NameCensus.

UK surname

Moro

A surname of Italian origin referring to someone with a dark complexion or from the Moors.

In the 1881 census there were 16 people recorded with the Moro surname, ranking it #31,301 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 153, ranked #23,408, up from #31,301 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Hackney, Westminster and Ribble Valley.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Moro is 155 in 2015. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 856.3%.

1881 census count

16

Ranked #31,301

Modern count

153

2016, ranked #23,408

Peak year

2015

155 bearers

Map years

1

2016 to 2016

Key insights

  • Moro had 16 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #31,301 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 153 in 2016, ranked #23,408.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 26 in 1861.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Diverse Educated Urban Singles.

Moro surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Moro surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Moro 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 11 #31,309
1861 historical 26 #30,677
1881 historical 16 #31,301
1891 historical 19 #32,642
1901 historical 24 #31,365
1911 historical 14 #32,045
1997 modern 59 #31,734
1998 modern 69 #31,076
1999 modern 66 #31,509
2000 modern 62 #31,939
2001 modern 63 #31,693
2002 modern 62 #32,214
2003 modern 69 #31,587
2004 modern 77 #31,024
2005 modern 76 #31,267
2006 modern 86 #30,425
2007 modern 98 #29,019
2008 modern 107 #27,844
2009 modern 115 #27,207
2010 modern 136 #25,009
2011 modern 131 #25,430
2012 modern 144 #23,902
2013 modern 148 #23,884
2014 modern 151 #23,745
2015 modern 155 #23,194
2016 modern 153 #23,408

Geography

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Where Moros 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 Hackney, Westminster, Ribble Valley and Barnet. 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 Hackney 025 Hackney
2 Westminster 019 Westminster
3 Ribble Valley 002 Ribble Valley
4 Barnet 003 Barnet
5 Hackney 020 Hackney

Forenames

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First names often paired with Moro

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Moro

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

Moro 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

Moro falls in decile 4 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.

4
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Moro

The surname Moro has its origins in Italy, specifically in the northern regions of the country. Its earliest recorded use dates back to the 12th century, stemming from the Latin word "morus," which means "mulberry tree." It is believed that the name was originally a descriptive one, referring to individuals who either lived near mulberry trees or were involved in the cultivation of these trees.

During the Middle Ages, the Moro family established a presence in various parts of northern Italy, including the regions of Lombardy, Veneto, and Emilia-Romagna. One of the earliest recorded mentions of the name can be found in a document from 1243, which refers to a certain "Petrus Moro" from the city of Verona.

In the 14th century, the Moro name gained prominence with the rise of the Moro family in Venice. This influential family played a significant role in the political and cultural life of the Venetian Republic. One notable figure from this family was Cristoforo Moro (1390-1471), a renowned Venetian merchant and diplomat who served as the ambassador to the Ottoman Empire.

Another notable bearer of the Moro name was Girolamo Moro (1519-1592), a Venetian scholar and humanist who authored several works on philosophy and theology. His treatise "De Optimo Statu Reipublicae Venetae" (On the Ideal State of the Venetian Republic) remains an important historical source on the political structure of Venice during the Renaissance.

In the 16th century, the Moro family also established a presence in the Kingdom of Naples, where they held various positions of power and influence. One member of this branch was Tommaso Moro (1550-1624), a renowned jurist and legal scholar who served as the president of the Supreme Court of Naples.

Moving forward to the 19th century, the name Moro gained international recognition with the life and work of Alessandro Moro (1819-1892), an Italian patriot and revolutionary who played a pivotal role in the Risorgimento, the movement for Italian unification. He was a close associate of Giuseppe Garibaldi and participated in numerous battles against the Austrian Empire.

Throughout its history, the surname Moro has been associated with individuals from various backgrounds, including artists, writers, politicians, and military leaders. Some other notable figures include Aldo Moro (1916-1978), an Italian statesman and former Prime Minister of Italy, and Antonio Moro (1519-1576), a renowned Venetian portrait painter during the Renaissance.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Moro families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Moro 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. Middlesex leads with 7 Moros recorded in 1881 and an index of 4.49x.

County Total Index
Middlesex 7 4.49x
Surrey 7 9.21x
Lancashire 1 0.54x
Worcestershire 1 4.91x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Southwark Christchurch in Surrey leads with 4 Moros recorded in 1881 and an index of 547.95x.

Place Total Index
Southwark Christchurch 4 547.95x
St Anne Soho London 4 449.44x
Camberwell 3 30.12x
St Clement Danes 2 800.00x
Broughton In Salford 1 59.17x
Dodderhill In Liberties 1 3333.33x
St George Hanover 1 49.02x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Ada 1
Eliza 1
Ellen 1
Emily 1
Grace 1
Henrietta 1
Maria 1
Mary 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
Charles 2
Louis 2
Adele 1
Basilio 1
Heneage 1
Peter 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 Moro households.

FAQ

Moro surname: questions and answers

How common was the Moro surname in 1881?

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

How common is the Moro surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 153 in 2016. That gives Moro a modern rank of #23,408.

What does the Moro surname mean?

A surname of Italian origin referring to someone with a dark complexion or from the Moors.

What does the Moro map show?

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