NameCensus.

UK surname

Mo

A Chinese surname meaning "silent, profound, or tranquil," or referring to the millstone used for grinding grain.

In the 1881 census there were 11 people recorded with the Mo surname, ranking it #32,081 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 766, ranked #7,167, up from #32,081 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Derby, Sunderland and Dudley.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Mo is 766 in 2016. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 6863.6%.

1881 census count

11

Ranked #32,081

Modern count

766

2016, ranked #7,167

Peak year

2016

766 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • Mo had 11 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #32,081 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 766 in 2016, ranked #7,167.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 11 in 1881.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Established Multi-Ethnic Communities.

Mo surname distribution map

The map shows where the Mo surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.

Distribution map

Mo surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Mo over time

The table below tracks recorded surname counts and rank from the 19th-century census years through the modern adult-register period.

Year Period Count Rank
1851 historical 1 #33,412
1881 historical 11 #32,081
1901 historical 1 #34,548
1997 modern 442 #10,209
1998 modern 460 #10,232
1999 modern 487 #9,866
2000 modern 509 #9,504
2001 modern 504 #9,413
2002 modern 535 #9,178
2003 modern 542 #8,947
2004 modern 547 #8,897
2005 modern 563 #8,650
2006 modern 568 #8,626
2007 modern 573 #8,644
2008 modern 582 #8,612
2009 modern 590 #8,699
2010 modern 627 #8,493
2011 modern 628 #8,384
2012 modern 670 #7,877
2013 modern 688 #7,838
2014 modern 699 #7,777
2015 modern 717 #7,580
2016 modern 766 #7,167

Geography

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Where Mos are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around No data. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Derby, Sunderland, Dudley and City Centre East. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.

Some modern areas include a three-digit suffix, such as Leeds 110. The suffix is a small-area code, so it stays in the table while the prose uses the plain place name.

Top historical parishes

Rank Parish Area
1 No data No data

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Derby 002 Derby
2 Derby 019 Derby
3 Sunderland 033 Sunderland
4 Dudley 041 Dudley
5 City Centre East Glasgow City

Forenames

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First names often paired with Mo

These lists show first names that appear often with the Mo surname in historical and recent records.

Historical female names

No Forenames Found

Historical male names

No Forenames Found

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Mo

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Mo, this points to the kinds of places where the surname is most concentrated today.

These neighbourhood labels describe areas, not individual people. They are useful because surnames often cluster through family history, migration, housing patterns and local work. A surname can be strongest in one type of neighbourhood even when people with that name live across the country.

The UK classification gives the national picture. The London classification is more specific to the capital, where housing, age profile, tenure and population mix can look quite different from the rest of the UK.

UK neighbourhood type

UK Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Low-Skilled Migrant and Student Communities

Group

Established Multi-Ethnic Communities

Nationally, the Mo surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Established Multi-Ethnic Communities, within Low-Skilled Migrant and Student Communities. This does not mean every Mo household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Parents and young children in this Group are drawn from diverse ethnic backgrounds in broadly similar proportions. Employment is typically in elementary occupations, though workers in professional, intermediate or skilled trades occupations are also present. The residential landscape is dominated by terraced housing, although semi-detached houses and flats are also present. This Group is found in London and in many provincial towns and cities throughout the U.K.

Wider pattern

Young adults, many of whom are students, predominate in these high-density and overcrowded neighbourhoods of rented terrace houses or flats. Most ethnic minorities are present in these communities, as are people born in European countries that are not part of the EU. Students aside, low skilled occupations predominate, and unemployment rates are above average. Overall, the mix of students and more sedentary households means that neighbourhood average numbers of children are not very high. The Mixed or Multiple ethnic group composition of neighbourhoods is often associated with low rates of affiliation to Christian religions. This Supergroup predominates in non-central urban locations the UK, particularly within England in the Midlands and the outskirts of west, south and north-east London.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Social Rented Sector Families with Children

Group

Social Rented Sector Pockets

Within London, Mo is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector Pockets, part of Social Rented Sector Families with Children. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Found in pockets across London, residents are less likely to live in private sector rentals and fewer adults are students. Fewer individuals work in transport and communications occupations relative to the Supergroup average. More individuals identify as Black and were born in Africa.

Wider London pattern

Residents of these neighbourhoods include sizable numbers identifying with ethnicities originating outside Europe, particularly in Africa or Bangladesh. The proportion of residents identifying as White, Indian or Pakistani is well below the London average. Neighbourhood age profiles are skewed towards younger adults, and above average numbers of families have children. Rates of use of English at home are below average. Marriage rates are low, and levels of separation or divorce are above average. Housing is predominantly in flats, and renting in the social rented sector the norm - few residents are owner occupiers. Housing is often overcrowded, and neighbourhoods are amongst the most densely populated in London. Disability rates are above average, although levels of unpaid care provision are about average. Employment is in caring, leisure, other service occupations, sales and customer service, or process, plant, and machine operation. Part time working and full-time student study are common. Levels of unemployment are slightly above average. Most residents have only Level 1 or 2 educational qualifications or have completed apprenticeships.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Mo is most concentrated in decile 10 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the healthier end of the index.

Lower deciles point towards weaker access to healthy assets or stronger exposure to local hazards. Higher deciles point towards stronger access and fewer hazards.

10
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Mo falls in decile 2 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the more deprived end of the index.

Decile 1 represents the more deprived end of the scale. Decile 10 represents the less deprived end.

2
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Mo is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 30-40 mbit/s.

The scale below places that band in context, from slower local download bands through to faster ones.

6
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
Asian - Chinese

This describes the area pattern most associated with Mo, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Mo

The surname "Mo" has its origins in China and is believed to have derived from the Chinese word "mo", which means "ink" or "inky". This name is predominantly found in regions such as Guangdong, Fujian, and Hong Kong.

One of the earliest recorded instances of this surname dates back to the Tang Dynasty (618-907 AD), where it was mentioned in various historical texts and records. During this period, the surname was often written using different Chinese characters but had similar pronunciations.

In the Song Dynasty (960-1279 AD), the name "Mo" gained prominence and was associated with several notable figures. One such individual was Mo Zi (470-391 BC), an influential Chinese philosopher who founded the school of Mohism. His teachings focused on utilitarianism, impartial care, and the "Will of Heaven".

Another notable bearer of the surname was Mo Yan (born 1955), a Chinese novelist and the recipient of the 2012 Nobel Prize in Literature. His works, including "Red Sorghum" and "The Garlic Ballads", explored the complexities of contemporary Chinese society and rural life.

During the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644 AD), the name "Mo" was associated with various places and locations. For instance, Mo Village (摩村) in Guangdong Province was a prominent settlement for those bearing this surname. Additionally, the name "Moxian" (摩线), meaning "inky line", was used to refer to certain calligraphic styles and techniques.

In the Qing Dynasty (1644-1912 AD), the surname "Mo" continued to be prevalent, with several influential figures emerging. One such individual was Mo Longguang (1768-1832), a renowned painter and calligrapher known for his innovative techniques and unique style.

Throughout history, the surname "Mo" has been carried by numerous individuals, including Mo Xiong (born 1984), a Chinese professional basketball player; Mo Zi (470-391 BC), the founder of Mohism; Mo Longguang (1768-1832), the renowned painter and calligrapher; Mo Yan (born 1955), the Nobel Prize-winning novelist; and Mo Shaoping (born 1939), a Chinese lawyer and human rights activist.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

FAQ

Mo surname: questions and answers

How common was the Mo surname in 1881?

In 1881, 11 people were recorded with the Mo surname. That placed it at #32,081 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Mo surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 766 in 2016. That gives Mo a modern rank of #7,167.

What does the Mo surname mean?

A Chinese surname meaning "silent, profound, or tranquil," or referring to the millstone used for grinding grain.

What does the Mo map show?

The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Mo bearers relative to the surrounding population.

What records is this surname page based on?

The historical counts come from census surname records. The modern counts and neighbourhood summaries come from later surname distribution records. Counts are recorded bearers in those records, not a live estimate of everyone with the name today.