Surname Mollineux - Meaning and Origin

Mollineux: What does the surname Mollineux mean?

Mollineux is a French name derived from the French words “mol” (soft) and “neux” (nose). It is a topographic surname referring to a soft nose or a person who lives near a soft-nosed peak. Historically, it was most prominently found in the region of Gascony.

The surname has been in use since medieval times, with the first recordings of the name appearing in the 13th century. It is likely the surname belonged to a family who lived in a small village located near an easily identifiable hill with a soft nose-like topography. People living in the area may have come to associate their family with the feature, leading to the adoption of the surname.

Mollineux is an uncommon name, but it has seen a rise in popularity in recent times. It's estimated that today, there are around 1,500 individuals who have the surname around the world.

In addition to its history as a topographic surname, Mollineux has also been popularly used as a first name, especially in France. The name is often associated with people who exhibit characteristics like reliability, steadfastness and resourcefulness. It can also be seen as being indicative of a person who is a creative thinker and a leader.

Mollineux: Where does the name Mollineux come from?

The last name Mollineux is of French origin and is a very old and rare family name. It is commonly thought to be Norman French in origin. The name is associated with the French region of Normandy. The surname was mostly common in the British Isles, particularly England, Ireland, and Scotland, up until the 19th century. It has also had some presence in Northern France.

As of the 2015 United Kingdom census, the last name Mollineux was the 28026th most common surname, with approximately 100 record carriers. It is also present in the United States, particularly in Ohio, New York, and Pennsylvania.

The current descendants of the Mollineux family may be found in the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, the United States, and South Africa, although the family is spread across all five continents. They are mostly concentrated in the British Isles. The British Isles countries are home to approximately 80% of the world’s population who bear this surname. It is also common in North America, including the United States and Canada.

The last name Mollineux is currently quite rare, however there are still a considerable number of individuals who still bear the name. They can be found across the globe, mostly in the British Isles, North America, and in South Africa.

Variations of the surname Mollineux

The surname Mollineux is of French origins and can be found in various spellings in different geographical locations and several variant spellings. The main variant spelling is Mullinax, Molineux or Molineaux, Mullineaux.

In France, the Mollineux spelling is most common, while in England the Mullinax and Molineux spelling remain most popular. The history of Mollineux originates before the Norman Conquest of 1066 in France. Its primary origin is as a nickname meaning ‘smooth’ or ‘soft’. The spelling of Mollineux could also have evolved out of the old French ‘Molin’, meaning ‘mill’ or ‘one from the mill’.

In England, the Molineux or Mullinax variant spelling is most common, although Mullineaux or Molinaux can be found in a few places. In North America, the majority of Mollineux families are of English ancestry, with some coming from Ireland. The spelling of Mollineux is commonly used for families who immigrated in the 17th century.

In Ireland, the Mollineux spelling is also seen, but is not as common as other variant spellings there. Other variant spellings found in Ireland are Molemaux, Mollin, Molinier, Molloy and others.

Outside of Europe, Molls, Mollinger and Molinor are other variant spellings from the Mollineux surname, whilst the form Molina is a Spanish variant. Mollin or Mollen is also seen in Germany, while in the Netherlands Mollinga and Molenaar can be found.

In general, the name Mollineux is an interesting surname originating from both French and English roots, and has many variant spellings and surnames of the same origin.

Famous people with the name Mollineux

• Ryan Mollineux: Former professional football player who played for Watford and Accrington Stanley.
• Sir Hugh Mollineux: Landowner and Member of Parliament in 17th Century Lancashire.
• Sir Thomas Mollineux: 17th Century Baronet and Member of Parliament for Westmorland and Surrey.
• John Mollineux: Archbishop of York, 1550-1553.
• Sylvanus Mollineux: 17th Century soldier, courtier, and Member of Parliament.
• Anthony Mollineux: 17th Century lawyer and Member of Parliament.
• Sir George Mollineux: 18th Century statesman and founding father of Barbados.
• George Mollineux: 18th Century Bishop of Lichfield.
• Willis Mollineux: 18th Century British Army major-general.
• Anna Mollineux: 19th Century British writer and travel author.
• Charles Mollineux: 19th Century British doctor and Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians.
• Frank Mollineux: 19th Century engineer and architect.
• Reginald Mollineux: 19th Century English bishop and theologian.
• Charles Mollineux: 20th Century British Air Marshal.
• Jack Mollineux: 20th Century English footballer, who played for West Ham United.
• John Mollineux: 20th Century English footballer, who played for Manchester United.
• Anthony Mollineux: 21st Century author and historian.

Other surnames

Mollineaux