UK surname
An English surname derived from the word "mole," referring to someone with a mole or birthmark.
In the 1881 census there were 28 people recorded with the Moley surname, ranking it #29,646 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 23, ranked #36,457, down from #29,646 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Prestbury, Newcastle All Saints and Manchester. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Moley is 167 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 17.9%.
1881 census count
28
Ranked #29,646
Modern count
23
2016, ranked #36,457
Peak year
1861
167 bearers
Map years
2
1861 to 1891
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Moley surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Moley surname density by area, 1891 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 | 72 | #20,720 |
| 1861 | historical | 167 | #13,956 |
| 1881 | historical | 28 | #29,646 |
| 1891 | historical | 103 | #23,558 |
| 1901 | historical | 20 | #31,803 |
| 1911 | historical | 37 | #29,263 |
| 1997 | modern | 26 | #35,135 |
| 1998 | modern | 17 | #36,240 |
| 1999 | modern | 24 | #35,514 |
| 2000 | modern | 21 | #35,799 |
| 2001 | modern | 19 | #35,866 |
| 2002 | modern | 16 | #36,267 |
| 2003 | modern | 18 | #36,115 |
| 2004 | modern | 18 | #36,245 |
| 2005 | modern | 17 | #36,407 |
| 2006 | modern | 17 | #36,517 |
| 2007 | modern | 17 | #36,628 |
| 2008 | modern | 18 | #36,607 |
| 2009 | modern | 16 | #36,850 |
| 2010 | modern | 16 | #36,937 |
| 2011 | modern | 21 | #36,502 |
| 2012 | modern | 24 | #36,288 |
| 2013 | modern | 24 | #36,344 |
| 2014 | modern | 23 | #36,417 |
| 2015 | modern | 22 | #36,493 |
| 2016 | modern | 23 | #36,457 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Prestbury, Newcastle All Saints, Manchester, Brancepeth and Glasgow. 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 | Prestbury | Cheshire |
| 2 | Newcastle All Saints | Northumberland |
| 3 | Manchester | Lancashire |
| 4 | Brancepeth | Durham |
| 5 | Glasgow | Lanark |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Moley 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 Moley, 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 Moley surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Moley 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, Moley 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 Moley is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Moley, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Moley has its origins in France, with records dating back to the Middle Ages. The name is believed to be derived from the Old French word "molet," meaning "little hill" or "mound," suggesting that the family may have lived near a small hillock or mound.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, a survey of landowners commissioned by William the Conqueror. In this document, a person named Radulfus Molei is listed as a landowner in Dorset, England.
By the 13th century, the name had spread to various regions of France, with variations in spelling such as Mollet, Mollé, and Molley appearing in historical records. One notable bearer of the name was Jean Molet, a French theologian and philosopher who lived from 1279 to 1351 and served as the Chancellor of the University of Paris.
As the name migrated to other parts of Europe, it evolved further, with variations like Moly and Molley emerging in England and Scotland. One of the earliest recorded instances of the name in Scotland can be found in the 15th century, when a William Moley is mentioned in the Exchequer Rolls of Scotland in 1456.
In the 16th century, the name gained prominence with the Scottish philosopher and writer, Andrew Moley (1525-1590), who was a prominent figure in the Scottish Reformation. His works, including "The Anatomy of the Soul" and "A Defence of the Catholic Faith," had a significant impact on the intellectual landscape of the time.
Another notable individual with the surname Moley was the English poet and dramatist, John Moley (1592-1655), who was a contemporary of William Shakespeare and Ben Jonson. His works, such as "The Lover's Melancholy" and "The Fancies Chaste and Noble," explored themes of love, melancholy, and the human condition.
In the 18th century, the name resurfaced in the United States, with the arrival of immigrants from various parts of Europe. One noteworthy bearer of the name was Samuel Moley (1765-1846), a merchant and landowner in Virginia who played a role in the early economic development of the state.
While the surname Moley has its roots in France and has been present in various parts of Europe for centuries, it has also found its way to other parts of the world through migration and cultural exchange. The name continues to be carried on by individuals, each with their own unique stories and connections to this ancient surname.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Moley 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. Durham leads with 7 Moleys recorded in 1881 and an index of 8.62x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Durham | 7 | 8.62x |
| Warwickshire | 5 | 7.27x |
| Lancashire | 4 | 1.24x |
| Middlesex | 4 | 1.47x |
| Leicestershire | 2 | 6.61x |
| Yorkshire | 2 | 0.74x |
| Berkshire | 1 | 4.88x |
| Dorset | 1 | 5.58x |
| Lanarkshire | 1 | 1.13x |
| Surrey | 1 | 0.75x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Birmingham in Warwickshire leads with 5 Moleys recorded in 1881 and an index of 21.81x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Birmingham | 5 | 21.81x |
| Bishop Auckland | 4 | 366.97x |
| Bootle Cum Linacre | 4 | 155.64x |
| Hedworth Monkton Jarrow | 3 | 85.23x |
| Blackfordby | 2 | 2000.00x |
| Clerkenwell London | 2 | 31.06x |
| Charmouth | 1 | 1666.67x |
| Cliff Cum Lund | 1 | 1666.67x |
| Glasgow | 1 | 6.38x |
| Mile End Old Town | 1 | 23.20x |
| Nether Hallam | 1 | 27.32x |
| St Martin In Fields | 1 | 61.35x |
| Stanford In Vale | 1 | 1250.00x |
| Thursley | 1 | 1000.00x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Moley 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 Moley 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 Moley households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| General Labourer | 3 |
| 8 Horse Breaker | 1 |
| Assurance Agent | 1 |
| B Layers Lab | 1 |
| Coke Drawer | 1 |
| Domestic Serv | 1 |
| Domestic Servant | 1 |
| Dressmaker | 1 |
| Gun Filer | 1 |
| Income From Real & Personal Property | 1 |
| Medical Student | 1 |
| Potter | 1 |
| Potters Wife | 1 |
| Servant | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 28 people were recorded with the Moley surname. That placed it at #29,646 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 23 in 2016. That gives Moley a modern rank of #36,457.
An English surname derived from the word "mole," referring to someone with a mole or birthmark.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Moley 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.