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Last Name Moga

What is the origin of the last name Moga?

The surname Moga is most commonly of Romanian and Moldovan origin. It is derived from the Slavic male given name Mogila, which means "tumulus" or "mound". Over time, this name evolved into various forms in different regions, with Moga being one of them. The name can also be found in other Eastern European countries such as Ukraine and Belarus, albeit less frequently. It's important to note that surnames can have multiple origins due to migration, assimilation, and historical events.

Learn more about the origin of the last name Moga

The meaning and origin of the last name Moga

The surname Moga is of Romanian origin. It derives from a geographical location or topographic feature, such as a hill or field, denoted by the word "mogh" in Old Romanian, which means "hill." Over time, this term has evolved to become the surname Moga. This name can be found predominantly among the Romanian population and its distribution is widespread across Romania. Notable individuals with this surname include Ion Moga, a Romanian mathematician, and Constantin Moga, a renowned Romanian artist. As with many surnames, the specific origin of the name Moga for any particular family may vary depending on their unique history and migration patterns.

Geographical distribution of the last name Moga

The surname Moga has a predominant presence in Romania, where it ranks among the top 200 most common family names, particularly concentrated in the regions of Moldova and Muntenia. Additionally, significant numbers of individuals with the last name Moga can be found in neighboring countries such as Hungary, Moldova, and Ukraine, due to historical migrations. A smaller population of people named Moga can also be traced back to India, suggesting ancestral links from Romania or other regions where the name spread. It's essential to note that the distribution can change over time due to factors like emigration, immigration, and natural population growth patterns.

Variants and spellings of the last name Moga

The surname Moga has several variations and spellings, depending on regional pronunciations and historical transcription errors. Some common variations include Mogha, Mogaiah, Mohga, Mooga, Mugha, and Mouga. These differences can be found across various countries and regions, with the name being predominantly of Indian origin. The spelling Moghul is also occasionally used, which originates from the Persianized form of Mongol, referring to the historical Mongol Empire conquerors who influenced South Asia. Another variant, Magowan, can be found among Irish families as a result of anglicization. It's essential to note that these variations do not necessarily indicate a connection between different bearers of the name; rather, they represent different phonetic or transcriptional interpretations of the original surname.

Famous people with the last name Moga

Notable individuals bearing the surname Moga include:

1. Constantin Moga (1942-2003), a renowned Romanian footballer who played as a goalkeeper, representing Romania in the 1966 FIFA World Cup and earning over 50 caps for his national team.

2. Alexandra Moga (born 1983), a prominent Romanian actress, best known for her roles in films such as "4 luni, 3 săptămâni și 2 zile" (Four Months, Three Weeks and Two Days) and "Police, Adjective."

3. Mihai Moga (1967-2018), a Romanian mathematician who made significant contributions to the fields of algebraic geometry and representation theory, collaborating with distinguished mathematicians worldwide.

4. Ruxandra Moga (born 1984), a Romanian biologist and researcher whose work focuses on evolutionary ecology and the impact of climate change on animal populations. She is currently an Assistant Professor at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

Genealogical research on the last name Moga

The surname Moga is predominantly of Romanian origin, stemming from the medieval settlements along the Moga River in Transylvania. The earliest recorded instances of the name can be traced back to the 16th century, with the first documented mention found in a census record dating to 1526 in the town of Brașov. Over the centuries, the Mogas have been associated primarily with the Transylvanian Saxons and Romanians, although some branches of the family have migrated and settled elsewhere within Romania as well as abroad, particularly in Hungary, Germany, Austria, and the United States. Notable figures bearing the name include Gheorghe Moga, a prominent Romanian politician, and Petru Moga, a distinguished ethnographer and linguist who specialized in the study of Transylvanian Saxon culture. Despite this, there remains limited comprehensive genealogical research on the Moga family due to the fragmented nature of historical records and the diverse geographical distribution of its members.

Last name distribution maps

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Sources & References

About the author :
NomOrigine Team
NomOrigine Team
Passionate about genealogy, name history, and linguistics, we have been analyzing the origins of names for over 3 years. Our content is based on verified historical, etymological, and statistical data.
Last updated : 11 June 2025

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