NameCensus.

UK surname

Moussa

A surname of Arabic origin meaning "Moses," referring to the biblical prophet who led the Israelites out of Egypt.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Newham, Birmingham and Brent.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Moussa is 281 in 2014. Compared with 1881, the name has changed.

1881 census count

-

Modern count

274

2016, ranked #15,759

Peak year

2014

281 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • The latest modern count shown here is 274 in 2016, ranked #15,759.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 4 in 1891.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ethnically Diverse Families in Less Connected Locations.

Moussa surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Moussa surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Moussa 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
1891 historical 4 #34,098
1997 modern 95 #27,638
1998 modern 105 #26,822
1999 modern 106 #26,885
2000 modern 108 #26,549
2001 modern 106 #26,468
2002 modern 132 #23,680
2003 modern 154 #21,308
2004 modern 167 #20,367
2005 modern 174 #19,783
2006 modern 198 #18,425
2007 modern 218 #17,477
2008 modern 230 #17,033
2009 modern 245 #16,646
2010 modern 264 #16,163
2011 modern 248 #16,735
2012 modern 265 #15,862
2013 modern 268 #16,005
2014 modern 281 #15,583
2015 modern 275 #15,707
2016 modern 274 #15,759

Geography

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Where Moussas are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around No data. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Newham, Birmingham, Brent and Westminster. 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 No data No data

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Newham 002 Newham
2 Newham 028 Newham
3 Birmingham 076 Birmingham
4 Brent 016 Brent
5 Westminster 004 Westminster

Forenames

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First names often paired with Moussa

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Moussa

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

Low-Skilled Migrant and Student Communities

Group

Ethnically Diverse Families in Less Connected Locations

Nationally, the Moussa surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Ethnically Diverse Families in Less Connected Locations, within Low-Skilled Migrant and Student Communities. This does not mean every Moussa 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 is often found in less central parts of London and other major towns and cities. Adults are more likely than the Supergroup average to have never been married and are typically aged less than 45 years. Many have young dependent children and individuals may have been born in Africa. There are many members identifying with a Black ethnic group, with the other ethnic groups (as listed in the glossary) also represented, though Chinese less so. Accommodation in flats, frequently socially rented, is common in these neighbourhoods. Part time employment is also common, and work is often in elementary occupations, while unemployment is also the highest within this Supergroup.

Wider pattern

Young adults, many of whom are students, predominate in these high-density and overcrowded neighbourhoods of rented terrace houses or flats. Most ethnic minorities are present in these communities, as are people born in European countries that are not part of the EU. Students aside, low skilled occupations predominate, and unemployment rates are above average. Overall, the mix of students and more sedentary households means that neighbourhood average numbers of children are not very high. The Mixed or Multiple ethnic group composition of neighbourhoods is often associated with low rates of affiliation to Christian religions. This Supergroup predominates in non-central urban locations the UK, particularly within England in the Midlands and the outskirts of west, south and north-east London.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Social Rented Sector Families with Children

Group

Social Rented Sector Pockets

Within London, Moussa is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector Pockets, part of Social Rented Sector Families with Children. 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

Found in pockets across London, residents are less likely to live in private sector rentals and fewer adults are students. Fewer individuals work in transport and communications occupations relative to the Supergroup average. More individuals identify as Black and were born in Africa.

Wider London pattern

Residents of these neighbourhoods include sizable numbers identifying with ethnicities originating outside Europe, particularly in Africa or Bangladesh. The proportion of residents identifying as White, Indian or Pakistani is well below the London average. Neighbourhood age profiles are skewed towards younger adults, and above average numbers of families have children. Rates of use of English at home are below average. Marriage rates are low, and levels of separation or divorce are above average. Housing is predominantly in flats, and renting in the social rented sector the norm - few residents are owner occupiers. Housing is often overcrowded, and neighbourhoods are amongst the most densely populated in London. Disability rates are above average, although levels of unpaid care provision are about average. Employment is in caring, leisure, other service occupations, sales and customer service, or process, plant, and machine operation. Part time working and full-time student study are common. Levels of unemployment are slightly above average. Most residents have only Level 1 or 2 educational qualifications or have completed apprenticeships.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Moussa is most concentrated in decile 10 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.

10
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Moussa falls in decile 3 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.

3
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Moussa 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
Other Ethnic Group

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

Meaning and origin of Moussa

The surname Moussa has its origins in the Arabic language and is derived from the personal name Musa, which translates to "Moses" in English. This name is closely associated with the Islamic faith and culture, as it refers to the revered prophet and leader Moses from the Abrahamic religions.

The earliest records of the surname Moussa can be traced back to the Middle Ages, particularly in regions with a significant Muslim presence, such as the Middle East, North Africa, and parts of the Mediterranean basin. During this time, the name was commonly used among Arab populations, reflecting their deep-rooted cultural and religious traditions.

In the 7th century, the spread of Islam across the Arabian Peninsula and into neighboring regions played a crucial role in the dissemination of the name Moussa. As Muslim conquests expanded into territories like Syria, Egypt, and Persia, the name gained popularity and became widely adopted by those who embraced the Islamic faith.

One of the earliest documented references to the surname Moussa can be found in the writings of renowned Arab scholars and historians from the medieval period. These works often mentioned individuals bearing this name, providing insights into their lives, professions, and contributions to various fields of knowledge.

Throughout history, several notable figures have borne the surname Moussa. One such prominent individual was Al-Moussa Al-Rawi (1154-1233), a renowned mathematician and astronomer from Persia. His seminal works on trigonometry and astronomical calculations significantly advanced the field of Islamic science during the Golden Age of the Abbasid Caliphate.

Another influential figure was Abdallah Moussa (1856-1923), a prominent Egyptian nationalist and political leader who played a pivotal role in the country's struggle for independence from British colonial rule. His efforts to promote Egyptian sovereignty and establish a constitutional monarchy left a lasting impact on the nation's political landscape.

In the realm of literature, the Algerian writer and philosopher Moussa Ait Belghit (1933-2020) gained recognition for his influential works exploring themes of identity, colonialism, and the human condition. His profound writings shed light on the complexities of post-colonial societies and earned him widespread acclaim.

The surname Moussa has also been associated with notable figures in the arts, such as the Egyptian sculptor and painter Moussa Ayoub (1924-2012), whose works captured the essence of traditional Egyptian life and culture through intricate representations of everyday scenes and landscapes.

Furthermore, the name Moussa has been linked to numerous place names and geographical locations throughout the Arab world, reflecting the widespread presence and influence of individuals bearing this surname across various regions.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

FAQ

Moussa surname: questions and answers

How common is the Moussa surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 274 in 2016. That gives Moussa a modern rank of #15,759.

What does the Moussa surname mean?

A surname of Arabic origin meaning "Moses," referring to the biblical prophet who led the Israelites out of Egypt.

What does the Moussa map show?

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