The surname Moll has origins in multiple European countries. It is derived from several possible sources:
1. German and Dutch: A short form of various compound names with "Molt" or "Multe," such as Johannes dem Molten (John the Miller) or Meinhardus de Multebroc (Meinhard at the Mill Brook).
2. Catalan, Spanish, French: It may come from the medieval personal name Moll (soft), which itself derived from the Latin word mollis (soft, gentle, kind).
3. Jewish: A variant of the Jewish surname Mollo, which possibly originated in Spain or Italy and was brought to other parts of Europe by Sephardic Jews during the expulsion in 1492.
4. Swedish: It may be a topographical name for someone who lived on a flat area (mölle) near water, where mills could be built.
5. Czech, Slovak: Moll can also mean "wagoner" or "driver of a wagon," derived from the Old Slavic word mola (cart).
It is essential to note that many people with the surname Moll may have different origins due to name changes, migrations, and assimilation over centuries.
Learn more about the origin of the last name Moll
The meaning and origin of the last name Moll
The surname Moll is of Germanic origin, derived from the Middle High German word "molle," which means "grinder" or "mill." It may also have an Occitan origin, where it is a diminutive form of the female name Molly, meaning "star of the sea." Historically, in medieval Germany, millers were important figures as they controlled the grain supply. As such, the surname Moll was often given to individuals who worked as millers or lived near watermills. Over time, as families migrated and populations grew, the spelling and pronunciation of the name may have varied slightly, leading to different regional forms such as Mull, Molle, Möll, etc. Today, Moll is a relatively uncommon surname but can be found in various countries, particularly in Germany, France, and Spain.
Geographical distribution of the last name Moll
The last name Moll is predominantly found in Western and Central Europe, particularly in Germany, France, Spain, and Portugal. In Germany, it is most common in the regions of Bavaria, Württemberg, and Rhineland-Palatinate. In France, it is concentrated in Alsace and Lorraine. The name is also found in significant numbers in northern Spain, particularly in Galicia and Asturias, as well as in Portugal, especially in the northern regions. Additionally, the Moll surname can be found in smaller numbers across Europe, with some occurrences in Belgium, the Netherlands, and Switzerland. It's important to note that the distribution of a last name like Moll does not necessarily reflect the ethnicity or nationality of individuals bearing the name, as it may have been adopted through various historical processes such as migration, assimilation, and naturalization.
Variants and spellings of the last name Moll
The surname Moll has several variations and spellings across different countries and regions. Some common variations include Mull, Moul, Molle, and Mul. These variations can be found in English, Scottish, German, Dutch, French, and other European languages. In Scotland, the name Mull is often associated with the geographical region of the Isle of Mull. In German-speaking countries, Moll may be derived from the word for "blackbird" or a specific occupational title. The variations Molle and Mul are predominantly found in France and Dutch-speaking regions respectively. It is important to note that family names can undergo changes over time due to various factors such as migration, language shifts, and administrative errors.
Famous people with the last name Moll
Notable individuals with the surname Moll include:
1. Johann Sebastian Bach's son-in-law, Johann Christian Müller (often anglicized as Moll), who was a violinist and music theorist. He married one of Bach's daughters, Anna Magdalena Wilcke, in 1725.
2. Pierre-Joseph Maille (1809–1864), also known as Pierre-Joseph Moll, was a French botanist and pharmacist who co-founded the Pharmacy Museum in Marseille.
3. The English sailor John Moll the Elder (1570s-c. 1629) was instrumental in establishing the Muscovy Company's trade with Russia. His son, John Moll the Younger (1604–1680), was also a notable East India merchant and politician.
4. Robert Moll (1753-1837) was an English portrait painter who worked in the Neoclassical style. He served as President of the Royal Academy from 1825 until his death in 1837.
5. In modern times, Thomas Moll (born 1961), a German artist, has gained recognition for his conceptual installations and sculptures. His works often explore themes of identity, memory, and the passage of time.
Genealogical research on the last name Moll
The surname Moll is predominantly found in German-speaking regions and has multiple origins. One lineage can be traced back to the Rhineland region in Germany, where the name evolved from "Mohl," a nickname derived from the occupational term "Mole" or "Molle," meaning miller. Another branch of the Moll family originated in Switzerland and is believed to have Germanic roots, specifically from the Alemannic tribes. The name also appeared in Spain during the Middle Ages, where it was brought by Moorish conquerors and evolved into the Spanish surname Molina. Notable figures with the last name Moll include Johannes Moll (1693-1759), a German mathematician, and Günter Moll (born 1929), a prominent German archaeologist. The genealogy of the Moll family continues to be researched by many historians and genealogists worldwide.
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 :
Share the origin of your last name with your friends
The last name "Mola Jan" appears to be of Persian origin. "Mola" is a common surname in Iran and other Persian-speaking countries, while "Jan" is a term of endearment in Persian me...
The last name "Mola Khan" is of Persian origin. "Mola" is a title of respect used in Persian-speaking countries, meaning "saint" or "master". "Khan" is a common surname in many Cen...
The last name "Molabaksh" is of Persian origin. It is a combination of the elements "mola" meaning "owner" or "master" and "baksh" meaning "to give" or "to gift."
The last name "Molae" is of Persian origin. It is derived from the Persian word "mola", meaning master or leader. This last name is commonly found in Iran and other Persian-speakin...
The last name Molaei is of Persian origin. It is derived from the Persian word "Molla", which means a religious leader or scholar. The suffix "-ei" is a common suffix in Persian la...
The surname Molamma is of Italian origin. It is believed to be derived from the personal name Mola, which means "millstone" in Italian. This surname may have been used to describe ...
The last name "Molana" is of Persian origin. It is derived from the word "Mawlana," which means "our master" or "our lord" in Persian. It is often used as a title of respect for re...
The surname Molas is primarily of Basque origin, a region spanning parts of Spain and France in the Pyrenees Mountains. The name Molas may have various meanings, including "mills" ...
The surname "Molateef" is of Arabic origin. It is believed to be derived from the word "lateef," which means kind or gentle in Arabic. The name may have originally been used to des...
The surname Molato is believed to have origins in several regions, mainly in Spain and Portugal, but it can also be found in other parts of Europe due to historical migrations.
In...
The last name "Molayil" is of Indian origin, specifically from the state of Kerala. It is most commonly found among members of the Syrian Christian community in Kerala. The name li...
