NameCensus.

UK surname

Molyneaux

A locative surname derived from a place name Molyneaux or Molyneux in France.

In the 1881 census there were 536 people recorded with the Molyneaux surname, ranking it #6,420 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 606, ranked #8,646, down from #6,420 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Wigan, Manchester and Standish. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Wigan, Warrington and Richmondshire.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Molyneaux is 660 in 1999. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 13.1%.

1881 census count

536

Ranked #6,420

Modern count

606

2016, ranked #8,646

Peak year

1999

660 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Molyneaux had 536 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #6,420 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 606 in 2016, ranked #8,646.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 586 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Inner Suburbs and Small Town Living.

Molyneaux surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Molyneaux surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Molyneaux 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 186 #11,024
1861 historical 329 #7,748
1881 historical 536 #6,420
1891 historical 535 #7,026
1901 historical 579 #7,261
1911 historical 586 #6,957
1997 modern 606 #8,087
1998 modern 632 #8,086
1999 modern 660 #7,857
2000 modern 622 #8,216
2001 modern 605 #8,249
2002 modern 604 #8,428
2003 modern 596 #8,376
2004 modern 600 #8,346
2005 modern 606 #8,216
2006 modern 599 #8,292
2007 modern 606 #8,287
2008 modern 613 #8,272
2009 modern 641 #8,158
2010 modern 635 #8,398
2011 modern 609 #8,585
2012 modern 588 #8,735
2013 modern 616 #8,567
2014 modern 602 #8,782
2015 modern 605 #8,678
2016 modern 606 #8,646

Geography

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Where Molyneaux' are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Wigan, Manchester, Standish, Liverpool and Leigh. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Wigan, Warrington, Richmondshire and Rochdale. 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 Wigan Lancashire
2 Manchester Lancashire
3 Standish Lancashire
4 Liverpool Lancashire
5 Leigh Lancashire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Wigan 028 Wigan
2 Wigan 025 Wigan
3 Warrington 023 Warrington
4 Richmondshire 006 Richmondshire
5 Rochdale 025 Rochdale

Forenames

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First names often paired with Molyneaux

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Molyneaux

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

Inner Suburbs and Small Town Living

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

Read profile summary

Group profile

Families with resident dependent children (but not students) are common. Established family groups and White ethnicity predominate, as do individuals born in the UK. They are more likely than the Supergroup average to have been resident in their terraced, semi-detached, or detached houses for more than one year. Levels of multiple car ownership are high. Properties are owned and typically have surplus living space. Associate professionals and administrative occupations are prevalent, and parents are likely to be in middle age or approaching retirement. Educational attainment is above the Supergroup average. Scattered developments and concentrations are found in many small towns.

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

Social Rented Sector Families with Children

Group

Social Rented Sector Pockets

Within London, Molyneaux 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

Molyneaux is most concentrated in decile 5 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.

5
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Molyneaux falls in decile 1 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.

1
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Molyneaux is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 60-70 mbit/s.

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

9
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

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

Meaning and origin of Molyneaux

The surname Molyneaux originates from the Normandy region of France during the early medieval period. It is derived from the Old French words "molin" meaning mill and "eaux" meaning waters, indicating the name likely referred to someone who lived near or worked at a watermill.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name dates back to the 11th century Domesday Book, where it appears as "Molineus" and "Molinaux". This suggests the name was already well-established in Normandy before the Norman Conquest of England in 1066.

As the Normans settled in England after the Conquest, the name spread across various regions, particularly in Lancashire and Cheshire. Over time, the spelling evolved into the modern form of Molyneaux or Molyneux.

In the 13th century, records show a Sir Richard Molyneaux held lands in Lancashire, and his descendants became prominent landowners in the region. One notable member of this family was Sir William Molyneaux (1535-1598), who served as Sheriff of Lancashire and was involved in suppressing the Northern Rebellion against Queen Elizabeth I.

Another historical figure with this surname was Viscount Molyneaux (1594-1659), an English nobleman and politician who supported the Royalist cause during the English Civil War. He was involved in the defense of Liverpool against the Parliamentarian forces.

During the 16th and 17th centuries, variations of the name such as Molyneux, Molineux, and Molynex were found in various records and parish registers across England, reflecting the regional variations in spelling and pronunciation.

In the 18th century, Thomas Molyneux (1661-1733) was an Irish philosopher and scientist who made significant contributions to the fields of optics and natural history. He was a member of the Royal Society and corresponded with prominent figures such as Sir Isaac Newton.

Another individual of note was Samuel Molyneux (1689-1728), an English astronomer and politician who served as a Member of Parliament. He made observations of the solar eclipse of 1724 and contributed to the development of telescopes.

Throughout its history, the surname Molyneaux has been associated with various professions, from landowners and politicians to scientists and intellectuals, reflecting its widespread presence across different social strata.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Molyneaux families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Molyneaux 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. Lancashire leads with 331 Molyneaux' recorded in 1881 and an index of 5.35x.

County Total Index
Lancashire 331 5.35x
Middlesex 51 0.98x
Cheshire 28 2.43x
Staffordshire 25 1.42x
Surrey 14 0.55x
Aberdeenshire 10 2.07x
Devon 9 0.83x
Hampshire 9 0.84x
Lincolnshire 9 1.08x
Berkshire 8 2.04x
Cumberland 7 1.56x
Oxfordshire 7 2.17x
Yorkshire 6 0.12x
Cardiganshire 5 3.93x
Glamorgan 5 0.55x
Renfrewshire 2 0.49x
Shropshire 2 0.44x
Warwickshire 2 0.15x
Flintshire 1 0.71x
Gloucestershire 1 0.10x
Montgomeryshire 1 0.84x
Sussex 1 0.11x
Worcestershire 1 0.15x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Warrington in Lancashire leads with 30 Molyneaux' recorded in 1881 and an index of 40.87x.

Place Total Index
Warrington 30 40.87x
Hindley 25 94.70x
Liverpool 21 5.58x
Atherton 17 75.42x
Preston 15 9.05x
Ashton In Makerfield 14 79.41x
Bury 14 19.79x
Little Bolton 12 15.07x
West Derby 12 6.62x
Newton In Makerfield 11 58.02x
Sutton 11 52.96x
Aberdeen St Nicholas 10 11.06x
Mile End Old Town 10 12.14x
Wigan 10 11.56x
Boston 9 35.55x
Everton 9 4.56x
Runcorn 9 33.89x
Wolborough 9 65.55x
Chorlton On Medlock 8 8.13x
Cookham 8 65.52x
Ince In Makerfield 8 27.77x
Islington London 8 1.58x
Westleigh 8 56.90x
Widnes 8 17.91x
Branstone 7 395.48x
Gosforth 7 319.63x
Hammersmith London 7 5.44x
Handsworth 7 16.12x
Hulme 7 5.41x
Parr 7 31.60x
Toxteth Park 7 3.34x
Westminster St 7 36.38x
Great Bolton 6 7.32x
Lambeth 6 1.32x
Lower Bebington 6 87.72x
Manchester 6 2.15x
Ribchester 6 256.41x
Southampton St Mary 6 8.92x
Aberystwith 5 45.62x
Bollington In 5 48.78x
Kensington London 5 1.72x
Merthyr Tydfil 5 5.72x
Rugeley 5 39.56x
St Marylebone London 5 1.79x
Tyldesley Cum Shakerley 5 28.04x
Walton Le Dale 5 30.05x
Accrington 4 7.10x
Adlington 4 68.97x
Battersea 4 2.08x
Birkenhead 4 4.36x
North Meols 4 6.60x
Oswaldtwistle 4 18.28x
Oxford St Aldate 4 117.99x
Pilkington 4 17.01x
Wavertree 4 20.18x
West Bromwich 4 3.97x
Cowley 3 29.82x
Golborne 3 37.17x
Leeds 3 1.03x
Rumworth 3 33.90x
Bickerstaffe 2 49.38x
Blackrod 2 25.97x
East Greenock 2 5.24x
Egham 2 12.81x
Halifax 2 2.63x
Kirkdale 2 1.92x
Paddington London 2 1.04x
St George Hanover 2 2.94x
Stretford 2 5.87x
Trentham 2 13.35x
Withington 2 10.03x
Aighton Bailey 1 33.56x
Birmingham 1 0.23x
Elton In Chester 1 285.71x
Halewood 1 30.12x
Heap 1 3.05x
Pool 1 11.09x
Southcoates 1 3.48x
Southwark Christchurch 1 4.09x
Woodchurch 1 434.78x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 45
Elizabeth 26
Margaret 18
Annie 17
Jane 14
Eliza 10
Ann 9
Alice 8
Ellen 7
Martha 7
Sarah 7
Eliz. 6
Emily 5
Esther 4
Hannah 4
Louisa 4
Agnes 3
Caroline 3
Ada 2
Amy 2
Catherine 2
Dorothy 2
Edith 2
Elizth. 2
Emma 2
Florence 2
Helen 2
Kate 2
Lizzie 2
Lucy 2
Maria 2
Nancy 2
Nora 2
Adeline 1
Bronwyn 1
Clara 1
Diana 1
Eliz.A. 1
Emmily 1
Etty 1
Isabella 1
Jennetta 1
Josephine 1
Judith 1
Kathleen 1
Katie 1
Lavinia 1
Lilian 1
Lillian 1
Trisia 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 37
John 33
Thomas 22
James 19
Henry 14
Joseph 13
George 11
Charles 8
Samuel 7
Arthur 6
Edward 6
Richard 6
Cecil 4
Walter 4
David 3
Harold 3
Robert 3
Thos. 3
Wm. 3
Adam 2
Albert 2
Francis 2
Fredrick 2
Isaac 2
Peter 2
Robt. 2
Bryan 1
Edwin 1
Frank 1
Fred 1
Frederic 1
Greig 1
H.John 1
Harry 1
Herbert 1
Hugh 1
Jas. 1
Jeremiah 1
Louis 1
Luke 1
Matthew 1
Michael 1
Norman 1
Paul 1
Ralph 1
Roger 1
Sebastian 1
Stephen 1
Steven 1
T.E.P. 1

FAQ

Molyneaux surname: questions and answers

How common was the Molyneaux surname in 1881?

In 1881, 536 people were recorded with the Molyneaux surname. That placed it at #6,420 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Molyneaux surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 606 in 2016. That gives Molyneaux a modern rank of #8,646.

What does the Molyneaux surname mean?

A locative surname derived from a place name Molyneaux or Molyneux in France.

What does the Molyneaux map show?

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