MOODY
The Moody surname is of English origin and has been documented in the British Isles for many centuries.
The name derives from the Old English word modig, meaning “brave” or “bold.” It was originally a nickname that presumably referred to an individual who displayed courage or daring character.
In early medieval times surnames were often created from nicknames that described a person’s physical attributes or moral qualities. The nickname modig dates from before the seventh century and, through the Middle English period, when the word modie was used, it acquired connotations of being impetuous, haughty or angry. Accordingly the surname was given to those regarded as courageous, arrogant, foolhardy or quick to anger.
Several spellings have evolved over the centuries. The most common forms are Moody, Moodie, Moodey and, in Scotland, Mudie. The spelling Moodie and Mudie are particularly associated with the Scottish form of the name.
The earliest surviving example of the name appears in the year 1100 in Devonshire, where a man named Alwine Modi is recorded in the document Old English Bynames. This evidence confirms that the name has a long recorded history in England.
One of the earliest members of the family to leave England was Symon Moody, who departed London on the ship Globe in August 1635 bound for the Virginia colony of the New World. His migration illustrates the early presence of the name outside Britain.
A coat of arms has been granted to a Moody family of Wiltshire. The shield is green and bears a silver fesse engrailed over another silvers fesse, with a red stripe superimposed. The shield is further decorated with three silver harpies whose hair is golden, and the crest is a wolf's head erased in proper colours.
In contemporary times the surname Moody remains relatively common throughout English‑speaking countries, with its variants continuing to be used in Britain, Ireland, Canada, the United States and elsewhere.
Typical given names associated with the Moody surname
Male
- Andrew
- Christopher
- David
- James
- John
- Michael
- Paul
- Peter
- Richard
- Robert
Female
- Catherine
- Christine
- Elizabeth
- Helen
- Jane
- Karen
- Margaret
- Mary
- Nicola
- Sarah
- Susan
Similar and related surnames
Related and similar names are generated algorithmically based on the spelling, and may not necessarily share an etymology.
How to communicate the surname Moody in...
Braille
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Morse
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Semaphore
Did you know?
According to a survey carried out by Democracy Club, politicians and candidates with the surname Moody are most likely to say that their favourite biscuit is a Shortbread.
There are approximately 13,136 people named Moody in the UK. That makes it the 683rd most common surname in Britain. Around 202 in a million people in Britain are named Moody.
Surname type: Nickname
Origin: English
Region of origin: British Isles
Country of origin: England
Religion of origin: Christian
Language of origin: English
Famous people named Moody
- Ron Moody - Actor (1924 to 2015)
- Lewis Moody - Rugby union player
- Jimmy Moody - Armed Robber, Reputed Contract Killer and Prison escapee (1941 to 1993)
- Micky Moody - Musician
- James Paul Moody - Sailor (1887 to 1912)
- Chris Moody - Golfer
- Harold Moody - Jamaican-British doctor and activist (1882 to 1947)
- Clare Moody - Politician
- Paul Moody - Football player
- David Moody - Writer
- Ken Moody - Football player (1924 to 1)
- Alan Moody - Football player
- Patricia Moody - Sprint canoer
- Harold Moody - Shot putter and discus thrower (1915 to 1986)
- Adrian Moody - Football player
- Clement Moody - Royal Navy admiral (1891 to 1960)
- Robert Moody - Canadian mathematician
Names and descriptions courtesy of Wikipedia, and may contain errors. This is not intended to be an exhaustive list of every famous person with this name.