Surname Moores - Meaning and Origin

Moores: What does the surname Moores mean?

The surname Moores has multiple origins and meanings.

One of the prominent interpretations comes from Old English, where "moor" referred to a marsh or fen, hence, "Moores" may signify someone who lived near a marshy area. It could also come from the Middle English term "more," indicating "dark-skinned," being derived from the French "More", or Latin "Maurus", meaning a "Moor" - inhabitants of North Africa. The name was often given to those who had dealings with the Moors.

More simplistically, it could also mean 'son of Moor.' It’s also possible that Moores is a locational surname linked to places called Moore in Cheshire and Lancashire in England.

Moores as a surname is popular in England, Ireland, and Wales. Under the variant spelling of Mores, it was first found in Suffolk, England, during the early 13th century.

But different families with the surname Moores could have different origins, as surnames developed independently in various regions and for different reasons. The interpretations might be specific to certain families with the surname.

Moores: Where does the name Moores come from?

The surname Moores is most common today in the United Kingdom, where it ranks as the 76th most popular surname. The highest concentrations are in Norfolk, Suffolk, Derbyshire, and Lancashire. It is also a common name in the United States being the 230th most frequent last name. The state with the highest number of people with the surname Moores is Nebraska. The Moores family name originated in many different countries, and each with a slightly different spelling. However, all the variations trace back to the original variations of this name in medieval England.

It is thought that the surname Moores was derived from the Latin word ‘moris’ meaning ‘great’. It is possible that the name was given to a strong leader or warrior who was brave and respected. This is borne out by the motto ‘Fidelis Humilitas’, which translates to ‘Faithful Humility’. Other variations of this surname were Moors and Morse. Both of these are thought to have origins in Northern Europe, potentially from France. Additionally, there is speculation that the Moores family surname was derived from Irish names such as ‘O’Mordha’ and ‘O’Muiri’. The ‘O’ prefix suggests that these were patronyms related to the Gaelic Milesian tribe.

In modern times the Moores name continues to be found in many different countries, indicating that it is an old and established title. Various spellings of the surname can be found in some parts of the world where the name has been passed down through the generations. Some variants of the Moores name can still be found in Ireland, Scotland and Wales.

Variations of the surname Moores

The surname Moore can be spelled more than one way, depending on where a person is from or their family heritage. Spellings of the name Moore include Muir, More, Mure, Meur, Meure, Moor, Moores and Moure. This surname is found around the world, and it is known to have different branches originating from different parts of the world, including England, Ireland, Scotland, and continental Europe.

In English-speaking countries, the name Moore is often associated with an English origin. The English pronunciation of the name is usually a two syllable form (“moor”), while the Irish pronunciation is typically a three syllable form (“moor-uh”). The variant surnames of this origin include Moor, Moors, Muir, and More. These names are found predominantly in Scotland, Wales and parts of England.

In Scotland, a variant of the surname is Mûr, which is typically also pronounced with two syllables. Mûr and its variants, along with Moor, Muir, Moors and More are all common Scots-Gaelic names.

In Ireland, the variants include Meur, Meure, Moure, and Moire. This form is most commonly found around Ulster and Connaught.

In France, the surname is usually spelled Moure or Moors. This spelling is most commonly found in Normandy and areas near the Belguim border.

Overall, the surname Moore is quite widespread around the world and has many different variations based on which part of the world it originated from and how it was pronounced in the local dialect.

Famous people with the name Moores

• Julianne Moore: Oscar-winning actress who has starred in movies like Boogie Nights, The Hunger Games, and The Big Lebowski.
• Demi Moore: Actress, model, and film producer, she is well known for her box office successes such as Ghost, A Few Good Men, and St. Elmo's Fire.
• Jackie Moore: Former Major League Baseball player, he was an outfielder and manager for several teams.
• Sam Moore: A member of the soul music duo Sam & Dave, he received a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2008.
• Garry Moore: A notable television and radio host, he was on the game show I've Got a Secret and the variety show The Garry Moore Show.
• Roger Moore: Best known for his role as James Bond in seven feature films, he also acted in films including Live and Let Die and The Spy Who Loved Me.
• Michael Moore: An Academy Award-winning documentarian who has created movies such as Bowling for Columbine and Fahrenheit 9/11.
• John Moore: A contemporary American artist whose works often address political and intercultural issues.
• Rudy Moore: An American funk musician, he was a member of the group Bootsy's Rubber Band and is a funk pioneer.
• Ruth Moore: An American novelist and poet, she wrote the novel Ship of Souls and the short story collection Tree of Strangers.

Other surnames

MooreMoorefieldMoorer