UK surname
An English surname derived from a Middle English word meaning "drinking mug".
In the 1881 census there were 100 people recorded with the Mugg surname, ranking it #19,750 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 13, ranked #37,278, down from #19,750 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Harborne, Belbroughton and Aston-on-Trent. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Mugg is 126 in 1891. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 87.0%.
1881 census count
100
Ranked #19,750
Modern count
13
2016, ranked #37,278
Peak year
1891
126 bearers
Map years
5
1861 to 1911
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Mugg surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Mugg surname density by area, 1881 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 | 77 | #19,998 |
| 1861 | historical | 111 | #19,429 |
| 1881 | historical | 100 | #19,750 |
| 1891 | historical | 126 | #20,604 |
| 1901 | historical | 114 | #21,166 |
| 1911 | historical | 101 | #22,589 |
| 1997 | modern | 20 | #35,809 |
| 1998 | modern | 20 | #35,885 |
| 1999 | modern | 16 | #36,371 |
| 2000 | modern | 16 | #36,316 |
| 2001 | modern | 15 | #36,265 |
| 2002 | modern | 16 | #36,267 |
| 2003 | modern | 15 | #36,415 |
| 2004 | modern | 16 | #36,439 |
| 2005 | modern | 15 | #36,621 |
| 2006 | modern | 16 | #36,601 |
| 2007 | modern | 14 | #36,886 |
| 2008 | modern | 15 | #36,843 |
| 2009 | modern | 12 | #37,230 |
| 2010 | modern | 13 | #37,215 |
| 2011 | modern | 13 | #37,191 |
| 2012 | modern | 12 | #37,292 |
| 2013 | modern | 13 | #37,224 |
| 2014 | modern | 14 | #37,161 |
| 2015 | modern | 14 | #37,157 |
| 2016 | modern | 13 | #37,278 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Harborne, Belbroughton, Aston-on-Trent, Eccles and Bromsgrove, Upton Warren. 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 | Harborne | Worcestershire |
| 2 | Belbroughton | Worcestershire |
| 3 | Aston-on-Trent | Derbyshire |
| 4 | Eccles | Lancashire |
| 5 | Bromsgrove, Upton Warren | Worcestershire |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Mugg 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 Mugg, 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 Mugg surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Mugg 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, Mugg 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 Mugg is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Mugg, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname "MUGG" is believed to have originated in England during the medieval period. It is derived from an Old English word "mugga," meaning a mug or drinking vessel. The name likely referred to someone who made or sold mugs, or perhaps someone who was fond of drinking from a mug.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname can be found in the Pipe Rolls of Yorkshire from 1166, where a person named William Mugg is mentioned. Additionally, the name appears in the Hundred Rolls of Oxfordshire from 1273, which lists a certain Hugo Mugge.
The name's association with place names is evident in the village of Muggington in Derbyshire, which is believed to have derived its name from a similar Old English word meaning "the settlement of the mug-makers."
In the 14th century, the surname is found in various spellings such as Mugge, Mugge, and Mugghe in records from different parts of England. One notable individual from this period was John Mugge, a mercer (textile merchant) from London, who was mentioned in the city's records in 1376.
During the 15th century, the name continued to appear in various parts of England. One such example is Thomas Mugg, a landowner from Warwickshire, who was recorded in the Lay Subsidy Rolls of 1428.
In the 16th century, the surname gained prominence with the rise of Sir Thomas Mugg (1550-1617), a successful merchant and alderman of the City of London. He was a member of the Worshipful Company of Haberdashers and served as the Sheriff of London in 1598.
Another notable figure was Robert Mugg (1608-1667), a clergyman from Gloucestershire, who became the Archdeacon of Berkshire in 1660.
In the 17th century, the surname spread to other parts of the British Isles, with records showing individuals named Mugg in Scotland and Ireland. One such example is William Mugg (1635-1702), a Scottish merchant and burgess (town councillor) of Edinburgh.
As the centuries progressed, the Mugg surname continued to be found throughout England and other parts of the British Isles. While not as prominent as some other surnames, it has maintained a presence throughout history, with various individuals bearing this name making contributions in various fields.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Mugg 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 14 Muggs recorded in 1881 and an index of 1.21x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Lancashire | 14 | 1.21x |
| Staffordshire | 10 | 3.04x |
| Worcestershire | 10 | 7.85x |
| Angus | 9 | 9.96x |
| Middlesex | 9 | 0.92x |
| Warwickshire | 9 | 3.66x |
| Kincardineshire | 7 | 58.92x |
| Lincolnshire | 7 | 4.49x |
| Cambridgeshire | 5 | 8.09x |
| Cheshire | 5 | 2.32x |
| Derbyshire | 4 | 2.62x |
| Devon | 2 | 0.99x |
| Nottinghamshire | 2 | 1.52x |
| Yorkshire | 2 | 0.21x |
| Buckinghamshire | 1 | 1.70x |
| Gloucestershire | 1 | 0.52x |
| Kent | 1 | 0.30x |
| Leicestershire | 1 | 0.92x |
| Surrey | 1 | 0.21x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Harborne in Staffordshire leads with 10 Muggs recorded in 1881 and an index of 94.79x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Harborne | 10 | 94.79x |
| Barton Upon Irwell | 9 | 103.33x |
| Belbroughton | 9 | 1363.64x |
| St Marylebone London | 9 | 17.28x |
| Great Grimsby | 7 | 70.71x |
| Aston | 6 | 8.86x |
| St Andrewthe Less | 5 | 70.82x |
| Worsley | 5 | 70.13x |
| Benholm | 4 | 784.31x |
| Liff Benvie | 4 | 29.15x |
| Montrose | 4 | 72.99x |
| Dukinfield | 3 | 30.15x |
| Birmingham | 2 | 2.44x |
| Bradford | 2 | 8.55x |
| Fordoun | 2 | 298.51x |
| Mottram | 2 | 204.08x |
| Shardlow | 2 | 689.66x |
| Stapleford | 2 | 186.92x |
| Brimpsfield | 1 | 833.33x |
| Bromsgrove | 1 | 23.31x |
| Dartford | 1 | 29.41x |
| Dorking | 1 | 31.35x |
| Edgbaston | 1 | 13.11x |
| Elvaston | 1 | 526.32x |
| Fettercairn | 1 | 196.08x |
| Kinnel | 1 | 434.78x |
| Modbury | 1 | 192.31x |
| Morley | 1 | 1111.11x |
| Sheepshed | 1 | 67.57x |
| Weedon | 1 | 714.29x |
| Wolborough | 1 | 38.91x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Mugg 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 Mugg 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 Mugg households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| Scholar | 18 |
| Nailor | 6 |
| Coachman (Dom) | 2 |
| Cotton Reeler | 2 |
| Cotton Weaver | 2 |
| Engine Fitter | 2 |
| Joiner | 2 |
| Sail Maker | 2 |
| Assurance Agent | 1 |
| Brick Layer | 1 |
| Bricklayer | 1 |
| Charwoman | 1 |
| Clock And Watch Jobber | 1 |
| Coachman | 1 |
| Coachman D | 1 |
| Cook Domestic Serv | 1 |
| Domestic Serv | 1 |
| Draper | 1 |
| Errand Boy | 1 |
| F W K Silk & Wool | 1 |
| Farmer (87 Acres Empl 1 Man 1 Boy) | 1 |
| Farmers Wife | 1 |
| Gen Serv | 1 |
| General Labourer | 1 |
| Groom (Dom) | 1 |
| Housekeeper | 1 |
| Houses & Dividends | 1 |
| Indoor Farm Servant | 1 |
| Iron Turner | 1 |
| Light Porter | 1 |
| Office Boy (Errd) | 1 |
| Page Boy | 1 |
| Serv Domestic | 1 |
| Servant | 1 |
| Unemployed | 1 |
| Wheelwright | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 100 people were recorded with the Mugg surname. That placed it at #19,750 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 13 in 2016. That gives Mugg a modern rank of #37,278.
An English surname derived from a Middle English word meaning "drinking mug".
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Mugg 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.