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

Moose, 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 Moose surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Moose in America

Moose is the 9399th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Moose surname appeared 3,459 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 1 people would have the surname Moose.

We can also compare 2010 data for Moose 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 Moose

The surname "MOOSE" is of English origin, derived from the Middle English word "mos" or "musse," which meant a small rodent-like creature, specifically referring to a small variety of mouse. This surname first emerged in the 13th century in various regions of England, particularly in areas where Old English dialects were spoken.

In the early medieval period, surnames were often derived from occupations, physical characteristics, or similarities to animals. It is believed that the surname "MOOSE" was initially given as a nickname to individuals who were small in stature or displayed mouse-like behavior, such as being quiet or stealthy.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name "MOOSE" can be found in the Pipe Rolls of Gloucestershire from 1230, where a person named Roger Musse is mentioned. This surname also appears in the Hundred Rolls of Lincolnshire from 1273, which lists a Thomas Mus.

During the 14th century, the surname "MOOSE" evolved into various spellings, including "Mous," "Mousse," and "Muse." These variations can be found in historical documents such as the Poll Tax Returns of Yorkshire from 1379, where a John Mous is recorded.

Notable individuals with the surname "MOOSE" throughout history include:

1. William Mowse (c. 1520 - 1588), an English clergyman and theologian who served as the Dean of St. Paul's Cathedral in London.
2. Thomas Mosse (c. 1608 - 1668), an English composer and organist who worked at Christ Church Cathedral in Oxford.
3. Robert Moosse (1662 - 1737), a British naval officer who played a significant role in the War of the Spanish Succession.
4. Mary Moose (1789 - 1864), an English author and poet who published several works in the early 19th century.
5. Edmund Moose (1864 - 1942), a British explorer and surveyor who mapped various regions in Africa and Asia during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

While the surname "MOOSE" may have originated from a humble association with small rodents, it has been carried by individuals who have made significant contributions in various fields throughout history.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Moose

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

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 Moose 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 Moose 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 Moose was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

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