UK surname
A German surname derived from words meaning bridge, dam, or body of water.
In the 1881 census there were 38 people recorded with the Most surname, ranking it #28,285 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 30, ranked #35,997, down from #28,285 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Winwick, Govan Combination and Llanguick. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Most is 110 in 1891. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 21.1%.
1881 census count
38
Ranked #28,285
Modern count
30
2016, ranked #35,997
Peak year
1891
110 bearers
Map years
1
1891 to 1891
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Most surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Most surname density by area, 1891 census.
Timeline
Back to topThe 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 | 26 | #28,667 |
| 1861 | historical | 60 | #26,313 |
| 1881 | historical | 38 | #28,285 |
| 1891 | historical | 110 | #22,557 |
| 1901 | historical | 90 | #24,021 |
| 1911 | historical | 32 | #29,838 |
| 1997 | modern | 14 | #36,528 |
| 1998 | modern | 15 | #36,457 |
| 1999 | modern | 18 | #36,151 |
| 2000 | modern | 21 | #35,799 |
| 2001 | modern | 18 | #35,961 |
| 2002 | modern | 17 | #36,164 |
| 2003 | modern | 17 | #36,198 |
| 2004 | modern | 17 | #36,342 |
| 2005 | modern | 18 | #36,332 |
| 2006 | modern | 21 | #36,179 |
| 2007 | modern | 20 | #36,362 |
| 2008 | modern | 20 | #36,443 |
| 2009 | modern | 22 | #36,394 |
| 2010 | modern | 25 | #36,273 |
| 2011 | modern | 22 | #36,430 |
| 2012 | modern | 28 | #36,048 |
| 2013 | modern | 30 | #35,990 |
| 2014 | modern | 31 | #35,953 |
| 2015 | modern | 29 | #36,040 |
| 2016 | modern | 30 | #35,997 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Winwick, Govan Combination, Llanguick, Wigan and Leigh. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.
The modern local-area list points to No data. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.
| Rank | Parish | Area |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Winwick | Lancashire |
| 2 | Govan Combination | Lanark |
| 3 | Llanguick | Glamorganshire |
| 4 | Wigan | Lancashire |
| 5 | Leigh | Lancashire |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Most surname in historical and recent records.
Recent female names
Recent male names
Modern profile
Back to topModern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Most, 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
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Nationally, the Most surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Most household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.
London neighbourhood type
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Within London, Most is most associated with areas classed as No data, part of No data. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.
Broadband speed
The modern neighbourhood pattern for Most is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Most, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname "MOST" is of Czech origin, and it first appeared in the 14th century in the region of Bohemia, which is now part of the Czech Republic. The name is derived from the Czech word "most," which means "bridge." It is believed that the surname was initially given to people who lived near a bridge or were involved in the construction or maintenance of bridges.
One of the earliest recorded mentions of the surname "MOST" can be found in the Tomas de Valencia's "Codex of 1354," which was a collection of documents related to the city of Prague. In this codex, there is a reference to a person named Jan MOST, who was a bridge builder in the city.
In the 15th century, the surname "MOST" appeared in several historical records, including the "Liber Vetustissimus Archidiaconatus Pragensis," which was a register of the Archdeaconry of Prague. This document mentions a person named Vaclav MOST, who was born in 1432 and worked as a stonemason.
During the 16th century, the surname "MOST" became more widespread in Bohemia and other parts of the Czech lands. One notable individual with this surname was Jan MOST (1548-1612), who was a prominent Czech mathematician and astronomer. He was known for his contributions to the field of trigonometry and his work on the Gregorian calendar reform.
In the 17th century, the surname "MOST" was also found in other parts of Europe, likely due to migration and the spread of the Czech population. One example is Johannes MOST (1610-1679), who was a German composer and organist born in Augsburg, Germany.
Another notable individual with the surname "MOST" was Václav MOST (1804-1868), a Czech writer and journalist who played a significant role in the Czech National Revival movement. He was born in Příbram, Bohemia, and was known for his works promoting the Czech language and culture.
Throughout history, the surname "MOST" has been associated with various professions, including bridge builders, stonemasons, mathematicians, astronomers, composers, writers, and journalists. While the name may have originated from a specific occupation or location, it has since become a common surname in the Czech Republic and other parts of the world where Czech communities have settled.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Most surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.
Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Lancashire leads with 16 Mosts recorded in 1881 and an index of 3.64x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Lancashire | 16 | 3.64x |
| Middlesex | 7 | 1.89x |
| Cheshire | 4 | 4.89x |
| Yorkshire | 4 | 1.09x |
| Surrey | 3 | 1.66x |
| Anglesey | 2 | 30.49x |
| Derbyshire | 1 | 1.72x |
| Durham | 1 | 0.91x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Windle in Lancashire leads with 7 Mosts recorded in 1881 and an index of 283.40x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Windle | 7 | 283.40x |
| Hindley | 4 | 213.90x |
| Sculcoates | 4 | 68.73x |
| Blacon Cum Crabwall | 3 | 10000.00x |
| Camberwell | 2 | 8.45x |
| Golborne | 2 | 350.88x |
| Kensington London | 2 | 9.71x |
| Llandegfan | 2 | 1538.46x |
| Brandon Byshottles | 1 | 72.46x |
| Chorley | 1 | 40.49x |
| Clerkenwell London | 1 | 11.44x |
| Derby St Alkmund | 1 | 57.47x |
| Hackney London | 1 | 4.81x |
| Hulme | 1 | 10.89x |
| Pilkington | 1 | 59.88x |
| Poynton | 1 | 370.37x |
| Rotherhithe | 1 | 21.83x |
| St Anne Soho London | 1 | 47.17x |
| St George In East | 1 | 39.68x |
| Whitechapel London | 1 | 27.40x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Most surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
These are the male first names most often recorded with the Most surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
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 Most households.
FAQ
In 1881, 38 people were recorded with the Most surname. That placed it at #28,285 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 30 in 2016. That gives Most a modern rank of #35,997.
A German surname derived from words meaning bridge, dam, or body of water.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Most bearers relative to the surrounding population.
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.