UK surname
A surname derived from a mood or temperament, possibly referring to one's emotional state or disposition.
In the 1881 census there were 73 people recorded with the Mood surname, ranking it #23,220 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 68, ranked #33,826, down from #23,220 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Masham, Woodhorn and Gateshead. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Mood is 310 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 6.8%.
1881 census count
73
Ranked #23,220
Modern count
68
2016, ranked #33,826
Peak year
1861
310 bearers
Map years
5
1851 to 1911
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Mood surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Mood surname density by area, 1911 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 | 310 | #8,175 |
| 1881 | historical | 73 | #23,220 |
| 1891 | historical | 245 | #12,950 |
| 1901 | historical | 130 | #19,649 |
| 1911 | historical | 141 | #18,571 |
| 1997 | modern | 92 | #28,079 |
| 1998 | modern | 78 | #30,192 |
| 1999 | modern | 80 | #30,152 |
| 2000 | modern | 74 | #30,785 |
| 2001 | modern | 68 | #31,195 |
| 2002 | modern | 73 | #31,159 |
| 2003 | modern | 71 | #31,393 |
| 2004 | modern | 66 | #32,079 |
| 2005 | modern | 63 | #32,602 |
| 2006 | modern | 63 | #32,943 |
| 2007 | modern | 61 | #33,440 |
| 2008 | modern | 64 | #33,402 |
| 2009 | modern | 62 | #33,832 |
| 2010 | modern | 59 | #34,273 |
| 2011 | modern | 58 | #34,330 |
| 2012 | modern | 60 | #34,287 |
| 2013 | modern | 66 | #34,003 |
| 2014 | modern | 64 | #34,141 |
| 2015 | modern | 65 | #34,036 |
| 2016 | modern | 68 | #33,826 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Masham, Woodhorn, Gateshead, Earsdon and Edinburgh. 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 | Masham | Yorkshire, North Riding |
| 2 | Woodhorn | Northumberland |
| 3 | Gateshead | Durham |
| 4 | Earsdon | Northumberland |
| 5 | Edinburgh | Edinburgh |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Mood 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 Mood, 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 Mood surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Mood 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, Mood 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 Mood is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Mood, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname MOOD is believed to have originated in England during the Middle Ages. It is thought to be derived from the Old English word "mod," which meant "mind" or "disposition." This suggests that the name may have been initially used as a descriptive nickname for someone with a particular temperament or personality trait.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the MOOD surname can be found in the Pipe Rolls of Sussex, dated 1195, where a person named Ralph Mood is mentioned. The name also appears in the Curia Regis Rolls of Bedfordshire in 1221, listing a William Mood.
In the 13th century, the surname MOOD was present in various parts of England, including Yorkshire, Lincolnshire, and Nottinghamshire. Some records from this period show variations in spelling, such as "Mood," "Mode," and "Moode."
The MOOD surname has been associated with several notable individuals throughout history. One such person was William Mood (c. 1515-1592), an English Protestant reformer and clergyman who served as the Dean of St. Paul's Cathedral during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I.
Another prominent figure with this surname was Sir Henry Mood (1634-1697), an English judge and politician who served as a Member of Parliament and the Chief Baron of the Exchequer during the late 17th century.
In the 18th century, John Mood (1734-1808) was a Scottish minister and author who wrote several religious works, including "The Theological Repository" and "Essays on Various Important Subjects."
The MOOD surname also has connections to the world of literature. Robert Mood (1786-1841) was a Scottish poet and songwriter, known for his contributions to the Scots literary tradition.
During the 19th century, William Henry Mood (1833-1904) was a notable English barrister and legal writer who authored books on the practice of law, including "The Law of Libel and Slander."
While the surname MOOD may have originated as a descriptive nickname, it has since become a well-established family name with a rich history spanning centuries and various parts of England, as well as Scotland.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Mood 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. Northumberland leads with 33 Moods recorded in 1881 and an index of 31.15x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Northumberland | 33 | 31.15x |
| Yorkshire | 9 | 1.28x |
| Surrey | 8 | 2.31x |
| Lancashire | 7 | 0.83x |
| Midlothian | 5 | 5.24x |
| Aberdeenshire | 3 | 4.55x |
| Kent | 2 | 0.82x |
| Buteshire | 1 | 23.20x |
| Cheshire | 1 | 0.64x |
| Devon | 1 | 0.67x |
| Durham | 1 | 0.47x |
| Hampshire | 1 | 0.69x |
| Sussex | 1 | 0.83x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Bedlington in Northumberland leads with 13 Moods recorded in 1881 and an index of 367.23x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Bedlington | 13 | 367.23x |
| North Seaton | 10 | 2272.73x |
| Wimbledon | 8 | 205.66x |
| Bradford | 7 | 177.22x |
| Masham | 7 | 2692.31x |
| Seaton Delaval | 7 | 752.69x |
| Dalkeith | 4 | 212.77x |
| Aberdeen St Nicholas | 3 | 24.31x |
| Holbeck | 2 | 42.83x |
| Westgate | 2 | 30.49x |
| Woolwich | 2 | 22.30x |
| Bishopwearmouth | 1 | 5.50x |
| Easton | 1 | 833.33x |
| Edinburgh St Cuthberts | 1 | 2.61x |
| Hollington | 1 | 232.56x |
| Knutsford Nether | 1 | 105.26x |
| Plymstock | 1 | 128.21x |
| Rothesay | 1 | 47.85x |
| Seghill | 1 | 192.31x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Mood 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 Mood 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 Mood households.
FAQ
In 1881, 73 people were recorded with the Mood surname. That placed it at #23,220 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 68 in 2016. That gives Mood a modern rank of #33,826.
A surname derived from a mood or temperament, possibly referring to one's emotional state or disposition.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Mood 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.