Surname Moir - Meaning and Origin

Moir: What does the surname Moir mean?

The surname Moir is of Anglo-Saxon origin, largely from the region of Scotland. It is derived from the nickname "the Moor," given to someone with dark skin or hair, who may have looked as though they were of North African descent. It is sometimes spelled More or Mure in old Scottish. Alternatively, it could also refer to someone who lived near a moor, which is a type of grassland. The name was first recorded in Scotland around the 11th century. As a Scottish habitational name, it could also originate from a place called Muir, meaning ‘moor’, in the former county of Ayrshire, in southwestern Scotland. Following the historical norm of Anglo-Saxon cultures, individuals usually got their surname based on their occupation, geographical location, or some form of descriptive nickname. Therefore, the last name Moir can essentially identify an individual’s characteristics or location. As with many other surnames, over the passage of time and migration of people, the surname has spread across the world and can now be found in many different countries.

Moir: Where does the name Moir come from?

The last name Moir is most commonly found in Scotland today as it is of Scottish origin. Records indicate that the name dates back to at least the twelfth century when it is recorded in Scotland as de More. It is found in county Sutherland, in the north of Scotland, and is thought to have descended from the Hebridean Norsemen that formed part of the population of northern Scotland.

The Moir name is one of the most widely distributed of Scottish surnames, and has been found throughout the world in places such as England, Ireland, Canada, the United States, Australia and New Zealand. The Moir name is most commonly seen in Scotland in Aberdeenshire, Angus, Ayrshire, the Highlands, Sutherland, Fifeshire and Dunbartonshire. One of the earliest records of the name is in the small parish of St Cuthbert’s, near Edinburgh, which records the baptism of an Agnes Mor, daughter of William Moir in 1645.

Today, the last name Moir is quite common in Scotland. According to a 2016 survey, it was the 319th most common surname in Scotland, with about 1,693 people in the country bearing the name. The Moir name is also relatively commonplace in England, where it was ranked the 1,262nd most common surname in 2016. The name is also quite prominent in the United States, with about 12,100 people sharing the last name in the country.

Variations of the surname Moir

The surname Moir is derived from the Middle English word "moor", which has several meanings including "marsh" and "fenland". It is believed to be of French origin. The variants, spellings, and surnames of this name include, but are not limited to, Mowbray, Mouer, Moyer, More, Morey, Moray, Maure, Maur, Mawer, Mower, Moora, Mawra, Moara, Mora, and Major.

Moir is usually taken to be a habitational name, referring to a place known as Moor or More. It may also be an occupational name, referring to someone who lived in a marshy area or was employed in a profession related to such areas, such as a river warden.

Mowbray or Mouer may derive from a French form of the word moore, such as les maures. Moyer may have been altered from the Irish name O'Muidir. More and Morey are patronymic forms of the name. Moray and Maure are believed to derive from a French form of the name Moore, while Maur and Mawer are thought to be derived from the French word for Moorish.

Mower (formerly de Maures) is an old French family name. Moora, Mawra, Moara, and Mora are all variants of the surname, with Moora being the most commonly seen. Major is also a variant of the surname, believed to derive from an English corruption of the French word maure.

Famous people with the name Moir

• Torvill and Dean (Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean): British ice dancers and Olympic champions.
• Scott Moir: Canadian ice dancer and Olympic gold medalist.
• Alexander Moir: Canadian conductor and composer.
• Sarah Moir-Porteous: Scottish actress and presenter.
• Alastair Moir: Scottish comedian and actor.
• Bruce Moir: Australian rugby player.
• Craig Moir: Australian racing driver.
• David Moir: Scottish actor and announcer.
• Harry Moir: British film director.
• Jack Moir: Australian mountain biker.
• James Moir: British actor and film director.
• John Moir: Australian author and politician.
• Margaret Moir: British portrait painter.
• Michelle Moir: Canadian ice dancer and Olympic medalist.
• Paul Moir: Australian tennis player.
• Peter Moir: Scottish academic and writer.
• Robert Moir: British composer and music professor.
• Stephen Moir: British astronomer.
• Sture and Anna Moir: Swedish acting siblings.
• Shane Moir: New Zealand composer and musician.
• Wendell Moir: Canadian sports broadcaster.

Other surnames

Moilanen