Surname Moles - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'M'
Moles: What does the surname Moles mean?
The last name MOLES likely has a Norman origin and is derived from the Old French word “mool” which means “mole.” The term was commonly used to describe the burrowing mammal, and eventually evolved into a surname.
The first record of the surname was found in England in 1298, and from there the name has taken on different spelling forms, such as Moles, Mules, and Moules. Additionally, it can be found in Scotland and Ireland with variants as Mole and Mowles. The name is also present in other countries, particularly in France, where it is almost exclusively spelled Molles.
The meaning of the name is linked to its namesake animal and can be interpreted to describe someone who is meddlesome or sly. It could also describe a person who works diligently and consistently, as moles are hardworking mammals, known for going around looking for food and digging burrows. Likely, the name has origins related to medieval times and was given to a person due to their character traits.
Overall, the last name MOLES is derived from the Old French word for mole and has been used for centuries to describe someone who is hardworking and sly. It is found in many different countries, and while its exact origin is unknown, it likely had origins centuries ago.
Order DNA origin analysisMoles: Where does the name Moles come from?
The last name MOLES is quite common in the United Kingdom. It is believed to have originated in either Cornwall or Devon, both counties in the Southwest of this island. This surname immigrated to many other countries including the United States, Germany, Ireland, Australia, and New Zealand.
In the UK, MOLES is most strongly represented in the counties of Devon and Cornwall and the City of London. In Devon, the surnames appears mainly in the North and West, encompassing the towns of Bideford, Holsworthy, Tiverton, and Exeter. In Cornwall, MOLES appears mainly in the West and Southwest.
In the United States, the MOLES surname is most commonly found in Pennsylvania and New York. It is likely that the American name derived from Irish and British immigrants coming to these areas in the 19th century.
In Germany, the surname has moved across the border from neighbouring countries such as Austria and Switzerland. It is likely to have developed from similar surnames derived from old German vocabulary such as Möhle (mill).
MOLES is also found in smaller numbers in other parts of the world such as Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa. There is no doubt that this name has come from the diaspora of British people who have helped to populate these countries.
So, today the last name MOLES is present in several countries, but it is still most strongly represented in the UK, especially Devon and Cornwall.
Variations of the surname Moles
The surname Molés has multiple variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin. The most common spellings are Moles, Molez, Molesz, Molesse, Moiles, Molesi, Molesio, Moletti and Moletto. Other variants and spellings include Moalis, Moiles, Molecé, Moliés, Mollés, Mollisz, Mollós, Molon, Molos, Moultis and Moulyz.
The surname Molés has its origin in Spain, where it is most commonly found, and it is thought to be a toponymic surname. This means that the name initially referred to a location that the original bearer of the name lived in or originated from. The most likely possibility is that Molés is derived from the Basque words ‘mola’ or ‘mollo’ meaning ‘hill’. This would indicate that the original bearers of the name lived on or near a hill.
In addition, the surname can also be found in Italy, where it is most commonly spelled Moletti. Here, the name is thought to be derived from the word ‘molo’, meaning ‘small hill’.
The surname is also found in other European countries including France, Portugal, Hungary, Slovakia, Croatia and Poland. In each of these countries the variants and spellings are slightly different as the name has been adapted to the language of the region.
Overall, the surname Molés can take various forms, due to its geographical diversity. As such, those who bear the name could have a wide variety of different familial and geographical backgrounds.
Famous people with the name Moles
- Stephen Moles: Former football player for South Adelaide Football Club.
- Robert Moles: Award-winning Australian lawyer.
- Ishmael Moles: International bestselling author.
- Paul Moles: Australian rugby union player.
- John Moles: Spanish professor, author, and journalist.
- Angel Moles: Professional triathlete.
- Gayle Moles: Former journalist and media expert.
- Isla Moles: Bassoonist and soloist with the National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain.
- Moira Moles: Published poet, based in Cork, Ireland. 10.Kristen Moles: Famous psychic and tarot reader.