NameCensus.

UK surname

Mosses

A surname derived from the plural form of the word "moss", potentially indicating ancestry from a mossy location.

In the 1881 census there were 64 people recorded with the Mosses surname, ranking it #24,561 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 113, ranked #28,691, down from #24,561 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Winwick, London parishes and West Derby. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Wiltshire, Liverpool and Calderdale.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Mosses is 330 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 76.6%.

1881 census count

64

Ranked #24,561

Modern count

113

2016, ranked #28,691

Peak year

1861

330 bearers

Map years

6

1861 to 2016

Key insights

  • Mosses had 64 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #24,561 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 113 in 2016, ranked #28,691.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 330 in 1861.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Inner Suburbs and Small Town Living.

Mosses surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Mosses surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Mosses 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 97 #17,484
1861 historical 330 #7,721
1881 historical 64 #24,561
1891 historical 114 #22,006
1901 historical 56 #27,952
1911 historical 100 #22,717
1997 modern 124 #23,669
1998 modern 126 #24,094
1999 modern 119 #25,095
2000 modern 111 #26,111
2001 modern 111 #25,767
2002 modern 113 #26,024
2003 modern 110 #26,220
2004 modern 113 #25,999
2005 modern 108 #26,736
2006 modern 107 #27,179
2007 modern 113 #26,641
2008 modern 110 #27,391
2009 modern 112 #27,685
2010 modern 111 #28,509
2011 modern 113 #27,967
2012 modern 111 #28,332
2013 modern 118 #27,686
2014 modern 120 #27,646
2015 modern 118 #27,833
2016 modern 113 #28,691

Geography

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Where Mosses' are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Winwick, London parishes, West Derby, Liverpool and Ludgvan. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Wiltshire, Liverpool, Calderdale, Hart and Laurieston and Tradeston. 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 Winwick Lancashire
2 London parishes London 3
3 West Derby Lancashire
4 Liverpool Lancashire
5 Ludgvan Cornwall

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Wiltshire 038 Wiltshire
2 Liverpool 040 Liverpool
3 Calderdale 018 Calderdale
4 Hart 002 Hart
5 Laurieston and Tradeston Glasgow City

Forenames

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First names often paired with Mosses

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Mosses

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

Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities

Group

Inner Suburbs and Small Town Living

Nationally, the Mosses surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Inner Suburbs and Small Town Living, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Mosses household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Families with resident dependent children (but not students) are common. Established family groups and White ethnicity predominate, as do individuals born in the UK. They are more likely than the Supergroup average to have been resident in their terraced, semi-detached, or detached houses for more than one year. Levels of multiple car ownership are high. Properties are owned and typically have surplus living space. Associate professionals and administrative occupations are prevalent, and parents are likely to be in middle age or approaching retirement. Educational attainment is above the Supergroup average. Scattered developments and concentrations are found in many small towns.

Wider pattern

Pervasive throughout the UK, members of this Supergroup typically own (or are buying) their detached, semi-detached or terraced homes. They are also typically educated to A Level/Highers or degree level and work in skilled or professional occupations. Typically born in the UK, some families have children, although the median adult age is above 45 and some property has become under-occupied after children have left home. This Supergroup is pervasive not only in suburban locations, but also in neighbourhoods at or beyond the edge of cities that adjoin rural parts of the country.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Young Families and Mainstream Employment

Group

Terraced and Semi-Detached Suburbs

Within London, Mosses is most associated with areas classed as Terraced and Semi-Detached Suburbs, part of Young Families and Mainstream Employment. 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 concentrated in suburban areas, these terraced and semi-detached developments are less overcrowded than the Supergroup average, and resident households are more likely to own two or more cars. There are fewer residents aged 25-44, and a larger share of residents employed in administrative and secretarial occupations. Residents are more likely to have been born in the UK, less likely to have been born in the EU or Africa, and much less likely to self-identify as Bangladeshi.

Wider London pattern

Many families in these neighbourhoods have young children. Housing is principally in the social rented sector, in terraced or semi-detached units. While over-all residential densities are low, overcrowding is also prevalent locally. Residents are drawn from a range of ethnic minorities, with many identifying as Black and above average numbers born in Africa. Numbers identifying as of Chinese, Indian or White ethnicity are below average. Levels of proficiency in English are below average. Levels of separation or divorce and incidence of disability are both above average. Education is typically limited to Level 1, 2, or apprenticeship qualifications. Few residents work in professional or managerial occupations but the employment structure is otherwise diverse: it includes skilled trades, caring, leisure and other service occupations, sales and customer service occupations, construction, and work as process, plant, and machine operatives.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Mosses is most concentrated in decile 8 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.

8
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Mosses 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 Mosses is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 60-70 mbit/s.

The scale below places that band in context, from slower local download bands through to faster ones.

9
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

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

Meaning and origin of Mosses

The surname Mosses has its origins rooted in England, tracing back to the medieval era. It is derived from the Old English word "mos," referring to a marsh or a boggy area. This suggests that the name may have originated from an individual who resided near or was associated with a marshy region.

One of the earliest recorded mentions of the name can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, where it appears as "de Mosa," reflecting the locational nature of the surname. This entry indicates that the name was already in use during the Norman Conquest of England in the 11th century.

During the 13th century, the surname evolved into its more recognizable form, "Mosses," as seen in various legal documents and parish records from that time period. Some variations, such as "Mosse" and "Moss," were also common spellings.

Notable individuals bearing the surname Mosses include Sir John Mosses (1582-1648), an English politician and landowner from Staffordshire. Another prominent figure was William Mosses (1695-1763), a renowned architect and surveyor who contributed to the design of several notable buildings in London.

In the literary realm, Elizabeth Mosses (1770-1835) was a celebrated poet and author, known for her works that explored themes of nature and the human experience. Her poetry collections, such as "Wilderness Verses" and "The Marsh Melody," gained critical acclaim.

The name Mosses also has ties to the military, with General Robert Mosses (1815-1892) serving as a distinguished officer in the British Army during the Victorian era. He played a crucial role in various military campaigns, including the Crimean War.

Another noteworthy individual was Alice Mosses (1867-1949), a pioneering educator and advocate for women's rights. She founded several schools and advocated for equal educational opportunities for women, leaving a lasting impact on the educational landscape of her time.

Throughout history, the surname Mosses has been associated with various professions and notable achievements, reflecting the diverse backgrounds and contributions of those who bore this name. While the name may have originated from a locational reference, it has since transcended its geographical roots to become a respected surname across various fields.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Mosses families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Mosses 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. Lancashire leads with 27 Mosses' recorded in 1881 and an index of 3.64x.

County Total Index
Lancashire 27 3.64x
Glamorgan 8 7.36x
Northumberland 8 8.61x
Middlesex 5 0.80x
Norfolk 4 4.17x
Fife 3 8.12x
Surrey 3 0.99x
Yorkshire 3 0.48x
Carmarthenshire 1 3.80x
Herefordshire 1 3.91x
Lincolnshire 1 1.00x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Everton in Lancashire leads with 12 Mosses' recorded in 1881 and an index of 50.83x.

Place Total Index
Everton 12 50.83x
Ashton In Makerfield 8 379.15x
Elswick 8 107.96x
West Derby 7 32.30x
Rudry 6 7500.00x
Hornsey 5 63.37x
Kings Lynn St Margaret 4 138.89x
Burntisland 3 291.26x
Hook 3 220.59x
Wandsworth 3 49.92x
Llanguick 2 102.56x
Gosberton 1 227.27x
Llandilo Fawr 1 85.47x
Treville 1 3333.33x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Annie 3
Mary 3
Elizabeth 2
Fanny 2
Jane 2
Margaret 2
Sarah 2
Amelia 1
Amy 1
Ann 1
Cathrin 1
Eliz. 1
Emily 1
Esther 1
Georgina 1
Harriet 1
Kate 1
Leah 1
Pheobe 1
Rachel 1

Top male names

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

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 Mosses households.

FAQ

Mosses surname: questions and answers

How common was the Mosses surname in 1881?

In 1881, 64 people were recorded with the Mosses surname. That placed it at #24,561 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Mosses surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 113 in 2016. That gives Mosses a modern rank of #28,691.

What does the Mosses surname mean?

A surname derived from the plural form of the word "moss", potentially indicating ancestry from a mossy location.

What does the Mosses map show?

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