Moody Surname

The Origins of the Moody Surname

The surname Moody is of English origin, derived from the Old English personal name Mody, which itself comes from the Old Norse name MóÐi. The name MóÐi was a byname meaning "brave" or "fierce," and it was used as a personal name in both England and Scandinavia during the medieval period. Over time, the name Mody evolved into Moody, and the surname was born.

Early Records of the Moody Surname

The earliest recorded instance of the Moody surname dates back to the 12th century in England. The name was first found in the counties of Suffolk and Warwickshire, where individuals bearing the surname were landholders and prominent members of the local community. By the 16th century, the Moody surname had spread to other parts of England, with concentrations in Yorkshire, Lancashire, and Cornwall.

In the United States, the Moody surname can be traced back to the early colonial period. The first recorded instance of the surname in America is that of John Moody, who arrived in Massachusetts in 1633. John Moody was a Puritan who settled in Salem and later moved to Hartford, Connecticut, where he became a prominent figure in the local government.

Notable Individuals with the Moody Surname

Over the centuries, the Moody surname has been borne by many notable individuals in various fields. One of the most famous Moodeys was Dwight L. Moody, a renowned American evangelist and preacher who founded the Moody Bible Institute in Chicago. Dwight Moody was known for his powerful sermons and his commitment to spreading the gospel throughout the United States.

Another famous Moody was Ron Moody, the English actor best known for his role as Fagin in the musical "Oliver!" Ron Moody's performance as the lovable rogue earned him critical acclaim and a Golden Globe Award for Best Actor in a Musical or Comedy Film.

Distribution of the Moody Surname Worldwide

The Moody surname is most prevalent in the United States, with over 81,000 individuals bearing the name. In England, the surname is most common in the region of Greater London, with over 12,000 individuals carrying the Moody name. Australia and Canada also have significant populations of Moodys, with over 3,800 and 2,600 individuals, respectively.

Other countries where the Moody surname is prevalent include South Africa, New Zealand, Ireland, Nigeria, and Scotland. In each of these countries, the Moody surname has a long history and is associated with prominent families and individuals in the local community.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Moody surname has a rich history that spans centuries and continents. From its origins in medieval England to its spread to the New World, the name Moody has been associated with bravery, strength, and resilience. Today, individuals with the Moody surname can be found in countries all over the world, each carrying on the legacy of their ancestors and upholding the proud tradition of the Moody name.

The surname Moody within the globe

Globalization has meant that surnames distribute far beyond their country of origin, so that it is achievable to find African surnames in Europe or Indian surnames in Oceania. Similar occurs in the case of Moody, which as you are able to corroborate, it can be said that it is a surname which can be found in all the countries of this globe. In the same way you will find nations in which certainly the thickness of people with all the surname Moody is higher than in other countries.

The map associated with Moody surname

View Moody surname map

The chance of examining on a globe map about which nations hold a greater number of Moody on earth, helps us a lot. By putting ourselves on the map, for a tangible country, we are able to understand tangible amount of people with all the surname Moody, to have in this manner the complete information of all the Moody that one may presently find in that country. All this also assists us to understand not merely in which the surname Moody arises from, but also in what manner the folks that are initially an element of the family that bears the surname Moody have moved and moved. In the same manner, you are able to see by which places they have settled and developed, and that's why if Moody is our surname, it appears interesting to which other countries of the world it will be possible any particular one of our ancestors once relocated to.

Countries with more Moody in the world

  1. United States United States (81713)
  2. England England (12337)
  3. Australia Australia (3884)
  4. Canada Canada (2639)
  5. Saudi Arabia Saudi Arabia (1500)
  6. New Zealand New Zealand (1006)
  7. South Africa South Africa (659)
  8. Nicaragua Nicaragua (651)
  9. Ireland Ireland (590)
  10. Nothern Ireland Nothern Ireland (522)
  11. Scotland Scotland (516)
  12. Nigeria Nigeria (406)
  13. Belize Belize (328)
  14. Wales Wales (307)
  15. Jamaica Jamaica (273)