NameCensus.

UK surname

Moules

A French surname derived from the word "moules", meaning mussels or mollusks.

In the 1881 census there were 262 people recorded with the Moules surname, ranking it #10,721 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 488, ranked #10,156, up from #10,721 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Newton, Baldock, Willian, Weston, Clothall, Bygrave, Norton and Hitchin. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Colchester, Wakefield and Mendip.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Moules is 576 in 1998. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 86.3%.

1881 census count

262

Ranked #10,721

Modern count

488

2016, ranked #10,156

Peak year

1998

576 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Moules had 262 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #10,721 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 488 in 2016, ranked #10,156.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 502 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Moules surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Moules surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Moules 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 169 #11,832
1861 historical 146 #15,628
1881 historical 262 #10,721
1891 historical 372 #9,386
1901 historical 403 #9,442
1911 historical 502 #7,809
1997 modern 564 #8,501
1998 modern 576 #8,608
1999 modern 571 #8,726
2000 modern 565 #8,761
2001 modern 560 #8,684
2002 modern 555 #8,919
2003 modern 537 #8,997
2004 modern 532 #9,083
2005 modern 537 #8,951
2006 modern 521 #9,193
2007 modern 521 #9,271
2008 modern 510 #9,499
2009 modern 522 #9,544
2010 modern 531 #9,615
2011 modern 523 #9,634
2012 modern 506 #9,776
2013 modern 504 #9,966
2014 modern 491 #10,222
2015 modern 485 #10,233
2016 modern 488 #10,156

Geography

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Where Moules' are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Newton, Baldock, Willian, Weston, Clothall, Bygrave, Norton, Hitchin, Stevenage and London parishes. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Colchester, Wakefield, Mendip, Torridge and Wiltshire. 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 Newton Cambridgeshire
2 Baldock, Willian, Weston, Clothall, Bygrave, Norton Hertfordshire
3 Hitchin Hertfordshire
4 Stevenage Hertfordshire
5 London parishes London 2

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Colchester 008 Colchester
2 Wakefield 002 Wakefield
3 Mendip 001 Mendip
4 Torridge 003 Torridge
5 Wiltshire 017 Wiltshire

Forenames

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First names often paired with Moules

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Moules

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

The Greater London Mix

Group

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Moules is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers, part of The Greater London Mix. 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 located in Inner London, these neighbourhoods retain a diverse employment structure, with some concentration in associated professional and technical occupations rather than skilled trades or construction. Social renting is more common and levels of homeownership are low. Many residents identify as Black. There is a lower than average rate of marriage or civil partnership, few that are very old (85 or over) and higher than average incidence of disability.

Wider London pattern

A Supergroup embodying London's diversity in many respects, apart from low numbers of residents identifying as of Bangladeshi, Indian, Pakistani or Other (non-Chinese) Asian ethnicity. There is lower than average prevalence of families with dependent children, while there are above average occurrences of never-married individuals and single-person households. The age distribution is skewed towards younger, single residents and couples without children, with many individuals identifying as of mixed or multiple ethnicity. Social rented or private rented housing is slightly more prevalent than average, and many residents live in flats. Individuals typically work in professional and associated roles in public administration, education or health rather than in elementary occupations in agriculture, energy, water, construction or manufacturing. Incidence of students is slightly below average. Individuals declaring no religion are more prevalent than average and non-use of English at home is below average.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Moules 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

Moules falls in decile 2 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the more deprived end of the index.

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

2
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Moules is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 50-60 mbit/s.

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

8
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

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

Meaning and origin of Moules

The surname Moules originates from France, dating back to the Middle Ages. It is believed to have derived from the Old French word "moule," which referred to a mussel or shellfish. This connection suggests that the name may have initially been an occupational surname for someone who harvested or sold mussels.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, where it appears as "Mulet." This spelling variation indicates the name's longstanding presence in England, likely brought over by Norman settlers after the conquest in 1066.

During the 13th century, the surname appeared in various forms, such as "Mule" and "Mulle," in records from counties like Oxfordshire and Somerset. These early spellings reflect the name's evolution over time and regional variations.

In the 14th century, the surname Moules was documented in the Hundred Rolls of Cambridgeshire in 1273, suggesting its spread across different regions of England. This record also mentions a place called "Moulesmere" (now Moulesmere), which may have contributed to the surname's development.

Notable individuals bearing the surname Moules include Sir John Moules (1508-1568), an English politician who served as a Member of Parliament during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I. Another prominent figure was Richard Moules (1675-1724), an English clergyman and author who wrote several religious works.

In the 17th century, the name Moules appeared in various parish records across England, such as the baptism of Thomas Moules in Warwickshire in 1632 and the marriage of John Moules and Elizabeth Carr in Lincolnshire in 1680.

During the 18th century, the surname Moules was associated with several notable individuals, including William Moules (1735-1820), an English engraver and artist who produced numerous illustrations and engravings for various publications.

In the 19th century, the Moules family had a presence in various parts of England, as evidenced by records such as the baptism of Mary Ann Moules in Hertfordshire in 1812 and the marriage of Robert Moules and Jane Garrett in Cambridgeshire in 1845.

Throughout history, the surname Moules has been carried by individuals from diverse backgrounds and professions, reflecting its enduring presence and evolution across different regions and time periods.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Moules families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Moules 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. Hertfordshire leads with 86 Moules' recorded in 1881 and an index of 47.73x.

County Total Index
Hertfordshire 86 47.73x
Essex 37 7.17x
Middlesex 32 1.22x
Cambridgeshire 14 8.46x
Suffolk 13 4.08x
Yorkshire 13 0.50x
Surrey 10 0.79x
Wiltshire 10 4.33x
Norfolk 9 2.24x
Sussex 7 1.59x
Channel Islands 6 7.75x
Derbyshire 6 1.47x
Northamptonshire 6 2.44x
Gloucestershire 4 0.78x
Lanarkshire 4 0.47x
Cheshire 3 0.52x
Devon 2 0.37x
Kent 2 0.22x
Bedfordshire 1 0.74x
Lancashire 1 0.03x
Merionethshire 1 2.09x
Oxfordshire 1 0.62x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Stevenage in Hertfordshire leads with 31 Moules' recorded in 1881 and an index of 1111.11x.

Place Total Index
Stevenage 31 1111.11x
Hitchin 14 172.20x
Marks Tey 11 2972.97x
Colerne 9 947.37x
Friern Barnet 9 156.25x
Navestock 9 1200.00x
St Ippollitts 9 989.01x
Whatfield 9 3600.00x
Baldock 8 473.37x
East Barnet 8 224.09x
Newton 8 1250.00x
Farndale Low Quarter 7 4666.67x
Uckfield 7 364.58x
Chesterfield 6 39.11x
Enfield 6 34.99x
Graveley 6 1764.71x
Hackney London 6 4.09x
Harpenden 6 218.18x
Lambeth 6 2.63x
St Anne 6 434.78x
Wrabness 6 3000.00x
Chelsea London 5 6.35x
Grays Thurrock 5 104.17x
Halstead 5 83.06x
Northampton All Sts 5 59.95x
Croydon 4 5.66x
Egton 4 350.88x
Glasgow 4 2.66x
Horfield 4 77.52x
Walpole St Peter 4 392.16x
West Walton 4 519.48x
Gorleston 3 37.08x
St Giles Cambridge 3 140.19x
Tranmere 3 14.14x
Clothall 2 540.54x
Islington London 2 0.79x
Plumstead 2 6.73x
Bicester Market End 1 33.78x
Box 1 50.76x
Bygrave 1 476.19x
Chulmleigh 1 80.65x
Exeter St Sidwell 1 8.03x
Foxton 1 263.16x
Gate Fulford 1 16.53x
Great Yarmouth 1 3.00x
Llanycil 1 38.91x
Northampton St Sepulchre 1 7.99x
Rusholme 1 12.09x
Shillington 1 50.25x
St George Martyr 1 22.68x
St Luke London 1 2.38x
St Pancras London 1 0.48x
Stoke By Nayland 1 97.09x
Westminster St John 1 3.14x
Wheathampstead 1 48.08x
Whitby 1 11.45x
Whittlesey St Mary St 1 17.30x
Wisbech St Peter 1 12.05x
Witham 1 37.59x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 22
Sarah 16
Elizabeth 12
Ellen 8
Alice 7
Ann 5
Harriett 4
Ada 3
Agnes 3
Emma 3
Annie 2
Florence 2
Jane 2
Julia 2
Lavinia 2
Louisa 2
Margaret 2
Maria 2
Martha 2
Nancy 2
Nellie 2
Anne 1
Bessie 1
Carrie 1
Catherine 1
Edith 1
Eliz. 1
Eliza 1
Elizth.Ellen 1
Fanny 1
Grace 1
Hannah 1
Harriet 1
Kate 1
Kezia 1
Lilley 1
Lousia 1
Lucy 1
Marian 1
Marion 1
Matilda 1
Minnie 1
Pamela 1
Patience 1
Philis 1
Pleasant 1
Rachel 1
Rebekah 1
Rosetta 1
William 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
George 15
William 15
John 14
James 10
Henry 6
Charles 5
Frederick 5
Thomas 5
David 4
Frank 4
Joseph 4
Alfred 3
Leonard 3
Robert 3
Walter 3
Arthur 2
Herbert 2
Infant 2
Tom 2
Abraham 1
B. 1
Benjamin 1
Daniel 1
Edward 1
Ernest 1
Fredk. 1
Fredk.G. 1
Kinwood 1
Maurice 1
Moses 1
Peter 1
Raymond 1
Saml. 1
Uriah 1
Willm. 1

FAQ

Moules surname: questions and answers

How common was the Moules surname in 1881?

In 1881, 262 people were recorded with the Moules surname. That placed it at #10,721 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Moules surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 488 in 2016. That gives Moules a modern rank of #10,156.

What does the Moules surname mean?

A French surname derived from the word "moules", meaning mussels or mollusks.

What does the Moules map show?

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