Surname Moseley - Meaning and Origin

Exploring My Lineage: What My iGENEA DNA Test Reveals about the Moseley Surname

Undergoing a DNA test through iGENEA has been an informative and enlightening journey. The results have unveiled interesting details about my lineage, particularly regarding the origin and history of my surname, Moseley. Through advanced scientific methods, I have been able to peer into a past that extends further than I could have imagined, tracing my ancestor’s footsteps right from the Middle East to Medieval England.

L. Moseley

Moseley: What does the surname Moseley mean?

The last name Moseley is of English origin and is derived from a place name. It stems from various places named Moseley in England, mainly in the West Midlands and West Yorkshire. The name is composed of two Old English elements— 'mos' which means 'peat bog' and 'leah' translating to 'woodland clearing'. Therefore, Moseley can be interpreted as 'clearing in the marsh or peat bog'. The name could have been indicative of the family's habitation in such geographic conditions. It is likely that this surname was first used by someone who lived in or near a clearing in a peat bog. The use of local geographical features or landmarks was common in the creation of family names during the Middle Ages, as it helped in differentiating between families living in close proximity. The surname Moseley is therefore topographic, associated with an individual's dwelling environment. Today, the name is spread worldwide, especially in English-speaking regions like the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia.

Moseley: Where does the name Moseley come from?

The last name Moseley is an old English surname that originated from the Midlands region of England. Today, the last name is still found in the Midlands area as well as in other areas of the United Kingdom. In the 2001 census of England and Wales, the last name was recorded as the 91st most common surname. It is also quite a common surname in other countries such as the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.

In the US, Moseley is the 1,092nd most common surname with approximately 13,000 families bearing the name. The Moseley name is most common in the state of Arkansas, where the majority of US citizens who bear this surname reside. Florida is the second most popular state for Moseleys, followed by Texas and Tennessee. The highest concentrations of Moseley families are found in the southeast region of the US.

The Moseley name is also common in Australia and Canada, where it reflects UK and American settlement during the 19th and 20th centuries.

In addition, as the earliest Moseley families originated in the Midlands, the name is still found there today. The Moseley name is particularly prevalent in the towns of Dudley, Stourbridge, and Bilston in the West Midlands.

Variations of the surname Moseley

Variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin for the surname Moseley include: Mosley, Mosly, Mosely, Mossley, Mossly, Moselee, Moselye, Moselie, Moselye, Mosleah, and Mosleyah.

The Moseley surname is derived from several sources, one with roots in a variety of English locations. Most prominently, the Moseley surname is derived from the Old English word “mos” meaning “marsh” and “leah,” meaning “woodland clearing,” and likely originated in the midlands of England. One of the earliest Moseley bloodlines dates back to the reign of King Edward I of England, known as the “Hammer of the Scots.”

Americanized spellings of the Moseley name may include Mosley and Mosley, while the Irish version is spelled Mossley. The Moseley family name also exists in Scotland, Australia and New Zealand and is also found in the Netherlands, France, Canada, the United States and elsewhere in the world.

The Moseley name is closely associated with those who served in the British army during the 19th century, particularly in Europe. The Moseley name eventually held various military titles such as General, Lieutenant, and Colonel. The Moseley Coat of Arms, described as “Azure on a Cross pattee Argent, 5 roses Gules, barbed and seeded proper”, was originally used for the military.

Today, the surname Moseley is still fairly common, particularly in England and Wales. Variants and spellings of the Moseley surname are often found in documents such as land grants, wills and other legal documents from the era. Other variants may appear in records from nations that were colonized by British settlers, such as Australia and New Zealand. Those who bear such surnames are typically descended from the same Moseleian and Mosleyan families.

Famous people with the name Moseley

• Anna Moseley: American TV personality and partner of celebrity chef and author Trisha Yearwood
• Austin Moseley: American chef, author, host and culinary instructor
• Brett Moseley: American actor
• Casper Moseley: English football player
• Charles Moseley: British actor
• Charlie Moseley: English footballer
• Craig Moseley: American rower
• David Moseley: Australian football player
• Dan Moseley: British TV Host
• Graham Moseley: Australian rugby league player
• Javier Moseley: Mexican soccer player
• Joe Moseley: American football player
• John Moseley: British classical scholar
• Karen Moseley: British geneticist
• Kim Moseley: American female wrestler
• Knox Moseley: American football player
• Lloyd Moseley: American football player
• Nic Moseley: American artist
• Peter Moseley: British rower
• Rob Moseley: American football player
• Ryan Moseley: Australian baseball player
• Sholom Moseley: American basketball player
• Steve Moseley: American mixed martial artist
• Tommy Moseley: American aviator
• Tony Moseley: American journalist

Other surnames

Mosely