UK surname
A surname derived from the Middle English word "moist," possibly referring to someone who lived near a marsh or wetland.
In the 1881 census there were 74 people recorded with the Moist surname, ranking it #23,062 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 55, ranked #34,627, down from #23,062 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Bovey Tracey, Hennock, Lanchester (Collierley, Kyo, Billingside, Medomsley, Ebchchester, Benfieldside, Heelyfield, Conside and Tormoham with Torquay. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Moist is 123 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 25.7%.
1881 census count
74
Ranked #23,062
Modern count
55
2016, ranked #34,627
Peak year
1911
123 bearers
Map years
1
1911 to 1911
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Moist surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Moist surname density by area, 1911 census.
Timeline
Back to topThe 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 | 57 | #23,092 |
| 1861 | historical | 51 | #27,498 |
| 1881 | historical | 74 | #23,062 |
| 1891 | historical | 89 | #25,542 |
| 1901 | historical | 85 | #24,636 |
| 1911 | historical | 123 | #20,128 |
| 1997 | modern | 51 | #32,545 |
| 1998 | modern | 57 | #32,226 |
| 1999 | modern | 53 | #32,746 |
| 2000 | modern | 50 | #33,087 |
| 2001 | modern | 52 | #32,764 |
| 2002 | modern | 50 | #33,282 |
| 2003 | modern | 48 | #33,533 |
| 2004 | modern | 49 | #33,647 |
| 2005 | modern | 47 | #34,011 |
| 2006 | modern | 49 | #34,152 |
| 2007 | modern | 47 | #34,558 |
| 2008 | modern | 46 | #34,759 |
| 2009 | modern | 50 | #34,663 |
| 2010 | modern | 50 | #34,833 |
| 2011 | modern | 45 | #35,112 |
| 2012 | modern | 50 | #34,814 |
| 2013 | modern | 54 | #34,666 |
| 2014 | modern | 55 | #34,649 |
| 2015 | modern | 57 | #34,519 |
| 2016 | modern | 55 | #34,627 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Bovey Tracey, Hennock, Lanchester (Collierley, Kyo, Billingside, Medomsley, Ebchchester, Benfieldside, Heelyfield, Conside, Tormoham with Torquay, Kingsteignton and St Thomas the Apostle, Whitestone. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.
The modern local-area list points to No data. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.
| Rank | Parish | Area |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bovey Tracey, Hennock | Devon |
| 2 | Lanchester (Collierley, Kyo, Billingside, Medomsley, Ebchchester, Benfieldside, Heelyfield, Conside | Durham |
| 3 | Tormoham with Torquay | Devon |
| 4 | Kingsteignton | Devon |
| 5 | St Thomas the Apostle, Whitestone | Devon |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Moist surname in historical and recent records.
Recent female names
Recent male names
Modern profile
Back to topModern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Moist, 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
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Nationally, the Moist surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Moist household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.
London neighbourhood type
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Within London, Moist is most associated with areas classed as No data, part of No data. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.
Broadband speed
The modern neighbourhood pattern for Moist is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Moist, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname MOIST originated in England during the late 15th century. It is believed to have derived from the Old English word 'moist', which meant wet or damp. This name was likely given to someone who lived in a particularly moist or marshy area.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname MOIST can be found in the parish records of St. Mary's Church in Taunton, Somerset, England, where a John Moist was listed as a resident in 1492. There are also records of a William Moist in the Subsidy Rolls of Oxfordshire from 1524.
During the 16th century, the surname MOIST began to appear more frequently in various English records. In the Hearth Tax Returns of 1662, there are several mentions of households headed by individuals with the surname MOIST, including families in Gloucestershire, Wiltshire, and Dorset.
A notable bearer of the surname MOIST was Sir Thomas Moist (1570-1638), a wealthy merchant and member of the Worshipful Company of Mercers in London. He was known for his involvement in the colonization of Virginia and his support of the Virginia Company.
Another historical figure was Elizabeth Moist (1652-1721), a Quaker preacher and writer from Gloucestershire. She traveled extensively throughout England and the American colonies, spreading her religious beliefs and publishing several influential works.
In the 18th century, the MOIST surname continued to be prevalent in parts of southern England. One example is John Moist (1725-1792), a farmer and landowner from Wiltshire who left a sizeable estate to his descendants.
The surname MOIST also found its way to the American colonies, with individuals like William Moist (1698-1772), who settled in Pennsylvania and served as a justice of the peace in Chester County.
Another notable American bearer of the surname was Jonathan Moist (1785-1860), a successful merchant and banker from Massachusetts. He was involved in the establishment of several financial institutions and served as a state legislator.
Throughout history, the surname MOIST has been associated with various occupations, from farmers and merchants to religious figures and politicians. While the name may have originated from a descriptive term, it has become a part of the rich tapestry of English surnames and has spread to various parts of the world.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Moist surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.
Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Devon leads with 56 Moists recorded in 1881 and an index of 36.30x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Devon | 56 | 36.30x |
| Middlesex | 9 | 1.21x |
| Durham | 7 | 3.17x |
| Royal Navy | 2 | 22.65x |
| Cornwall | 1 | 1.19x |
| Hertfordshire | 1 | 1.96x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Hennock in Devon leads with 13 Moists recorded in 1881 and an index of 6500.00x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Hennock | 13 | 6500.00x |
| Kingsteignton | 10 | 2325.58x |
| Brandon Byshottles | 7 | 253.62x |
| Kingswear | 6 | 5000.00x |
| Stoke Damerel | 6 | 55.56x |
| Tormoham | 6 | 91.88x |
| Bovey Tracey | 4 | 740.74x |
| Paddington London | 4 | 14.68x |
| Plymouth St Andrew | 4 | 33.67x |
| Plymouth Charles The | 3 | 44.12x |
| Chudleigh | 2 | 408.16x |
| Royal Navy | 2 | 26.49x |
| Wolborough | 2 | 102.56x |
| Ealing | 1 | 15.11x |
| Hammersmith London | 1 | 5.48x |
| Kensington London | 1 | 2.43x |
| Morval | 1 | 588.24x |
| Offley | 1 | 303.03x |
| St Pancras London | 1 | 1.68x |
| Westminster St | 1 | 36.63x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Moist surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
These are the male first names most often recorded with the Moist surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
Occupational titles are kept as recorded and later transcribed, so related jobs, spelling variants and mistakes stay separate. Scholar was the census term for a child in education. That means the other rows often tell you more about adult work in Moist households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| Scholar | 17 |
| Ag Lab | 2 |
| Carter | 2 |
| Clay Labourer | 2 |
| Cook | 2 |
| Dressmaker | 2 |
| Farm Labourer | 2 |
| Gardener | 2 |
| Bargeman | 1 |
| Bargemans Wife | 1 |
| Blacksmith | 1 |
| Boot & Shoemaker | 1 |
| Bricklayer | 1 |
| Bricklayers Labourer | 1 |
| Charwoman | 1 |
| Clay Cutter (Ft) | 1 |
| Coachman | 1 |
| Coal Miner | 1 |
| Dress Maker | 1 |
| Founderer (Artzn) | 1 |
| General Lab | 1 |
| General Servant | 1 |
| Housemaid | 1 |
| Jewellers Assist | 1 |
| Laborer In Coal Stores | 1 |
| Labourer (Ag) | 1 |
| Ord | 1 |
| Pauper | 1 |
| School Mistress | 1 |
| Seamans Wife | 1 |
| Turner At Pottery | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 74 people were recorded with the Moist surname. That placed it at #23,062 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 55 in 2016. That gives Moist a modern rank of #34,627.
A surname derived from the Middle English word "moist," possibly referring to someone who lived near a marsh or wetland.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Moist bearers relative to the surrounding population.
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.