NameCensus.

UK surname

Mora

A Spanish and Italian occupational surname referring to a person who lived near a mulberry tree or grove.

In the 1881 census there were 16 people recorded with the Mora surname, ranking it #31,301 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 272, ranked #15,832, up from #31,301 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include East Devon, Kilmardinny East and Forest of Dean.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Mora is 272 in 2016. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 1600.0%.

1881 census count

16

Ranked #31,301

Modern count

272

2016, ranked #15,832

Peak year

2016

272 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • Mora had 16 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #31,301 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 272 in 2016, ranked #15,832.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 46 in 1861.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Diverse Educated Urban Singles.

Mora surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Mora surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

Back to top

Mora 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 7 #32,070
1861 historical 46 #28,170
1881 historical 16 #31,301
1891 historical 20 #32,579
1901 historical 36 #30,099
1911 historical 44 #28,454
1997 modern 145 #21,571
1998 modern 161 #20,754
1999 modern 158 #21,102
2000 modern 148 #21,971
2001 modern 138 #22,647
2002 modern 146 #22,302
2003 modern 141 #22,549
2004 modern 162 #20,756
2005 modern 168 #20,227
2006 modern 165 #20,634
2007 modern 181 #19,680
2008 modern 186 #19,524
2009 modern 202 #18,896
2010 modern 222 #18,148
2011 modern 213 #18,502
2012 modern 236 #17,187
2013 modern 253 #16,642
2014 modern 257 #16,598
2015 modern 261 #16,318
2016 modern 272 #15,832

Geography

Back to top

Where Moras are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around No data. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to East Devon, Kilmardinny East, Forest of Dean, Drongan and Richmond upon Thames. 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 No data No data

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 East Devon 020 East Devon
2 Kilmardinny East East Dunbartonshire
3 Forest of Dean 003 Forest of Dean
4 Drongan East Ayrshire
5 Richmond upon Thames 003 Richmond upon Thames

Forenames

Back to top

First names often paired with Mora

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

Historical female names

No Forenames Found

Historical male names

No Forenames Found

Modern profile

Back to top

Neighbourhood profile for Mora

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

Multicultural and Educated Urbanites

Group

Diverse Educated Urban Singles

Nationally, the Mora surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Diverse Educated Urban Singles, within Multicultural and Educated Urbanites. This does not mean every Mora 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 includes many never-married individuals not living with dependent children. Many were born in EU countries and are now aged between 25-44. This Group is characterised by its ethnic group diversity, although those identifying as Asian are not well represented. Affiliation with the Christian religion amongst residents is low. Reported disability rates are low. Neighbourhoods include some central locations in London and other major cities. Private renting is the norm, and there is some overcrowding. Many individuals are educated to degree level, and full-time employment is common, particularly in managerial and professional occupations.

Wider pattern

Established populations comprising ethnic minorities together with persons born outside the UK predominate in this Supergroup. Residents present diverse personal characteristics and circumstances: while generally well-educated and practising skilled occupations, some residents live in overcrowded rental sector housing. English may not be the main language used by people in this Group. Although the typical adult resident is middle aged, single person households are common and marriage rates are low by national standards. This Supergroup predominates in Inner London, with smaller enclaves in many other densely populated metropolitan areas.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Social Rented Sector Families with Children

Group

Social Rented Sector Pockets

Within London, Mora 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

Mora 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

Mora falls in decile 3 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.

3
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Mora 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 - Other

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

Meaning and origin of Mora

The surname Mora has its origins in Spain, dating back to the medieval period. It is believed to be derived from the Spanish word "mora," which means "mulberry tree." This connection suggests that the surname may have initially been associated with individuals who lived near or worked with mulberry trees.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Mora can be found in the historical records of Aragon, a region in northeastern Spain. In the 13th century, a document from the Kingdom of Aragon mentions a person named Domingo de Mora, indicating the surname's presence during that era.

Another notable early reference is in the "Libro de la Montería" (Book of the Hunt), a 14th-century manuscript commissioned by King Alfonso XI of Castile. This hunting treatise contains the name of a certain Pedro Mora, suggesting the surname's use among individuals involved in hunting or forestry activities.

In the 15th century, historical records from the city of Seville in southern Spain mention a family with the surname Mora. This indicates that the name had spread beyond its initial regions and was becoming more widespread across different parts of the country.

One of the earliest known individuals with the surname Mora was Pedro de Mora (c. 1452-1521), a Spanish explorer and conquistador. He accompanied Christopher Columbus on his fourth voyage to the Americas and later participated in the conquest of Cuba.

Another notable figure was Juan de Mora (c. 1510-1580), a Spanish nobleman and military commander who served in the Conquest of the Canary Islands and later became a member of the Council of the Indies, which oversaw Spain's colonial affairs.

In the 17th century, Gaspar de Mora (1597-1675) was a Spanish painter who worked in Madrid and gained recognition for his religious and portrait paintings.

During the 18th century, Andrés de Mora (1718-1789) was a Spanish architect and engineer who played a significant role in the development of urban planning and infrastructure in Madrid.

In the 19th century, José Joaquín de Mora (1783-1864) was a Spanish-American writer, poet, and diplomat who spent much of his career in various Latin American countries and the United States.

These examples illustrate the rich historical presence of the surname Mora, which can be traced back to medieval Spain and has been associated with individuals from various walks of life, including explorers, military leaders, artists, architects, and writers.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

Back to top

Mora families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Mora 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. Renfrewshire leads with 6 Moras recorded in 1881 and an index of 53.00x.

County Total Index
Renfrewshire 6 53.00x
Middlesex 4 2.74x
Warwickshire 3 8.14x
Glamorgan 1 3.93x
Orkney 1 62.11x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. West Greenock in Renfrewshire leads with 6 Moras recorded in 1881 and an index of 295.57x.

Place Total Index
West Greenock 6 295.57x
Birmingham 3 24.43x
St Marylebone London 2 25.64x
Holm 1 2000.00x
Islington London 1 7.06x
Merthyr Tydfil 1 40.98x
Paddington London 1 18.62x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Bridget 1
Julia 1
Mary 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 2
Antonia 1
Basilio 1
Jeremiah 1

Top occupations

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 Mora households.

FAQ

Mora surname: questions and answers

How common was the Mora surname in 1881?

In 1881, 16 people were recorded with the Mora surname. That placed it at #31,301 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Mora surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 272 in 2016. That gives Mora a modern rank of #15,832.

What does the Mora surname mean?

A Spanish and Italian occupational surname referring to a person who lived near a mulberry tree or grove.

What does the Mora map show?

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