NameCensus.

UK surname

Moxey

A locational surname originating from Moxhull in Warwickshire, England.

In the 1881 census there were 387 people recorded with the Moxey surname, ranking it #8,152 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 473, ranked #10,409, down from #8,152 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Exeter St David (including Castle Yard), Moorlinch and London parishes. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Exeter, Cheltenham and Sedgemoor.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Moxey is 553 in 1999. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 22.2%.

1881 census count

387

Ranked #8,152

Modern count

473

2016, ranked #10,409

Peak year

1999

553 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Moxey had 387 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #8,152 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 473 in 2016, ranked #10,409.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 507 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Moxey surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Moxey surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Moxey 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 237 #9,152
1861 historical 170 #13,763
1881 historical 387 #8,152
1891 historical 417 #8,579
1901 historical 504 #8,006
1911 historical 507 #7,760
1997 modern 525 #8,977
1998 modern 545 #8,987
1999 modern 553 #8,945
2000 modern 536 #9,133
2001 modern 536 #8,979
2002 modern 550 #8,981
2003 modern 522 #9,204
2004 modern 522 #9,218
2005 modern 490 #9,577
2006 modern 488 #9,648
2007 modern 493 #9,662
2008 modern 480 #9,948
2009 modern 494 #9,953
2010 modern 519 #9,768
2011 modern 507 #9,854
2012 modern 477 #10,205
2013 modern 479 #10,343
2014 modern 481 #10,387
2015 modern 475 #10,396
2016 modern 473 #10,409

Geography

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Where Moxeys are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Exeter St David (including Castle Yard), Moorlinch, London parishes, Edinburgh and St Thomas the Apostle, Whitestone. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Exeter, Cheltenham and Sedgemoor. 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 Exeter St David (including Castle Yard) Devon
2 Moorlinch Somerset
3 London parishes London 3
4 Edinburgh Edinburgh
5 St Thomas the Apostle, Whitestone Devon

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Exeter 012 Exeter
2 Exeter 005 Exeter
3 Cheltenham 005 Cheltenham
4 Sedgemoor 006 Sedgemoor
5 Exeter 011 Exeter

Forenames

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First names often paired with Moxey

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Moxey

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

Moxey is most concentrated in decile 4 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.

4
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Moxey falls in decile 8 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.

8
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Moxey 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 Moxey, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Moxey

The surname Moxey is believed to have originated in England, likely during the medieval period. It is thought to be derived from the Old English word "moxa," which referred to a patch of coarse, marshy ground or a marshy area. This suggests that the name may have been initially used as a descriptive surname for someone who lived near or worked on such marshy land.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Hundred Rolls of Buckinghamshire from 1273, which mentions a William Moxey. This indicates that the surname was already in use by the 13th century in parts of England.

In the 14th century, the surname appeared in various records, such as the Subsidy Rolls of Worcestershire from 1327, which listed a John Moxey. Additionally, the Poll Tax records of Yorkshire from 1379 included a Robert Moxey.

During the 16th century, the name was sometimes spelled slightly differently, such as "Moxsie" or "Moxsye." This variation can be seen in records like the Lay Subsidy Rolls of Essex from 1524, which mentioned a John Moxsye.

One notable individual with the surname Moxey was Sir John Moxey (1555-1624), an English politician and Member of Parliament for Stafford during the reign of King James I.

In the 17th century, the name Moxey appeared in various parish records and court documents across different regions of England. For example, the Parish Registers of St. Mary's Church in Warwick recorded the baptism of a Elizabeth Moxey in 1638.

Another individual of note was Thomas Moxey (1655-1723), an English clergyman and author who served as the Rector of Tittleshall in Norfolk.

Moving into the 18th century, the surname Moxey continued to be found in various records, such as the Land Tax Assessments of Gloucestershire from 1770, which listed a Richard Moxey.

One of the most famous individuals with the surname Moxey was Edward Moxey (1793-1871), an English engineer and inventor who made significant contributions to the development of agricultural machinery, including the first successful threshing machine.

While the surname Moxey is not among the most common surnames in modern times, it has a rich history that can be traced back to medieval England, with its origins likely rooted in the Old English language and the description of marshy lands.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Moxey families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Moxey 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. Devon leads with 103 Moxeys recorded in 1881 and an index of 12.87x.

County Total Index
Devon 103 12.87x
Somerset 66 10.67x
Middlesex 58 1.51x
Surrey 25 1.33x
Gloucestershire 23 3.05x
Essex 16 2.11x
Lancashire 14 0.31x
Midlothian 13 2.52x
Kent 11 0.84x
Suffolk 9 1.92x
Yorkshire 9 0.24x
Hampshire 7 0.89x
Oxfordshire 7 2.95x
Cheshire 6 0.71x
Northumberland 5 0.87x
Glamorgan 4 0.60x
Herefordshire 4 2.54x
Berkshire 3 1.04x
Channel Islands 3 2.63x
Montgomeryshire 3 3.41x
Derbyshire 2 0.33x
Royal Navy 2 4.37x
Sussex 1 0.15x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Cheltenham in Gloucestershire leads with 17 Moxeys recorded in 1881 and an index of 29.23x.

Place Total Index
Cheltenham 17 29.23x
Exeter Alphington 16 1088.44x
West Ham 16 9.55x
Catcott 15 2083.33x
Edington 14 2456.14x
Islington London 14 3.76x
Wandsworth 13 35.14x
Pinhoe 12 1666.67x
Edinburgh Canongate 11 83.97x
Exeter St Thomas The 11 134.80x
Moorlinch 11 3333.33x
Bedminster 9 15.48x
Gorleston 9 75.69x
Hornsey 8 16.46x
Ramsgate 8 37.38x
West Derby 8 6.00x
Charlbury 7 263.16x
Bow London 6 12.26x
Broad Clist 6 217.39x
Camberwell 6 2.44x
Chilton Polden 6 1304.35x
Portsea 6 3.89x
Poulton Cum Seacombe 6 61.48x
St Luke London 6 9.73x
Stoke Damerel 6 10.72x
Wolborough 6 59.35x
Bristol St Philip Jacob 5 7.05x
Ecclesall Bierlow 5 6.45x
Exeter Holy Trinity 5 159.24x
Exeter St Mary Major 5 103.73x
Grenton 5 2777.78x
Newton Abbot St Mary 5 74.52x
Shapwick 5 862.07x
Shoreditch London 5 3.00x
Exeter St Leonard 4 182.65x
Heeley 4 34.57x
Hereford St Martin 4 209.42x
Littleham 4 68.38x
Roath 4 13.16x
St Pancras London 4 1.29x
Tynemouth 4 13.06x
Whitestone 4 655.74x
Battersea 3 2.12x
Exeter St Paul 3 189.87x
Exeter St Sidwell 3 16.38x
Hampstead London 3 5.01x
Kensington London 3 1.40x
Lower Darwen 3 50.08x
Pool 3 45.18x
Silverton 3 179.64x
St Clement 3 173.41x
West Swallowfield 3 218.98x
Willesden 3 8.28x
Blackburn 2 1.65x
Exminster 2 69.44x
Highweek 2 70.18x
Norton 2 40.32x
Reigate Borough 2 46.30x
Royal Navy 2 5.11x
Tormoham 2 5.91x
Westminster St James 2 5.06x
Woolwich 2 4.13x
Alkham 1 131.58x
Cirencester 1 9.79x
Devonport 1 10.88x
East Budleigh 1 26.53x
Edinburgh St Cuthberts 1 0.48x
Everton 1 0.69x
Frant 1 21.79x
Hackney London 1 0.46x
Holcombe Burnell 1 344.83x
Lambeth 1 0.30x
Lympston 1 69.93x
North Shields 1 8.76x
Poplar London 1 1.38x
Portsmouth 1 5.51x
Queensferry 1 192.31x
St Andrew Holborn 1 7.67x
Tottenham 1 1.63x
West Buckland 1 84.03x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 29
Elizabeth 17
Sarah 10
Eliza 9
Ellen 8
Alice 7
Emily 7
Jane 7
Annie 6
Florence 6
Ann 5
Frances 4
Jessie 4
Louisa 4
Emma 3
Hannah 3
Harriet 3
Lucy 3
Rose 3
Ada 2
Anna 2
Beatrice 2
Bertha 2
Bessie 2
Charlotte 2
Clara 2
Edith 2
Eleanor 2
Fanny 2
Miriam 2
Susan 2
Agnes 1
Amy 1
Barbara 1
Betsy 1
Dahlia 1
Eda 1
Effie... 1
Elisth. 1
Ellin 1
Georgina 1
Grace 1
Harriett 1
Helen 1
Irnet 1
Johannah 1
Lavenia 1
Lavinia 1
Lily 1
Tessie 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 26
John 23
George 18
James 14
Charles 11
Thomas 6
Frank 5
Samuel 5
Frederick 4
Joseph 4
Arthur 3
Ernest 3
Henry 3
Albert 2
Alfred 2
Edward 2
Edwin 2
Francis 2
Hubert 2
Peter 2
Robert 2
Tom 2
Walter 2
Willm. 2
Allen 1
Benjamin 1
Chas. 1
Cornelius 1
E.J. 1
Evelyn 1
Frances 1
Fredk. 1
Harold 1
Hebden 1
Herbert 1
Hugh 1
Jno. 1
Joshua 1
Leonard 1
Lewis 1
Martin 1
Milford 1
Oliver 1
Pannis 1
Percy 1
Richard 1
Rowland 1
Sidney 1
Vincent 1
Wm.John 1

FAQ

Moxey surname: questions and answers

How common was the Moxey surname in 1881?

In 1881, 387 people were recorded with the Moxey surname. That placed it at #8,152 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Moxey surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 473 in 2016. That gives Moxey a modern rank of #10,409.

What does the Moxey surname mean?

A locational surname originating from Moxhull in Warwickshire, England.

What does the Moxey map show?

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