NameCensus.

UK surname

Muse

A surname derived from the Old French word "muse," meaning a person who daydreams or is absorbed in thought.

In the 1881 census there were 182 people recorded with the Muse surname, ranking it #13,647 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 608, ranked #8,623, up from #13,647 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Walsingham, Lanchester (Collierley, Kyo, Billingside, Medomsley, Ebchchester, Benfieldside, Heelyfield, Conside and Dudley. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Carlisle, Newcastle upon Tyne and Sheffield.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Muse is 608 in 2016. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 234.1%.

1881 census count

182

Ranked #13,647

Modern count

608

2016, ranked #8,623

Peak year

2016

608 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Muse had 182 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #13,647 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 608 in 2016, ranked #8,623.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 276 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ethnically Diverse Families in Less Connected Locations.

Muse surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Muse surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Muse 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 138 #13,745
1861 historical 111 #19,429
1881 historical 182 #13,647
1891 historical 210 #14,412
1901 historical 261 #12,775
1911 historical 276 #12,099
1997 modern 312 #13,182
1998 modern 319 #13,330
1999 modern 342 #12,829
2000 modern 342 #12,771
2001 modern 336 #12,721
2002 modern 340 #12,884
2003 modern 358 #12,208
2004 modern 371 #11,914
2005 modern 388 #11,437
2006 modern 400 #11,257
2007 modern 425 #10,837
2008 modern 452 #10,369
2009 modern 479 #10,179
2010 modern 546 #9,408
2011 modern 521 #9,660
2012 modern 547 #9,203
2013 modern 573 #9,034
2014 modern 603 #8,769
2015 modern 600 #8,738
2016 modern 608 #8,623

Geography

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Where Muses are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Walsingham, Lanchester (Collierley, Kyo, Billingside, Medomsley, Ebchchester, Benfieldside, Heelyfield, Conside, Dudley, Frampton and Newburn. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Carlisle, Newcastle upon Tyne, Sheffield and West Lancashire. 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 Walsingham Durham
2 Lanchester (Collierley, Kyo, Billingside, Medomsley, Ebchchester, Benfieldside, Heelyfield, Conside Durham
3 Dudley Staffordshire
4 Frampton Lincolnshire
5 Newburn Northumberland

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Carlisle 001 Carlisle
2 Newcastle upon Tyne 013 Newcastle upon Tyne
3 Sheffield 037 Sheffield
4 Newcastle upon Tyne 002 Newcastle upon Tyne
5 West Lancashire 011 West Lancashire

Forenames

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First names often paired with Muse

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Muse

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

Muse 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

Muse 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 Muse 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 Muse, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Muse

The surname Muse is of English origin, derived from the Old French word "muse," meaning a poet or a singer. This name first emerged in the 13th century and was originally an occupational surname given to skilled poets, musicians, or minstrels.

In medieval times, minstrels and troubadours were highly regarded for their ability to entertain and compose verses. The surname Muse was likely bestowed upon individuals who excelled in these artistic pursuits, reflecting their profession or talent.

Some of the earliest records of the name Muse can be found in the Hundred Rolls of Cambridgeshire from 1273, where it appears as "le Muse." This entry suggests that the name was already established in England by the late 13th century.

The Muse surname has also been found in various historical documents, such as the Subsidy Rolls of Sussex from 1327, which lists a John le Muse. Additionally, the Pipe Rolls of Gloucestershire from 1301 mention a Walter le Muse, indicating the presence of the name in different regions of England.

One notable individual bearing this surname was John Muse (c. 1583-1636), an English clergyman and author who wrote several religious works, including "Mosaic's Gospel-History" and "The Catholic's Appeal for Sacred Scripture."

Another prominent figure was Thomas Muse (1599-1679), a Virginia landowner and politician who served as a member of the House of Burgesses and was instrumental in establishing the colonial government in Virginia.

In literature, Edward Lytton Muse (1803-1890) was an English poet and novelist known for his works such as "The Autobiography of a Phrenological Student" and "The Poetical Remains of Edward Lytton Muse."

The name Muse has also been associated with places, such as Muse Hall in Lancashire, England, which was named after a local family bearing the surname.

Throughout history, the surname Muse has been spelled in various ways, including Muse, Mews, Mewse, and Mewys, reflecting the evolution of the English language and regional variations in pronunciation and spelling.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Muse families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Muse 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. Durham leads with 48 Muses recorded in 1881 and an index of 9.09x.

County Total Index
Durham 48 9.09x
Northumberland 45 17.04x
Lincolnshire 27 9.51x
Cumberland 21 13.74x
Lancashire 15 0.71x
Middlesex 7 0.39x
Norfolk 7 2.56x
Surrey 7 0.81x
Yorkshire 5 0.28x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Wolsingham in Durham leads with 19 Muses recorded in 1881 and an index of 395.01x.

Place Total Index
Wolsingham 19 395.01x
Westgate 13 79.46x
Newburn 9 1200.00x
St Swithin Lincoln 9 201.79x
Sutterton 9 1578.95x
Benfieldside 7 201.73x
Caldewgate 7 83.63x
Healeyfield 7 3181.82x
Liverpool 7 5.47x
Penrith 7 123.89x
Throckley 7 958.90x
Wardleworth 7 58.14x
Wiggenhall St Peter 7 7777.78x
St Mary Within 6 314.14x
Camberwell 5 4.41x
Darlington 5 24.52x
Holy Trinity 5 11.82x
Elswick 4 18.98x
Jesmond 4 107.53x
Paddington London 4 6.13x
Pinchbeck 4 219.78x
St Nicholas Lincoln 4 147.60x
Greencroft 3 309.28x
Medomsley 3 121.95x
Gateshead 2 5.06x
Godalming 2 36.70x
Haydon 2 138.89x
Kensington London 2 2.03x
Tynemouth 2 14.13x
Acomb 1 156.25x
Cheetham 1 6.37x
Dacre 1 169.49x
Slaley 1 384.62x
Spalding 1 17.76x
St Marylebone London 1 1.06x
Stanhope 1 18.35x
Waldridge 1 113.64x
Wall 1 416.67x
Whittonstall 1 1111.11x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 17
Elizabeth 10
Sarah 9
Jane 7
Ann 6
Margaret 4
Emily 3
Annie 2
Catherine 2
Eliza 2
Hannah 2
Maggie 2
Rose 2
Ada 1
Agnes 1
Alice 1
Amy 1
Charlotte 1
Dorothy 1
Edith 1
Ellen 1
Emma 1
Ethel 1
Fanny 1
Frances 1
Hanh.A. 1
Isabella 1
Lilian 1
Louisa 1
Lucy 1
Margretta 1
Maria 1
Marry 1
Martha 1
Minnie 1
Rebecca 1
Sophia 1
Susannah 1
Thamer 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 18
Thomas 13
George 9
William 7
Joseph 5
Charles 4
James 4
Robert 4
Henry 3
Nicholas 3
Richard 3
Harry 2
Walter 2
Albert 1
Joshua 1
Leonard 1
Mat. 1
Matthew 1
Michael 1
Thos. 1
Tom 1
Watson 1

FAQ

Muse surname: questions and answers

How common was the Muse surname in 1881?

In 1881, 182 people were recorded with the Muse surname. That placed it at #13,647 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Muse surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 608 in 2016. That gives Muse a modern rank of #8,623.

What does the Muse surname mean?

A surname derived from the Old French word "muse," meaning a person who daydreams or is absorbed in thought.

What does the Muse map show?

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