NameCensus.

UK surname

Mote

An English occupational surname referring to someone who lived near or worked at a moot or meeting place.

In the 1881 census there were 198 people recorded with the Mote surname, ranking it #12,922 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 282, ranked #15,406, down from #12,922 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Coveney, Manea, Mepal, Downham, Witcham, Witchford, Wentworth, London parishes and Battersea. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Cornwall, Fenland and Rhondda Cynon Taf.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Mote is 290 in 2014. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 42.4%.

1881 census count

198

Ranked #12,922

Modern count

282

2016, ranked #15,406

Peak year

2014

290 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Mote had 198 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #12,922 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 282 in 2016, ranked #15,406.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 244 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Mote surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Mote surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Mote 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 134 #14,033
1861 historical 100 #21,103
1881 historical 198 #12,922
1891 historical 184 #15,869
1901 historical 222 #14,169
1911 historical 244 #13,127
1997 modern 255 #15,077
1998 modern 253 #15,547
1999 modern 235 #16,458
2000 modern 243 #16,053
2001 modern 238 #16,004
2002 modern 254 #15,641
2003 modern 246 #15,769
2004 modern 252 #15,618
2005 modern 249 #15,679
2006 modern 248 #15,820
2007 modern 252 #15,815
2008 modern 252 #15,984
2009 modern 267 #15,661
2010 modern 277 #15,595
2011 modern 259 #16,237
2012 modern 255 #16,296
2013 modern 274 #15,764
2014 modern 290 #15,203
2015 modern 288 #15,190
2016 modern 282 #15,406

Geography

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Where Motes are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Coveney, Manea, Mepal, Downham, Witcham, Witchford, Wentworth, London parishes, Battersea, Mottram-in-Longdendale and St John Hackney. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Cornwall, Fenland, Rhondda Cynon Taf and Bromley. 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 Coveney, Manea, Mepal, Downham, Witcham, Witchford, Wentworth Cambridgeshire
2 London parishes London 3
3 Battersea London (South Districts)
4 Mottram-in-Longdendale Lancashire
5 St John Hackney London (North Districts)

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Cornwall 017 Cornwall
2 Fenland 003 Fenland
3 Rhondda Cynon Taf 015 Rhondda Cynon Taf
4 Bromley 037 Bromley
5 Rhondda Cynon Taf 031 Rhondda Cynon Taf

Forenames

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First names often paired with Mote

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Mote

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Mote, 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 Mote surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Rural Amenity, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Mote 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

Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs

Group

Professional Periphery

Within London, Mote is most associated with areas classed as Professional Periphery, part of Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs. 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 neighbourhoods predominantly house residents aged 45+, with many aged 85+. Most employed residents work in senior roles, and relatively few work in unskilled jobs. Terraced housing is comparatively rare, but communal living is more common. More residents identify as of Indian ethnicity and more affiliate with non-Christian religions. Disability levels are below the Supergroup average.

Wider London pattern

The age distribution of these neighbourhoods is skewed towards the middle-aged and old, although few residents live alone or in communal establishments and numbers of dependent children are around average. Owner occupation is the norm, as is residence in detached or semi-detached houses. Residential densities are low and many households have spare rooms. Most residents were born in the UK and, aside from some identifying as members of Chinese or Indian ethnicities, identify as White. Mixed ethnicity households are rare. Incidence of married couples is higher than average and few individuals have never been married. A large proportion of individuals still in employment work in administrative and secretarial occupations, or in the construction industry. Few residents are students, and many households own more than one car.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Mote is most concentrated in decile 7 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname near the middle of the scale.

Lower deciles point towards weaker access to healthy assets or stronger exposure to local hazards. Higher deciles point towards stronger access and fewer hazards.

7
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Mote falls in decile 9 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the less deprived end of the index.

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

9
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Mote 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 - British

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

Meaning and origin of Mote

The surname MOTE has its origins in England, dating back to the medieval period. The name is believed to be derived from the Old English word "mot," meaning a small particle or speck of dust, suggesting that it may have originated as a descriptive nickname for someone who was perhaps untidy or unkempt.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, where it appears as "Mot" or "Motte." This significant historical document, commissioned by William the Conqueror, provides valuable insights into the distribution of surnames in England during that era.

The name MOTE has also been associated with various place names across England, such as Mote Hill in Kent, Mote Park in Maidstone, and Mote Green in Hertfordshire. These place names may have influenced the surname's evolution or provided a geographical context for its origins.

Among the notable individuals bearing the surname MOTE throughout history is Sir William Mote (1553-1639), an English politician and landowner who served as a Member of Parliament for Kent in the early 17th century. Another prominent figure was John Mote (1711-1792), an English clergyman and academic who served as the President of Queen's College, Oxford.

In the literary realm, Benjamin Motte (1692-1738) was an English bookseller and publisher known for publishing the works of authors such as Daniel Defoe and Jonathan Swift. He played a significant role in the dissemination of literature during the 18th century.

The name MOTE has also been associated with military service. Major General Sir Andrew Mote (1766-1837) was a British Army officer who served in the Napoleonic Wars and was knighted for his bravery and leadership.

One cannot overlook the contribution of Mary Motte (1737-1815), an American Revolutionary War heroine known for her courage and resilience during the Siege of Fort Motte in South Carolina. Her actions earned her recognition as a patriot and an influential figure in the war's history.

These examples illustrate the historical significance and widespread presence of the surname MOTE across various fields and time periods, making it an intriguing subject for study and exploration.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Mote families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Mote 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 77 Motes recorded in 1881 and an index of 3.99x.

County Total Index
Middlesex 77 3.99x
Cambridgeshire 47 38.42x
Surrey 24 2.55x
Norfolk 9 3.03x
Essex 8 2.10x
Somerset 8 2.57x
Cheshire 7 1.64x
Gloucestershire 2 0.53x
Kent 2 0.30x
Lanarkshire 2 0.32x
Northamptonshire 2 1.10x
Oxfordshire 2 1.68x
Suffolk 2 0.85x
Sussex 2 0.61x
Cumberland 1 0.60x
Lancashire 1 0.04x
Lincolnshire 1 0.32x
Warwickshire 1 0.21x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Islington London in Middlesex leads with 33 Motes recorded in 1881 and an index of 17.63x.

Place Total Index
Islington London 33 17.63x
Manea 20 2597.40x
Hornsey 13 53.24x
Camberwell 11 8.92x
Battersea 10 14.07x
Wicken 10 1785.71x
Kenninghall 9 1097.56x
Hackney London 8 7.39x
Poplar London 8 21.95x
West Ham 8 9.50x
Hollingworth 7 397.73x
Upwell 7 777.78x
Hampstead London 6 19.95x
North Petherton 6 239.04x
Wisbech St Mary 5 357.14x
Tottenham 4 13.00x
Wisbech St Peter 4 65.25x
Brighton 2 3.04x
Bristol St James St Paul 2 15.84x
Ewhurst 2 338.98x
Great Barton 2 370.37x
Old Monkland 2 8.07x
St Pancras London 2 1.29x
Tonbridge 2 8.41x
Weston Zoyland 2 454.55x
Brampton 1 43.86x
Chadderton 1 8.93x
Clapham 1 4.14x
Doddington 1 111.11x
Ealing 1 5.79x
Headington 1 54.05x
Hendon 1 14.39x
Hunningham 1 555.56x
Kettering 1 13.61x
Oxford St Thomas 1 17.95x
Paddington London 1 1.41x
Peterborough 1 7.60x
Potter Hanworth 1 344.83x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 9
Elizabeth 5
Emily 5
Martha 5
Charlotte 4
Sarah 4
Alice 3
Ellen 3
Harriet 3
Jane 3
Annie 2
Eliza 2
Fanny 2
Frances 2
Harriett 2
Kate 2
M. 2
Pheobe 2
Sophia 2
Susan 2
Caroline 1
Charllotte 1
Clara 1
Constance 1
Drucilla 1
Elizth. 1
Emma 1
Ethel 1
Evangelina 1
Gertrude 1
Hannah 1
Hariet 1
Henrietta 1
Jessie 1
Ketty 1
Laura 1
Liliain 1
Lilly 1
Lucy 1
Mahala 1
Margert 1
Marian 1
Minnie 1
Nellie 1
Octovia 1
Phebe 1
Rebecca 1
Rosanah 1
Sophie 1
Susun 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
James 11
Edward 9
William 9
John 6
Arthur 5
Joseph 5
Albert 4
Frederick 4
George 4
Herbert 3
Walter 3
Abraham 2
Harry 2
Henry 2
Percy 2
Thomas 2
Alfred 1
Auther 1
Bertie 1
Clemment 1
Ernest 1
Fordham 1
Francis 1
Frank 1
Fred 1
Fredck. 1
Fredric 1
Georde 1
H. 1
Harold 1
Horace 1
Hurden 1
Jeremiah 1
Jim 1
Louis 1
Mathew 1
Matthew 1
Ralph 1
Richmond 1
Samuel 1
Sidney 1
Tom 1
Willm. 1

FAQ

Mote surname: questions and answers

How common was the Mote surname in 1881?

In 1881, 198 people were recorded with the Mote surname. That placed it at #12,922 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Mote surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 282 in 2016. That gives Mote a modern rank of #15,406.

What does the Mote surname mean?

An English occupational surname referring to someone who lived near or worked at a moot or meeting place.

What does the Mote map show?

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