Surname Mozley - Meaning and Origin
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Mozley: What does the surname Mozley mean?
The surname Mozley is of English origin and is believed to be a locational or geographical surname. It is most likely derived from Mosley, an area in Manchester, or Moseley, a suburb of Birmingham, both located in the United Kingdom. The name itself means "mouse clearing" or "mouse wood," derived from the Old English words "mus" meaning "mouse" and "leah" meaning "wood, clearing." This kind of surname was typically given to individuals who originated from these places. Over time, the spelling of the original place name often changed or evolved due to varying regional dialects and the lack of standardized spelling in use during the Middle Ages. Therefore, Mozley might have different variations like Moseley, Mosely, or Mosele. It is also possible that Mozley is an Anglicized form of a similar sounding Jewish or Non-English surname.
Order DNA origin analysisMozley: Where does the name Mozley come from?
The last name Mozley is most common in England, particularly in the West Midlands and northern regions of the country near the Welsh border. It is also found in scattered locations around the world, including the United States, Canada, Australia, and parts of Europe.
In England, Mozley families are predominantly native English, although some may have descended from immigrants who arrived in the country during the 18th and 19th centuries. Most trace their lineage back to Richard and Richard Mozley, who were likely born in the late 16th century in Worcestershire.
In America, Mozley families tend to trace their roots back to British immigrants who arrived in New England, Virginia, and Maryland in the early 1700s. Migration from the East Coast of the United States to the Midwest and West Coast occurred in the 1800s, leading the Mozley name to be found in many western states as well.
The surname Mozley is not especially common in any of these locations today, although it is possible to find people with the name in many parts of the world. It is interesting to note that the Mozley family name has been found in use in various forms since the 16th century, so it is likely that many families with the name today are distant relatives to each other.
Variations of the surname Mozley
Mozley is an English surname of patronymic origin meaning ‘son of Moses’. The variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin include Mosly, Mossley, Mosley, Moseley, Mossly, Mosley, Mozeley, Mosely, Mossly, Moosely, Moselye, Mosslee, Moselee, Mozee, Moseleigh, Moslee, Mosele, Mosselee, Mozleigh, Moselye, Mozelee, Mozly, and Moslee.
Mozley is most commonly found in England. It first appeared in records in the mid-14th century when it was mentioned in the Subsidy Rolls of Lancashire. Since then, it has spread to other parts of the British Isles and beyond. The surname is particularly prominent in the counties of Derbyshire, Lancashire and Staffordshire.
The variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin for Mozley can be seen as reflections of dialect differences, alternative spellings, and development of the surname as it was passed down through successive generations. Mosly, for instance, is a common variant reflecting the Lancashire-Yorkshire dialectal pronunciation of the name as it was handed down from that region. Mossley is likely to be derived from the Old English mos meaning 'mossy'. Mosley and Moseley are the most widely used spellings today, reflecting a more modern spelling of the name. Moselye and Moselee may have resulted from a variation in pronunciation, whereby the second syllable was pronounced as a short ‘ee’ sound rather than a long ‘ey’.
While Mozley may now have spread around the world, it remains a much more localised name in its core geographical locations in Britain.
Famous people with the name Mozley
- Uzo Aduba, actress best known for her role as Suzanne "Crazy Eyes" Warren in the series "Orange Is the New Black"
- Kafui Mozley, British electronic music artist
- Ryan Mozley, Canadian professional soccer player
- Matt Mozley, American professional skateboarder
- Brooke Mozley, American Paralympic swimmer
- John Mozley, English professional footballer
- Harrison Mozley, English amateur student golfer
- Jenna Mozley, Australian professional ultra-marathon runner
- Jordan Mozley, English professional sailor
- Rajpreet Mozley, Indian singer and actress