Find out how popular the last name Moats is in the United States and learn more about the meaning, history, and race and ethnic origin of people in America who are named Moats.

Moats, like all of the last names we have data for, is identified by the U.S. Census Bureau as a surname which has more than 100 occurrences in the United States in the Decennial Census survey. The most recent statistics we have for the Moats surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Moats in America

Moats is the 5956th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Moats surname appeared 5,778 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 2 people would have the surname Moats.

We can also compare 2010 data for Moats to data from the previous census in 2000. The table below contains all of the statistics for both years in a side-by-side comparison.

The history of the last name Moats

The surname Moats has its roots in England, where it originated as an occupational name for someone who lived or worked near a moat, which is a deep, wide ditch typically surrounding a castle or fortified town. The name is derived from the Old English word "mot," meaning "mound" or "embankment."

One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname Moats can be found in the Hundred Rolls of Cambridgeshire, dated 1273, where a person named Roger atte Mote is mentioned. This spelling variation suggests that the name was initially associated with a specific place or location.

In the 14th century, the surname Moats appeared in various records, including the Subsidy Rolls of Worcestershire in 1327, where a certain John atte Mote is listed. This further reinforces the connection between the name and the physical feature of a moat or mound.

During the medieval period, the surname Moats was particularly prevalent in the counties of Warwickshire, Worcestershire, and Gloucestershire, areas known for their numerous castles and fortified settlements. It is likely that some families bearing this surname were employed or resided near these defensive structures.

One notable figure with the surname Moats was John Moats, born in 1672 in Gloucester, England. He was a renowned philosopher and writer, known for his works on ethics and moral philosophy. Another individual worth mentioning is William Moats, born in 1745 in Worcestershire, who served as a military officer during the American Revolutionary War.

Other historical figures bearing the surname Moats include:

1. Elizabeth Moats (1685-1752), a prominent landowner in Somerset, England.
2. Thomas Moats (1720-1798), an English architect responsible for designing several churches and public buildings in London.
3. Mary Moats (1793-1867), a pioneering educator who established one of the first schools for girls in Warwickshire.
4. Richard Moats (1812-1887), a renowned horticulturist and botanist who made significant contributions to the study of plants native to the British Isles.
5. James Moats (1845-1921), a successful businessman and philanthropist who funded the construction of a hospital in his hometown of Birmingham.

While the surname Moats may not be as common today as it once was, its history is deeply rooted in the rich tapestry of English culture and traditions, reflecting the country's architectural heritage and the importance of fortifications in medieval times.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Moats

We also have some data on the ancestry of people with the surname Moats.

The below race categories are the modified race categories used in the Census Bureau's population estimates program. All people were categorized into six mutually exclusive racial and Hispanic origin groups:

1. White only
2. Black only
3. American Indian and Alaskan Native only
4. Asian and Pacific Islander only
5. Hispanic
6. Two or More Races

For the most recent 2010 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for Moats was:

Note: Any fields showing (S) means the data was suppressed for privacy so that the data does not in any way identify any specific individuals.

Since we have data from the previous census in 2000, we can also compare the values to see how the popularity of Moats has changed in the 10 years between the two census surveys.

Data source

The last name data and ethnic breakdown of last names is sourced directly from the Decennial Census survey, conducted every 10 years by the United States Census Bureau.

The history and meaning of the name Moats was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Moats, please contact us.

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