NameCensus.

UK surname

Mori

An Italian surname referring to a dark-skinned or Moorish-looking person, or someone from Moro d'Alba, Italy.

In the 1881 census there were 19 people recorded with the Mori surname, ranking it #30,872 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 171, ranked #21,726, up from #30,872 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Balloch West, Kensington and Chelsea and Sheffield.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Mori is 172 in 2015. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 800.0%.

1881 census count

19

Ranked #30,872

Modern count

171

2016, ranked #21,726

Peak year

2015

172 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • Mori had 19 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #30,872 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 171 in 2016, ranked #21,726.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 42 in 1891.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Diverse Educated Urban Singles.

Mori surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Mori surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

Back to top

Mori 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 14 #30,790
1861 historical 16 #31,832
1881 historical 19 #30,872
1891 historical 42 #31,018
1901 historical 35 #30,194
1911 historical 32 #29,838
1997 modern 84 #29,106
1998 modern 101 #27,479
1999 modern 99 #27,906
2000 modern 93 #28,701
2001 modern 91 #28,670
2002 modern 101 #27,766
2003 modern 117 #25,282
2004 modern 122 #24,812
2005 modern 133 #23,502
2006 modern 127 #24,384
2007 modern 139 #23,377
2008 modern 138 #23,763
2009 modern 147 #23,248
2010 modern 151 #23,377
2011 modern 142 #24,182
2012 modern 165 #21,782
2013 modern 160 #22,621
2014 modern 167 #22,180
2015 modern 172 #21,649
2016 modern 171 #21,726

Geography

Back to top

Where Moris 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 Balloch West, Kensington and Chelsea, Sheffield, Hillhead and Camden. 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 Balloch West North Lanarkshire
2 Kensington and Chelsea 004 Kensington and Chelsea
3 Sheffield 055 Sheffield
4 Hillhead Glasgow City
5 Camden 025 Camden

Forenames

Back to top

First names often paired with Mori

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

Modern profile

Back to top

Neighbourhood profile for Mori

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Mori, 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 Mori surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Diverse Educated Urban Singles, within Multicultural and Educated Urbanites. This does not mean every Mori 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

The Greater London Mix

Group

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Mori 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

Mori 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

Mori falls in decile 5 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname near the middle of the scale.

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

5
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Mori

The surname MORI has its origins in Italy, where it first emerged in the medieval period. It is derived from the Italian word "moro," meaning "Moor" or "dark-skinned person." This suggests that the name may have originally been given as a nickname or descriptive term for someone with a darker complexion or possibly someone who had connections to North Africa or the Moorish culture.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the MORI surname can be found in the Codice Diplomatico Longobardo, a collection of historical documents from the Lombard period in Italy, dating back to the 8th century. However, it's important to note that spellings were often inconsistent in these early records, and the name may have appeared in various forms, such as Moro, Mori, or Moris.

In the 13th century, the MORI surname is documented in the Florentine records, specifically in the Libro di Montaperti, which chronicles the famous battle of Montaperti in 1260. This suggests that the MORI family may have been influential or involved in the political and military affairs of medieval Florence.

One notable figure bearing the MORI surname was Iacopo Mori, a Venetian merchant and explorer who lived in the late 13th century. He is credited with being one of the first Europeans to travel to and document the lands of Central Asia, including parts of modern-day Mongolia and China.

Another prominent individual was Tommaso Mori (1478-1535), an English Renaissance scholar, statesman, and Catholic martyr. Although not directly related to the Italian MORI surname, his name is often anglicized as "Thomas More" and has become renowned for his influential works, including "Utopia," and his steadfast adherence to his religious beliefs, leading to his execution by King Henry VIII.

In the 16th century, the MORI surname can be found in various regions of Italy, including Tuscany, Veneto, and Lombardy. One notable figure from this period was Battista Mori (1536-1598), an Italian architect and sculptor who worked on several notable projects in Rome, including the Palazzo Borghese and the Church of Santa Maria della Vittoria.

During the 17th century, the MORI surname gained prominence in the Republic of Venice, where several members of the family held influential positions in the city's government and cultural institutions. One such figure was Girolamo Mori (1612-1688), a Venetian nobleman and poet who was celebrated for his literary works and patronage of the arts.

As the MORI surname spread across Europe, it also took on various spellings and adaptations in different languages. For example, in French, it became Morin, while in Spanish, it transformed into Morín or Moreno. Despite these variations, the underlying meaning and origin of the name remained connected to its Italian roots.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

Back to top

Mori families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Mori 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 5 Moris recorded in 1881 and an index of 19.63x.

County Total Index
Norfolk 5 19.63x
Stirlingshire 5 81.83x
Middlesex 4 2.41x
Cheshire 1 2.73x
Clackmannanshire 1 72.99x
Yorkshire 1 0.61x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. East Dereham in Norfolk leads with 5 Moris recorded in 1881 and an index of 1562.50x.

Place Total Index
East Dereham 5 1562.50x
Stirling 5 649.35x
St Marylebone London 3 33.94x
Alloa 1 151.52x
Bradford 1 25.19x
Poplar London 1 31.95x
Tranmere 1 74.63x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Alice 1
Elisabeth 1
Estelle 1
Marie 1
T. 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
Arthur 1
Frank 1
Hedi 1
Kigoshi 1
Pietro 1
William 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 Mori households.

FAQ

Mori surname: questions and answers

How common was the Mori surname in 1881?

In 1881, 19 people were recorded with the Mori surname. That placed it at #30,872 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Mori surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 171 in 2016. That gives Mori a modern rank of #21,726.

What does the Mori surname mean?

An Italian surname referring to a dark-skinned or Moorish-looking person, or someone from Moro d'Alba, Italy.

What does the Mori map show?

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