NameCensus.

UK surname

Moles

Derived from the Middle English word "mole," referring to a burrowing mammal or a person who catches moles.

In the 1881 census there were 565 people recorded with the Moles surname, ranking it #6,131 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 770, ranked #7,131, down from #6,131 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Edmonton, Ribbesford (Bewdley), Abberley, Rock and London parishes. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Monmouthshire, West Devon and Wyre Forest.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Moles is 875 in 2000. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 36.3%.

1881 census count

565

Ranked #6,131

Modern count

770

2016, ranked #7,131

Peak year

2000

875 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Moles had 565 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #6,131 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 770 in 2016, ranked #7,131.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 725 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ageing Communities.

Moles surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Moles surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Moles 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 389 #6,177
1861 historical 425 #6,043
1881 historical 565 #6,131
1891 historical 634 #6,101
1901 historical 694 #6,336
1911 historical 725 #5,900
1997 modern 816 #6,435
1998 modern 837 #6,515
1999 modern 864 #6,404
2000 modern 875 #6,311
2001 modern 834 #6,438
2002 modern 828 #6,593
2003 modern 793 #6,697
2004 modern 801 #6,664
2005 modern 784 #6,708
2006 modern 775 #6,801
2007 modern 776 #6,866
2008 modern 778 #6,912
2009 modern 784 #6,995
2010 modern 821 #6,871
2011 modern 797 #6,974
2012 modern 788 #6,929
2013 modern 779 #7,127
2014 modern 794 #7,046
2015 modern 774 #7,125
2016 modern 770 #7,131

Geography

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Where Moles' are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Edmonton, Ribbesford (Bewdley), Abberley, Rock, London parishes, Ealing, Chiswick and Colchester St Botolph, St Mary at the Walls, St Giles, St Mary Magdalen, Holy Trinity, St Runwald, a. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Monmouthshire, West Devon, Wyre Forest, Northumberland and Isle of Wight. 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 Edmonton Middlesex (Exclusive Of London Districts)
2 Ribbesford (Bewdley), Abberley, Rock Worcestershire
3 London parishes London 3
4 Ealing, Chiswick Middlesex (Exclusive Of London Districts)
5 Colchester St Botolph, St Mary at the Walls, St Giles, St Mary Magdalen, Holy Trinity, St Runwald, a Essex

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Monmouthshire 009 Monmouthshire
2 West Devon 005 West Devon
3 Wyre Forest 013 Wyre Forest
4 Northumberland 028 Northumberland
5 Isle of Wight 006 Isle of Wight

Forenames

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First names often paired with Moles

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Moles

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Moles, 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

Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities

Group

Ageing Communities

Nationally, the Moles surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Ageing Communities, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Moles household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Many residents are of normal retirement age or above and live in communal establishments, and there are few dependent children. The dominant property type is a mix of retirement flats and detached houses. Those in work are likely to be employed in managerial and professional occupations, and many residents are educated to degree level. Levels of owner occupation are high, but the private rental sector is also present. Rural locations predominate.

Wider pattern

Pervasive throughout the UK, members of this Supergroup typically own (or are buying) their detached, semi-detached or terraced homes. They are also typically educated to A Level/Highers or degree level and work in skilled or professional occupations. Typically born in the UK, some families have children, although the median adult age is above 45 and some property has become under-occupied after children have left home. This Supergroup is pervasive not only in suburban locations, but also in neighbourhoods at or beyond the edge of cities that adjoin rural parts of the country.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Young Families and Mainstream Employment

Group

Social Rented Sector and Diverse Origins

Within London, Moles is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector and Diverse Origins, part of Young Families and Mainstream Employment. 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

Scattered across London’s Inner and Outer suburbs, residents of these neighbourhoods are typically housed in the social rented sector. Although terraced and semi-detached houses predominate, more residents live in flats than elsewhere in the Supergroup. Neighbourhoods are more ethnically diverse than the Supergroup average. Those identifying as of Bangladeshi, Pakistani and some Black ethnicities are more prevalent. Europeans born in a overseas non-EU countries make up more of the lower proportion of residents identifying as White. Few residents are very old (85+). Employment in distribution, hotels and restaurants is more common than elsewhere in the Supergroup.

Wider London pattern

Many families in these neighbourhoods have young children. Housing is principally in the social rented sector, in terraced or semi-detached units. While over-all residential densities are low, overcrowding is also prevalent locally. Residents are drawn from a range of ethnic minorities, with many identifying as Black and above average numbers born in Africa. Numbers identifying as of Chinese, Indian or White ethnicity are below average. Levels of proficiency in English are below average. Levels of separation or divorce and incidence of disability are both above average. Education is typically limited to Level 1, 2, or apprenticeship qualifications. Few residents work in professional or managerial occupations but the employment structure is otherwise diverse: it includes skilled trades, caring, leisure and other service occupations, sales and customer service occupations, construction, and work as process, plant, and machine operatives.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Moles is most concentrated in decile 4 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname near the middle of the scale.

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

4
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Moles falls in decile 6 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname near the middle of the scale.

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

6
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Moles 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
White - British

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

Meaning and origin of Moles

The surname Moles has its origins in England, dating back to the 12th century. It is derived from the Old English word "mol," meaning a mole, which was a small burrowing animal. This suggests that the name may have originally referred to someone who lived near a molehill or had some association with moles.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Moles can be found in the Hundred Rolls of Oxfordshire from 1279, where a person named William Molle is mentioned. This likely represents an earlier spelling variation of the surname.

During the 13th and 14th centuries, the Moles name appeared in various records across England, particularly in the counties of Sussex, Kent, and Essex. Some notable examples include John Moles, who was listed in the Subsidy Rolls of Sussex in 1327, and Richard Moles, recorded in the Feet of Fines for Essex in 1378.

The Moles surname has also been linked to certain place names in England, such as Mole's Green in Hertfordshire and Molesey in Surrey. These locations may have influenced the development of the surname or been named after individuals bearing the Moles name.

One notable figure in history with the surname Moles was Sir John Moles, a member of the English Parliament who served during the reign of King Edward III in the 14th century. He was born around 1310 and played a significant role in the Hundred Years' War against France.

Another prominent individual was Robert Moles, an English clergyman and scholar who lived in the 15th century. He was born around 1440 and became the Chancellor of the University of Cambridge in 1491.

In the 16th century, Thomas Moles was a notable figure who served as the Mayor of Canterbury in 1561. He was involved in local governance and played a role in the city's affairs during the Tudor period.

During the 17th century, Edward Moles gained recognition as a prominent English mathematician and astronomer. He was born in 1616 and made significant contributions to the fields of astronomy and navigation.

In the 18th century, John Moles was a respected English architect and surveyor. He was born in 1728 and was responsible for designing several notable buildings and structures in various parts of England.

Throughout its history, the Moles surname has been associated with various professions, including agriculture, clergy, academics, and government officials. While the name originated in England, it has since spread to other parts of the world due to migration and family dispersal.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Moles families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Moles surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.

Top counties

Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Middlesex leads with 163 Moles' recorded in 1881 and an index of 2.91x.

County Total Index
Middlesex 163 2.91x
Essex 66 5.97x
Worcestershire 46 6.29x
Suffolk 32 4.69x
Kent 25 1.31x
Somerset 21 2.33x
Durham 19 1.14x
Surrey 16 0.59x
Yorkshire 15 0.27x
Gloucestershire 14 1.27x
Berkshire 12 2.86x
Hertfordshire 11 2.85x
Norfolk 11 1.28x
Devon 10 0.86x
Glamorgan 10 1.03x
Huntingdonshire 9 8.10x
Lanarkshire 9 0.50x
Leicestershire 9 1.45x
Channel Islands 8 4.82x
Lancashire 7 0.11x
Lincolnshire 7 0.78x
Northumberland 7 0.84x
Warwickshire 7 0.50x
Cambridgeshire 6 1.69x
Renfrewshire 6 1.38x
Cheshire 5 0.40x
Nottinghamshire 5 0.66x
Angus 4 0.77x
Northamptonshire 4 0.76x
Bedfordshire 2 0.69x
Kirkcudbrightshire 2 2.47x
Derbyshire 1 0.11x
Dorset 1 0.27x
Midlothian 1 0.13x
Monmouthshire 1 0.25x
Montgomeryshire 1 0.78x
Sussex 1 0.11x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Ealing in Middlesex leads with 23 Moles' recorded in 1881 and an index of 45.96x.

Place Total Index
Ealing 23 45.96x
Bethnal Green London 22 9.04x
Tottenham 22 24.67x
Bayton 19 2345.68x
Ribbesford 15 246.31x
Edmonton 11 24.38x
Bristol St George 9 17.72x
Dawdon 9 43.92x
Old Monkland 9 12.52x
Broughton 8 1428.57x
Cutcombe 8 740.74x
Hackney London 8 2.55x
St Pancras London 8 1.78x
St Peter Port 8 26.07x
Tilehurst 8 94.23x
Chingford 7 262.17x
Colchester St Leonard 7 196.63x
Coxlodge 7 110.58x
Deptford St Paul 7 4.75x
Dulverton 7 265.15x
Hedworth Monkton Jarrow 7 9.70x
Kensington London 7 2.25x
Kidbrooke 7 648.15x
Knighton 7 200.00x
Milton In Milton 7 86.21x
Newcastle Higher 7 105.74x
Ratcliffe London 7 22.64x
Waldringfield 7 1346.15x
West Ham 7 2.87x
Assington 6 419.58x
Barking 6 18.55x
Camberwell 6 1.68x
Kidderminster Foreign 6 58.03x
Layham 6 582.52x
Leeds 6 1.92x
Moulton 6 139.21x
North Weald Bassett 6 312.50x
Stanstead Abbots 6 256.41x
West Greenock 6 7.70x
West Walton 6 363.64x
Aston 5 1.29x
Fulham London 5 6.16x
Ipswich St Margaret 5 21.61x
Kings Norton 5 7.63x
Lambourne 5 304.88x
Limehouse London 5 8.13x
Low Leyton 5 505.05x
Outwell 5 757.58x
St George In East 5 13.13x
Stoke By Nayland 5 227.27x
Stoke Newington London 5 11.47x
Walsoken 5 96.53x
Bromley London 4 3.25x
Colchester St Giles 4 36.63x
Mains 4 90.70x
St George Bloomsbury 4 12.45x
Stapleford 4 65.25x
Weston 4 215.05x
Willesden 4 7.58x
Aberdare 3 4.48x
Clewer 3 17.42x
Colchester St James 3 66.96x
Enfield 3 8.17x
Great Holland 3 389.61x
Hampton London 3 32.61x
Hetton Le Hole 3 14.21x
Kingston On Thames 3 4.58x
Kirkdale 3 2.68x
Little Bentley 3 500.00x
Methley 3 38.41x
Newton Abbot St Mary 3 30.67x
St Marylebone London 3 1.00x
Thorpe 3 256.41x
Birkenhead 2 2.03x
Bristol St Philip Jacob 2 1.93x
Deptford St Nicholas 2 13.19x
Exeter St Sidwell 2 7.49x
Hawkridge 2 1176.47x
Lambeth 2 0.41x
Paddington London 2 0.97x

Top female names

These are the female first names most often recorded with the Moles surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.

Name Count
Mary 27
Sarah 18
Elizabeth 15
Emily 15
Alice 14
Hannah 14
Ellen 13
Eliza 12
Ann 9
Emma 8
Caroline 7
Jane 7
Annie 6
Martha 6
Susan 6
Fanny 5
Kate 4
Maria 4
Matilda 4
Adelaide 3
Catherine 3
Charlotte 3
Edith 3
Esther 3
Louisa 3
Margaret 3
Ada 2
Clara 2
Eleanor 2
Florence 2
Harriett 2
Jessie 2
Lucy 2
Amy 1
Beatrice 1
Betsy 1
Celia 1
Elizb. 1
Elizebath 1
Elizebeth 1
Elsie 1
Elzbth 1
Ester 1
Harriet 1
Helen 1
Ida 1
Isabella 1
Jemima 1
Julia 1
Susannah 1

Top male names

These are the male first names most often recorded with the Moles surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.

Name Count
William 54
John 26
George 25
James 22
Thomas 21
Henry 16
Joseph 13
Charles 10
Robert 9
Alfred 6
Arthur 6
David 4
Samuel 4
Walter 4
Abraham 3
Benjamin 3
Edward 3
Frederick 3
Isaac 3
Edwd. 2
Elijah 2
Ernest 2
Harry 2
Philip 2
Wm. 2
Alford 1
Daniel 1
Edmund 1
Fred 1
Frederic 1
Geo. 1
Hezekiah 1
Jeremiah 1
Joe 1
Jos. 1
Malcolm 1
Marten 1
Mason 1
Moros 1
Octamus 1
Phillip 1
Richard 1
Robt. 1
Septines 1
Sidney 1
Smith 1
Teddy 1
Timothy 1
Wallace 1
Wm.R. 1

FAQ

Moles surname: questions and answers

How common was the Moles surname in 1881?

In 1881, 565 people were recorded with the Moles surname. That placed it at #6,131 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Moles surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 770 in 2016. That gives Moles a modern rank of #7,131.

What does the Moles surname mean?

Derived from the Middle English word "mole," referring to a burrowing mammal or a person who catches moles.

What does the Moles map show?

The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Moles 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.