Surname Mosher - Meaning and Origin
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Unraveling My Heritage: A Remarkable Story of the Mosher Surname Through iGENEA DNA Test Results
Upon my exploration of personal heritage via an iGENEA DNA test, I unfolded intriguing stories encoded within my genes. They have offered striking insights into the dispersal and historical chronicles of the Mosher surname, taking unexpected twists traversing regions and narrating multicultural assimilation.
G. Mosher
read moreMosher: What does the surname Mosher mean?
The surname Mosher is of English origin, specifically derived from the Old French term "moucheor," which means "handkerchief." This term was a metonymic occupational name given to the maker or seller of handkerchiefs. Over time, this term got varied and anglicized to be known as "Mosher." Therefore, the Mosher family is believed to have been involved in the textile industry in the Middle Ages when surnames first started to be used. Every English or derived surname has an interesting history attached to it, and Mosher signifies a person's ancestry and profession in the textile business, prevalently in the manufacture or trade of handkerchiefs. Like various other ancient surnames, it also provides a glimpse into the pursuits and practices of the medieval times, hence encapsulating social history.
Order DNA origin analysisMosher: Where does the name Mosher come from?
The last name Mosher is most commonly found in the United States, but can also be found in some other parts of the world. In the US, the highest concentrations are mainly found on the east coast. States like Maine, Massachusetts, Delaware, New Jersey, and New York have some of the most significant populations, though it can also be found in New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Maryland, Connecticut, and Rhode Island. Texas, California, and Ohio also have some residents with the Mosher name.
Outside of the US, there are some Mosher family names in Quebec, Canada, as well as in parts of the Caribbean, South America, and in Europe. The highest concentration of Moshers outside of the US is in the small country of Luxembourg, which has 300-400 Mosher families living there.
The surname Mosher is thought to have originated from the French word 'maudit', meaning 'wretched man'. It is also said that it may have been derived from a German name, 'Musterhans' which translates literally to 'model man'. It is also believed to be possibly linked to the Old English and Dutch word, 'mos', meaning 'marsh'.
Variations of the surname Mosher
The surname Mosher is an anglicized version of the Jewish name Moser, which is one of the variants of the original proper name Moses.
The name Moser has evolved over time from various versions including Moser, Mosehr, Moeser and Mosier. The name Moser is derived from the Biblical figure Moses, which itself is derived from the Hebrew word Moshe, meaning 'he who was drawn from the waters'.
Variants of the Mosher surname include Moshe, Mosher, Moshier, Mosehr, Moseser, Moesser, Mooser, Moshur, Mieser, Mosier, Meser and Mezer. Other spelling variants include Moses, Mozes, Mosz, Mosze, Mosso, Mossoe, Moser, Mosse, Mosseh, Mosser, Mosor and Mosche.
Surnames of similar origin and with similar spellings to Mosher include Moise, Moyer, Mozer, Meyers, Maas, Maus and Mazor.
The name Moser and its various spellings and surnames bring to mind the iconic story of Moses, a man who was taken from a basket in a river and grew to lead the Israelites out of Egypt. Today, the name Moser and its variants are held with a high level of respect in honor of this iconic figure.
Famous people with the name Mosher
- Arthur Mosher: American politician and second Lieutenant in the United States Army.
- Dave Mosher: American science journalist and author.
- Lesley Mosher: make-up artist for the Academy Award-winning film The Theory of Everything.
- Marion Mosher Stroud: American photographer.
- Mary Caffrey Mosher: American suffragette and early feminist.
- Charles Mosher: former Republican member of the California State Assembly.
- Daniel Mosher: American actor who had roles in projects such as The Americans, Someone Marry Barry and The Money Pit.
- Mark Mosher: American musician, composer and producer.
- Nathan Mosher: American fiddle player, mandolinist and singer.
- Rebecca Mosher: American actress best known for her appearances in the films The Way Way Back and Mistress America.