Surname Mosely - Meaning and Origin

Mosely: What does the surname Mosely mean?

The surname Mosely is of English origin and is derived from the Old English pre 7th Century term "moos", meaning peat bog, and "leah", translating to wood or clearing. Therefore, it can be taken to mean ‘clearing in the marsh’. The name is locational in nature, referring to individuals who were residing in or near places like Moseley in West Yorkshire or Moseley in Birmingham. Over time, the spelling has evolved into numerous variants, including Moseley, Mosely, Mosley, Mosly, among others. As with many surnames that have their origin in location naming, it may have been used to signify someone who had moved from Moseley to a different area, thereby helping in identifying their origin. The surname was first recorded in the latter part of the 12th century.

Mosely: Where does the name Mosely come from?

The last name Mosely is most commonly found in the United Kingdom and the United States. In the UK, the name is particularly popular in London, Essex, Suffolk, Essex, Norfolk, Suffolk and Devon. In the US, it is particularly prevalent in Alabama.

The name Mosely has its roots in Anglo-Saxon England and translates to mean "sea wood". It was originally derived from the Old Norse Mose meaning marshland or moor. Records of the name can be dated back to the late 11th century in England.

The Mosely family name has a distinguished presence and history in England and America, as several Mosely families can trace their roots back to early Colonial America. During the American Civil War, Mosely soldiers and officers fought for the Confederate Army.

Today, there is a strong presence of Mosely families in both the UK and US. In the UK, records suggest that the Mosely family name is the 16th most common in the country. GenUKI records list around 100 Mosely families being found in the country, with London, Essex and Suffolk being hotspots for the name.

In the US, records suggest that the name is most common in Alabama, where it ranks the 55th most common last name in the state. Alabama also has the greatest concentration of Moselys in the US, with other states such as Georgia, Mississippi, North Carolina and Tennessee also home to significant Mosely communities.

Variations of the surname Mosely

The surname Mosely is an Anglicized spelling of the Gaelic Irish Surname Móisdealbhaigh, or Ó Móisdealbhaigh. The Irish name is descriptive and translates to “descendant of Móisdealbhach.” This root name is derived from mór, which means “great,” and dealbhaigh, which means “one who loves”. It is prominent in Ireland with an estimated 11,200 people bearing the name, primarily living in the province of Ulster.

Variations and alternative spellings of the Mosely surname include: Moseley, Moselee, Mosley, Mossley, Mosly, Mosle, Mostley, Mosaley, Mosaley, Moisleigh, Moisely, Moiselle, and Moisdealbhach. In some cases, it has been anglicized to forms like Moser, Mosel, Mosser, Mullally, Mullally, Mullally, Mullally, and Moe.

The surname is also prominent in the United States and Canada, where it is the 694th most commonly held surname. Variations of Mosely that exist in those countries include: Mosley, Moser, Moister, Mussell, Mussle, Mussells, Mossely, Moosley, Mosellar, Moschella, and Moseline. In Scottish records Mosely is sometimes recorded as Moselley and Mosslea. With French Huguenot ancestry it is sometimes spelled Moselay and Mosele.

All of the different variations of Mosely have the same root origin, although the variants and spellings may vary. The surname is derived from prefix mór (great) and blend of elements dealbhach (lover) and Móis (bear). All variants have the same meaning of “great lover”.

Famous people with the name Mosely

• Marlon Moseley: former professional Canadian Football player and Grey Cup champion
• Tyler Moseley: professional basketball player
• Christina Moseley: American swimmer and Olympic gold medalist in the 200 Meter Butterfly
• BeBe Moseley: former professional tennis player
• Jazmine Moseley: professional beach volleyball player
• Kelly Moseley: professional softball player
• Ryan Moseley: Major League Baseball player
• Paul Moseley: actor, known for his roles in “Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit” and “Birdman”
• Eleanor Mosely: professional triathlete and Ironman competitor
• Zelda Mosely: legendary jazz singer and performer

Other surnames

Moseley