NameCensus.

UK surname

Moll

A surname of German origin, derived from a shortened form of a personal name beginning with "Mold-".

In the 1881 census there were 283 people recorded with the Moll surname, ranking it #10,119 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 418, ranked #11,472, down from #10,119 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to London parishes, St Pancras and South Walsham St Mary and St Lawrence. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Cannock Chase, Leeds and East Riding of Yorkshire.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Moll is 439 in 2013. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 47.7%.

1881 census count

283

Ranked #10,119

Modern count

418

2016, ranked #11,472

Peak year

2013

439 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Moll had 283 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #10,119 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 418 in 2016, ranked #11,472.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 393 in 1891.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Moll surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Moll surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Moll 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 227 #9,448
1861 historical 306 #8,296
1881 historical 283 #10,119
1891 historical 393 #8,995
1901 historical 349 #10,457
1911 historical 384 #9,571
1997 modern 404 #10,931
1998 modern 423 #10,899
1999 modern 436 #10,738
2000 modern 421 #10,984
2001 modern 419 #10,835
2002 modern 424 #10,950
2003 modern 419 #10,875
2004 modern 409 #11,095
2005 modern 415 #10,878
2006 modern 419 #10,837
2007 modern 420 #10,943
2008 modern 420 #11,033
2009 modern 422 #11,221
2010 modern 432 #11,262
2011 modern 412 #11,593
2012 modern 428 #11,092
2013 modern 439 #11,052
2014 modern 432 #11,287
2015 modern 419 #11,483
2016 modern 418 #11,472

Geography

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Where Molls are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around London parishes, St Pancras, South Walsham St Mary and St Lawrence, Alne and Lakenham , Eaton St Andrew, Town Close, St Stephen, St Peter Mancroft, St Giles, St Andrew, St John. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Cannock Chase, Leeds, East Riding of Yorkshire, East Cambridgeshire and Tendring. 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 London parishes London 3
2 St Pancras London (North Districts)
3 South Walsham St Mary and St Lawrence Norfolk
4 Alne Yorkshire, North Riding
5 Lakenham , Eaton St Andrew, Town Close, St Stephen, St Peter Mancroft, St Giles, St Andrew, St John Norfolk

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Cannock Chase 006 Cannock Chase
2 Leeds 096 Leeds
3 East Riding of Yorkshire 011 East Riding of Yorkshire
4 East Cambridgeshire 006 East Cambridgeshire
5 Tendring 002 Tendring

Forenames

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First names often paired with Moll

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Moll

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

Rural Amenity

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

Read profile summary

Group profile

This Group comprises older parents or retirees, with no resident dependent children, and with the lowest residential densities in this Supergroup. Predominantly UK-born, residents typically live in detached houses, although others do live in semi-detached and terraced properties. The level of multiple car ownership is the highest in this Supergroup. Most houses are owner occupied although social renting is also present. Many concentrations occur in high amenity rural locations, such as Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

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

The Greater London Mix

Group

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Moll is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers, part of The Greater London Mix. 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

Mainly located in Inner London, these neighbourhoods retain a diverse employment structure, with some concentration in associated professional and technical occupations rather than skilled trades or construction. Social renting is more common and levels of homeownership are low. Many residents identify as Black. There is a lower than average rate of marriage or civil partnership, few that are very old (85 or over) and higher than average incidence of disability.

Wider London pattern

A Supergroup embodying London's diversity in many respects, apart from low numbers of residents identifying as of Bangladeshi, Indian, Pakistani or Other (non-Chinese) Asian ethnicity. There is lower than average prevalence of families with dependent children, while there are above average occurrences of never-married individuals and single-person households. The age distribution is skewed towards younger, single residents and couples without children, with many individuals identifying as of mixed or multiple ethnicity. Social rented or private rented housing is slightly more prevalent than average, and many residents live in flats. Individuals typically work in professional and associated roles in public administration, education or health rather than in elementary occupations in agriculture, energy, water, construction or manufacturing. Incidence of students is slightly below average. Individuals declaring no religion are more prevalent than average and non-use of English at home is below average.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Moll 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

Moll falls in decile 8 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the less deprived end of the index.

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

8
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Moll 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 Moll, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Moll

The surname Moll has its origins in England, dating back to the medieval period. It is derived from the Old English word "mol," which meant "mole" or "small hill." The name was likely originally a descriptive nickname given to someone who lived near a small hill or mound.

In the Domesday Book of 1086, a record of landholders in England commissioned by William the Conqueror, there are several entries for individuals with the surname Moll or similar spellings, such as Molle or Mol. This suggests that the name was already established in parts of England by the late 11th century.

One of the earliest recorded individuals with the surname Moll was Richard Moll, who was born in Hertfordshire, England, around 1220. He was a landowner and is mentioned in several historical documents from the mid-13th century.

In the 14th century, there are records of a John Moll from Oxfordshire, who was a prominent merchant and served as a member of the local council. His son, William Moll (c. 1380-1452), was a respected lawyer and held various positions in the local government.

During the 16th century, the surname Moll appeared in various parts of England, with some families settling in areas such as Gloucestershire and Somerset. One notable individual from this period was John Moll (c. 1525-1592), a wealthy merchant and landowner from Gloucestershire.

In the 17th century, the Moll surname was also found in parts of Scotland and Ireland, likely due to migration and intermarriage between families. One notable figure from this time was Robert Moll (1642-1718), a Scottish mathematician and cartographer who published several influential maps and atlases.

Another significant individual with the surname Moll was Herman Moll (c. 1654-1732), a Dutch cartographer and engraver who worked in London. He produced numerous maps and atlases, including the famous "Moll's Atlas" published in the early 18th century.

Over time, the surname Moll also spread to other parts of Europe and beyond, with variations in spelling and pronunciation. However, its roots can be traced back to the Old English word "mol" and the early medieval period in England.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Moll families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Moll 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. Norfolk leads with 96 Molls recorded in 1881 and an index of 22.78x.

County Total Index
Norfolk 96 22.78x
Middlesex 55 2.01x
Yorkshire 37 1.36x
Surrey 17 1.27x
Essex 16 2.96x
Lancashire 15 0.46x
Kent 10 1.07x
Suffolk 10 3.00x
Derbyshire 4 0.93x
Hertfordshire 4 2.12x
Northumberland 4 0.98x
Midlothian 3 0.82x
Leicestershire 2 0.66x
Berkshire 1 0.49x
Buckinghamshire 1 0.60x
Cambridgeshire 1 0.58x
Cheshire 1 0.17x
Durham 1 0.12x
Pembrokeshire 1 1.15x
Somerset 1 0.23x
Worcestershire 1 0.28x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Great Yarmouth in Norfolk leads with 16 Molls recorded in 1881 and an index of 45.83x.

Place Total Index
Great Yarmouth 16 45.83x
Cantley 13 5200.00x
Tollerton 13 2708.33x
South Walsham St Mary 12 3428.57x
Winterton 11 1486.49x
Lowestoft 10 63.41x
Thorpe Next Norwich 10 223.71x
Hammersmith London 9 13.33x
Bethnal Green London 8 6.72x
Clapham 7 20.43x
Limehouse London 7 23.26x
Prestwich 7 86.31x
Prittlewell 7 93.33x
Bacton 6 1363.64x
Deptford St Nicholas 6 80.86x
Heigham 6 26.53x
Norwich St Clement 6 122.70x
St Pancras London 6 2.72x
Sutton 6 55.00x
Islington London 5 1.88x
St Marylebone London 5 3.42x
Wanstead 5 52.74x
Wortley In Bramley 5 23.25x
Alne 4 869.57x
Broxbourne 4 106.95x
Eaton St Andrew 4 341.88x
Leavening 4 1081.08x
Melbourne 4 136.52x
Southcoates 4 26.53x
Youlton 4 8000.00x
Edinburgh St Cuthberts 3 2.03x
Leyton Low 3 27.27x
Mile End New Town 3 80.21x
Mile End Old Town 3 6.93x
Norwich St John Timberhill 3 265.49x
Shoreditch London 3 2.52x
Castle Donnington 2 79.37x
Chatham 2 7.77x
Croydon 2 2.70x
Freethorpe 2 526.32x
Newcastle On Tyne All Sts 2 8.21x
Newington 2 1.98x
Panxworth 2 1538.46x
Penge 2 11.42x
Spitalfields London 2 9.70x
Warlingham 2 185.19x
Westgate 2 7.92x
Wharram Le Street 2 1538.46x
Wymondham 2 46.40x
Camberwell 1 0.57x
Coulton 1 833.33x
Deptford St Paul 1 1.39x
Ely Holy Trinity St Mary 1 13.21x
Gorton 1 3.27x
Hampstead London 1 2.34x
Lambeth 1 0.42x
Lewisham 1 2.01x
Little Brickhill 1 434.78x
Milford Haven 1 140.85x
Nantwich 1 14.22x
Norwich St Peter 1 36.10x
Old Windsor 1 42.02x
Potter Heigham 1 256.41x
South Walsham St Lawrence 1 476.19x
St Alban Wood Street 1 588.24x
Theydon Bois 1 121.95x
Toxteth Park 1 0.91x
West Rainton 1 39.68x
Westminster St 1 9.89x
Westminster St James 1 3.55x
Weston Super Mare 1 8.98x
Worcester St Peter 1 14.75x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 17
Maria 7
Elizabeth 6
Alice 5
Ann 5
Edith 4
Ellen 4
Emily 4
Jane 4
Annie 3
Caroline 3
Eliza 3
Sarah 3
Catherine 2
Hannah 2
Harriett 2
Leopoldine 2
Louisa 2
Martha 2
Matilda 2
Phoebe 2
Rose 2
Susannah 2
Angelina 1
Anna 1
Augusta 1
Bertha 1
Charlotte 1
Christine 1
Eaden 1
Elizh. 1
Ellenor 1
Elsie 1
Emilie 1
Emma 1
Ethel 1
Florence 1
Hephzibah 1
Hilda 1
Honor 1
Jessie 1
Johanne 1
Julia 1
Julie 1
Kate 1
Lousa 1
Lucy 1
Margaret 1
Marion 1
Zelpah 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 17
George 14
William 14
Edward 7
Isaac 7
James 7
Henry 6
Charles 5
Arthur 4
Ernest 4
Robert 4
Frederick 3
Jeffrey 3
Abraham 2
Albert 2
Andrew 2
Heinrich 2
Joseph 2
Paul 2
Richard 2
Samuel 2
Thomas 2
Walter 2
Benjn. 1
Catherine 1
Chas. 1
Cornelius 1
Eric 1
Francis 1
Franz 1
Fredk. 1
Gustav 1
Harbert 1
Herbert 1
Hermann 1
Hubert 1
Ira 1
Jarvis 1
Lemon 1
Lewis 1
Ludwig 1
Oscar 1
Otto 1
Pantaleon 1
Percy 1
Peter 1
Phillip 1
Rowland 1
Rudolph 1
Willm. 1

FAQ

Moll surname: questions and answers

How common was the Moll surname in 1881?

In 1881, 283 people were recorded with the Moll surname. That placed it at #10,119 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Moll surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 418 in 2016. That gives Moll a modern rank of #11,472.

What does the Moll surname mean?

A surname of German origin, derived from a shortened form of a personal name beginning with "Mold-".

What does the Moll map show?

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