Surname Mousley - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'M'
Mousley: What does the surname Mousley mean?
The surname Mousley is of Anglo-Saxon origin and can be traced back to ancient times in Britain. It is a topographic name derived from Old English words "mus" meaning "mouse" and "leah" meaning "wood, clearing." Thus, the surname Mousley could mean "clearing infested with mice." However, it may also refer to someone who lived or worked in such an area. It is believed to have originated from a place name, potentially the village of Mowsley in Leicestershire, England. Like many surnames, variations in spelling can be seen over centuries including Mousely, Mowsly, and Mowseley. The first recorded spelling of the family name dates to the 16th-century in Leicestershire County.
Order DNA origin analysisMousley: Where does the name Mousley come from?
The last name Mousley is typically associated with the English Midlands and Northwest regions, particularly with Cheshire, Lancashire, Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Staffordshire, Shropshire, Herefordshire, Warwickshire, and Gloucestershire. Today the Mousley surname is still fairly common throughout those areas, with hundreds of people carrying it in each county.
The Occupational Origin of the Mousley Surname is thought to have been derived from the Middle English word moosely which meant “of a mouse” or “remindful of mice.” The occupational origin of the name is indicative of either a person who bred or kept animals, an occupation associated with a mouse. In other areas, the Mousley surname is thought to have been corrupted or derived from other similar family names such as Maule or Maulor.
Today the Mousley surname is not as popular as it once was; however, it is still fairly prevalent in the areas mentioned above. On a global scale, the Mousley surname is rarely found outside of Northwest England. However, it is also found in Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and the United States. It is most commonly found in the Central and Southeastern United States, where the surname has been around since the late 19th century.
Variations of the surname Mousley
The surname Mousley is most commonly spelled Mousley but there are other minor variants of spelling and surnames with the same origin. Mousley has also appeared in the spelling of Mousaly, Mousaley, Moucely, Mosely, and Moseley. It is also possible to find Mousley as Mossly, Moussly, and Mosley.
Mousley is of English origin. It is most likely derived from the Old English words mos and leah, which denotes someone who lived in a wood or clearing. Mousley is also a surname derived from the French city of Moulins, which is also spelled Moline. This derives from the French word moulin meaning "mill". In modern French, the spelling of Moulins has changed to the more grammatically correct Moulins, as opposed to the older Moline. As a result, families with the Mousley surname may have roots from either England or France, depending on the spelling.
The variants and spellings of the Mousley surname are sometimes associated with other surnames, including Mousle, Mousles, Mousels, and Moussles. These surnames may have originated as regional variations of the original Mousley surname or as separate names with a similar etymology.
In conclusion, the surname Mousley may be spelled a number of different ways and may also be associated with other surnames of a similar origin. These variants and spellings of the Mousley surname could arise from either English or French origins.
Famous people with the name Mousley
- Ashley Mousley: Former Miss Great Britain and model represented by Models1.
- Mark Mousley: Actor best known for his role in ITV’s Emmerdale and series 6 of BBC’s Life on Mars.
- Greer Mousley: Actor cast in films such as Goodbye Charlie Bright and 3burst Grenade.
- Justin Mousley: British artist known for his pencil drawings and photography.
- Geoff Mousley: British former professional tennis player and captain of the Great Britain Davis Cup team.
- Joel Mousley: Professional football player who currently plays for Maidstone United.
- Garry Mousley: Former professional cricketer and the head of youth development at Somerset County Cricket Club.
- Ray Mousley: Former British bantamweight boxer.
- Adam Mousley: British news anchor, producer, and international reporter.
- Terry Mousley: Former English international footballer who played as a defender.