NameCensus.

UK surname

Mosson

A Scandinavian surname referring to someone who lived on a peat bog or marshy area.

In the 1881 census there were 58 people recorded with the Mosson surname, ranking it #25,428 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 231, ranked #17,764, up from #25,428 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Lanchester (Collierley, Kyo, Billingside, Medomsley, Ebchchester, Benfieldside, Heelyfield, Conside, Upper and Lower Slaughter and Rissington, Wick. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Cotswold, Castlemilk and Garthamlock, Auchinlea and Gartloch.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Mosson is 249 in 2010. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 298.3%.

1881 census count

58

Ranked #25,428

Modern count

231

2016, ranked #17,764

Peak year

2010

249 bearers

Map years

5

1891 to 2016

Key insights

  • Mosson had 58 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #25,428 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 231 in 2016, ranked #17,764.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 114 in 1891.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Mosson surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Mosson surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Mosson 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 81 #19,457
1861 historical 33 #29,814
1881 historical 58 #25,428
1891 historical 114 #22,006
1901 historical 109 #21,712
1911 historical 93 #23,492
1997 modern 206 #17,315
1998 modern 219 #17,115
1999 modern 218 #17,258
2000 modern 215 #17,388
2001 modern 213 #17,267
2002 modern 221 #17,206
2003 modern 218 #17,131
2004 modern 222 #17,020
2005 modern 239 #16,144
2006 modern 244 #16,011
2007 modern 240 #16,392
2008 modern 241 #16,481
2009 modern 237 #17,052
2010 modern 249 #16,837
2011 modern 248 #16,735
2012 modern 229 #17,537
2013 modern 233 #17,606
2014 modern 227 #18,029
2015 modern 227 #17,941
2016 modern 231 #17,764

Geography

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Where Mossons are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Lanchester (Collierley, Kyo, Billingside, Medomsley, Ebchchester, Benfieldside, Heelyfield, Conside, Upper and Lower Slaughter, Rissington, Wick, Glasgow and Bourton-on-the-Water. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Cotswold, Castlemilk, Garthamlock, Auchinlea and Gartloch, Farme Cross and Gallowflat North and Earlston and Hurlford Rural. 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 Lanchester (Collierley, Kyo, Billingside, Medomsley, Ebchchester, Benfieldside, Heelyfield, Conside Durham
2 Upper and Lower Slaughter Gloucestershire
3 Rissington, Wick Gloucestershire
4 Glasgow Lanark
5 Bourton-on-the-Water Gloucestershire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Cotswold 003 Cotswold
2 Castlemilk Glasgow City
3 Garthamlock, Auchinlea and Gartloch Glasgow City
4 Farme Cross and Gallowflat North South Lanarkshire
5 Earlston and Hurlford Rural East Ayrshire

Forenames

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First names often paired with Mosson

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Mosson

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

Rural Amenity

Nationally, the Mosson surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Rural Amenity, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Mosson 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 comprises older parents or retirees, with no resident dependent children, and with the lowest residential densities in this Supergroup. Predominantly UK-born, residents typically live in detached houses, although others do live in semi-detached and terraced properties. The level of multiple car ownership is the highest in this Supergroup. Most houses are owner occupied although social renting is also present. Many concentrations occur in high amenity rural locations, such as Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

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

Suburban Asian Communities

Group

Settled Semi-Detached Asians

Within London, Mosson is most associated with areas classed as Settled Semi-Detached Asians, part of Suburban Asian Communities. 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

These residents share Supergroup characteristics of large (non-Chinese) Asian populations but those identifying as Bangladeshi are notably absent. Many residents were born in the UK, while other more recent migrants have African birthplaces. Semi-detached housing, much of it owner occupied, prevails in these suburban residential locations.

Wider London pattern

Many residents of these neighbourhoods are of (non-Chinese) Asian descent, with many identifying as Indian, Pakistani or Bangladeshi. Neighbourhoods are located across large areas of suburban west, north-east and south London. Detached, semi-detached and terraced houses are more prevalent than flats and socially rented housing is uncommon. Few residents live in communal establishments. Many families have dependent children, sometimes in overcrowded accommodation, and few households are ethnically mixed. Marriage rates are above the London average. The even age distribution, relative absence of individuals living alone and frequent incidence of households with children suggests that multi-generation households may be relatively common. Employment is often in skilled trades, elementary, sales and customer service occupations, and roles as process, plant, and machine operatives. Manufacturing and construction are well represented, along with employment in distribution, hotels, and restaurants. Many adults have only level 1, 2, or apprenticeship qualifications. English is not used at home by some residents. Religious affiliation is above average.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Mosson is most concentrated in decile 2 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the less healthy 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.

2
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Mosson falls in decile 7 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.

7
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Mosson is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 25-30 mbit/s.

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

5
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

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

Meaning and origin of Mosson

The surname MOSSON originated in England during the late medieval period, likely between the 13th and 15th centuries. It is believed to have derived from the Old English words "mos" meaning "moss" and "tun" meaning "enclosure" or "settlement," suggesting that the name may have referred to an individual who lived near a mossy enclosure or settlement.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname MOSSON can be found in the Feet of Fines for Essex, a collection of legal records from the 13th century, which mentions a John de Mosstone in 1285. The name also appears in the Hundred Rolls of Huntingdonshire from 1273, where it is spelled as "Mosseton."

In the 16th century, the surname MOSSON was prominent in the county of Lincolnshire, where it is believed to have originated. Records from this period include William Mosson, who was born in Gainsborough, Lincolnshire, around 1520, and his son, John Mosson, who was born in the same town in 1548.

During the 17th century, the name MOSSON spread to other parts of England, and several notable individuals bore this surname. One such person was Robert Mosson (1619-1687), an English clergyman and author who served as the rector of Nun Monkton in Yorkshire.

In the 18th century, the MOSSON surname continued to be found in various regions of England. One notable figure was John Mosson (1726-1809), a prominent merchant and landowner in the town of Stratford-upon-Avon, whose family had roots in Warwickshire dating back to the 17th century.

Another individual of note was Thomas Mosson (1768-1842), a British naval officer who served in the Royal Navy during the Napoleonic Wars and was recognized for his bravery and leadership.

In the 19th century, the MOSSON surname gained further prominence with individuals such as William Mosson (1810-1875), a successful industrialist and philanthropist from Yorkshire, who made significant contributions to the development of the textile industry and the improvement of living conditions for workers.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Mosson families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Mosson 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. Gloucestershire leads with 26 Mossons recorded in 1881 and an index of 23.44x.

County Total Index
Gloucestershire 26 23.44x
Lanarkshire 9 4.92x
Lancashire 8 1.19x
Durham 5 2.97x
Middlesex 5 0.88x
Worcestershire 3 4.06x
Hampshire 1 0.86x
Surrey 1 0.36x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Lower Slaughter in Gloucestershire leads with 9 Mossons recorded in 1881 and an index of 22500.00x.

Place Total Index
Lower Slaughter 9 22500.00x
Bourton On The Water 7 3043.48x
East Broughton 7 3684.21x
Wick Rissington 6 20000.00x
Carstairs 5 1315.79x
Stockton On Tees 4 49.32x
Barony 3 6.48x
Stoke Prior 3 652.17x
Upper Slaughter 2 4000.00x
Aldershot 1 25.77x
Broadwell 1 1250.00x
Croydon 1 6.54x
Glasgow 1 3.08x
Great Barrington 1 1111.11x
Liverpool 1 2.45x
Merrington 1 312.50x
St Andrew Holborn 1 52.08x
St Marylebone London 1 3.31x
St Pancras London 1 2.20x
Stoke Newington London 1 22.68x
Westminster St James 1 17.21x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 4
Sarah 3
Emily 2
Emma 2
Maria 2
Ann 1
Annie 1
Clara 1
Edith 1
Eleanor 1
Eliza 1
Elizabeth 1
Elizth. 1
Fanny 1
Jane 1
Margaret 1
Martha 1
Phyllis 1
Selina 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 5
Charles 2
George 2
Henry 2
Joseph 2
Albert 1
Alfred 1
Frederick 1
James 1
Sydney 1
Walter 1
William 1
Wm. 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 Mosson households.

FAQ

Mosson surname: questions and answers

How common was the Mosson surname in 1881?

In 1881, 58 people were recorded with the Mosson surname. That placed it at #25,428 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Mosson surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 231 in 2016. That gives Mosson a modern rank of #17,764.

What does the Mosson surname mean?

A Scandinavian surname referring to someone who lived on a peat bog or marshy area.

What does the Mosson map show?

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