MOSLEY

Origin and etymology In historic texts In the 1881 census Distribution map

Mosley

Mosley is an English surname of Anglo-Saxon origin. It is derived from the Old English personal name "Moss", meaning “a peat bog or marshland”, and the suffix "-ley", indicating a clearing or field. The name is thought to have originated in various places in England where such features were prevalent.

The Mosley family has a long history in British society, with records dating back to the 12th century. One of the most notable figures with this surname was Sir Oswald Mosley (1896–1980), a British politician who founded the British Union of Fascists in the 1930s. Despite his controversial political views, Mosley remains a significant figure in British history.

Throughout the centuries, the Mosley surname has spread to various English-speaking countries, such as the United States, Canada, and Australia, due to migration and colonial expansion. Today, individuals with the surname Mosley can be found in diverse professions and walks of life, contributing to the rich tapestry of the British and global communities.

There are approximately 4,053 people named Mosley in the UK. That makes it roughly the 2,306th most common surname in Britain. Around 62 in a million people in Britain are named Mosley.

Surname type: Location or geographical feature

Origin: English

Region of origin: British Isles

Country of origin: England

Religion of origin: Christian

Language of origin: English

Typical given names associated with the surname

Male

Andrew
David
James
John
Michael
Paul
Peter
Richard
Robert
Stephen

Female

Claire
Helen
Jane
Julie
Karen
Margaret
Mary
Nicola
Rebecca
Sarah
Susan

Similar and related surnames

Related and similar names are generated algorithmically based on the spelling, and may not necessarily share an etymology.