UK surname
Of German origin, a topographic name referring to someone living by moors or marshes.
In the 1881 census there were 7 people recorded with the Monis surname, ranking it #32,765 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 23, ranked #36,457, down from #32,765 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Sedgley, Astbury and Toxteth Park. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Monis is 256 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 228.6%.
1881 census count
7
Ranked #32,765
Modern count
23
2016, ranked #36,457
Peak year
1861
256 bearers
Map years
3
1851 to 1891
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Monis surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Monis 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 | 132 | #14,174 |
| 1861 | historical | 256 | #9,667 |
| 1881 | historical | 7 | #32,765 |
| 1891 | historical | 148 | #18,506 |
| 1901 | historical | 7 | #33,435 |
| 1911 | historical | 17 | #31,675 |
| 1997 | modern | 12 | #36,785 |
| 1998 | modern | 8 | #37,334 |
| 1999 | modern | 10 | #37,072 |
| 2000 | modern | 13 | #36,635 |
| 2001 | modern | 11 | #36,727 |
| 2002 | modern | 11 | #36,780 |
| 2003 | modern | 12 | #36,715 |
| 2004 | modern | 19 | #36,147 |
| 2005 | modern | 21 | #36,083 |
| 2006 | modern | 21 | #36,179 |
| 2007 | modern | 22 | #36,213 |
| 2008 | modern | 22 | #36,281 |
| 2009 | modern | 23 | #36,313 |
| 2010 | modern | 26 | #36,220 |
| 2011 | modern | 25 | #36,252 |
| 2012 | modern | 24 | #36,288 |
| 2013 | modern | 26 | #36,217 |
| 2014 | modern | 24 | #36,358 |
| 2015 | modern | 23 | #36,424 |
| 2016 | modern | 23 | #36,457 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Sedgley, Astbury, Toxteth Park, Gateshead and Liverpool. 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 | Sedgley | Staffordshire |
| 2 | Astbury | Cheshire |
| 3 | Toxteth Park | Lancashire |
| 4 | Gateshead | Durham |
| 5 | Liverpool | Lancashire |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Monis 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 Monis, 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 Monis surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Monis 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, Monis 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 Monis is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Monis, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname "MONIS" is believed to have originated in France during the medieval period. It is likely derived from the Old French word "moine," which means "monk" or "monastic." This suggests that the name may have been initially given to someone who lived in or near a monastery or had some association with monastic life.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name appears in the historic Domesday Book, a comprehensive survey of land and property commissioned by William the Conqueror in 1086. The entry mentions a landowner named Richard Monis in the county of Essex, England.
In the 13th century, there are records of a prominent family with the surname Monis residing in the village of Montpellier, located in the southern region of France. This area was known for its thriving wine trade, and it is possible that the Monis family may have been involved in the wine business or owned vineyards.
During the 16th century, a notable figure named Jean Monis (1499-1568) was a French scholar and theologian. He was a prominent figure in the Protestant Reformation and is known for his contributions to the translation of the Bible into French.
Another individual of historical significance was Sir Edward Monis (1670-1732), an English politician and diplomat. He served as a member of the British Parliament and held the position of Ambassador to the Netherlands.
In the literary world, the surname is associated with the French writer and poet, André Monis (1823-1892). He is known for his works that explored themes of nature and the human experience.
Moving to the 19th century, there was a renowned artist named Édouard Monis (1846-1918). He was a French painter and sculptor, known for his depictions of landscapes and rural scenes.
It is worth noting that variations of the spelling, such as "Monies," "Moneys," and "Moniz," have also been documented throughout history, suggesting possible connections or origins in different regions or languages.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Monis 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. Lancashire leads with 3 Monis' recorded in 1881 and an index of 3.71x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Lancashire | 3 | 3.71x |
| Carmarthenshire | 1 | 34.84x |
| Essex | 1 | 7.44x |
| Sussex | 1 | 8.71x |
| Yorkshire | 1 | 1.48x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Hulme in Lancashire leads with 3 Monis' recorded in 1881 and an index of 177.51x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Hulme | 3 | 177.51x |
| Chailey | 1 | 2500.00x |
| Leyton Low | 1 | 370.37x |
| Llanelly | 1 | 153.85x |
| Paull | 1 | 10000.00x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Monis 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 Monis 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 Monis households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| Charwoman | 1 |
| Farm Servant Indoor | 1 |
| General Servant Domestic | 1 |
| Railway Labourer | 1 |
| Silk Dyer (Formerly) | 1 |
| Warehouseman | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 7 people were recorded with the Monis surname. That placed it at #32,765 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 23 in 2016. That gives Monis a modern rank of #36,457.
Of German origin, a topographic name referring to someone living by moors or marshes.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Monis 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.