operations in the North Atlantic Squadron, he was advanced several numbers in grade. Commodore Macomb was born in 1819, in Michigan, and died on 12 August 1872.

Rear Admiral Macomb was born near Tallahasee, Florida, in 1827. He was appointed as a Third Assistant Engineer in 1849. He served on board several vessels, and with the Ringgold exploring expedition to the North Pacific, China, and Japan Seas. He was with Commodore Perry's Fleet at the opening of Japan in 1853-1855. Admiral Macomb was with the first vessel of war on blockade duty off Charleston, South Carolina, and Pensacola, Florida, when the civil war began. In 1862-1863, he was ordered to special duty connected with building of the monitors Nahant and Canonicus, and was aboard the Canonicus during several battles. During a return voyage from Havana, Admiral Macomb personally saved the ironclad from foundering when one of the tiller ropes broke in a gale off Hatteras. At the risk of his own life, he dove four times under the counter and finally refastened the wire rope to the tiller. His inventions include the Macomb Bilge Strainer, still in use on ocean-going vessels, and the hydraulic lift in the turrets of ironclads. Admiral Macomb was placed on the retired list in 1899, after forty years of service. He died in 1911.