origin of name

[myselfness]

not sure if this is the right section but i got into a debate with my dad the other day. I thoguht my surname was irish as i have an irish coat of arms.. or something like that... but he said it was jewish... i am wondering if theres a sight i can find out from

its Moss btw incase anyone knows off hand...

thanks

[gary baldy]

I'm afraid your dad is right - it derives from the Jewish Mosse which is Hebrew for Moses.

[mike b]

Possible, but not necessarily so, surely? That would be like saying that everyone called Lewis was Jewish, as that was a common anglicization of Levi... (for that matter, could Morse be another variation of Moses??)

[Quizmonster]

Click here for a much more probable source. Just as Woods, Lea, Field and hosts of other surnames come from the place where the name was first applied, so it almost certainly is with Moss...ie your ancestors lived by a peat-bog.

[gary baldy]

I stand corrected! : )
I did think it was a bit weird to be honest when i read it but didnt question it and should have done more research.
Its was late......
Match of the day was on........
What ya gonna do....?

[dot.hawkes]

If you have the right to bear arms in the name of Moss your family lineage will be shown here:
http://www.burkes-peerage.net/code/newFullTxtS rch.asp?ct=allbooks&SrchStr=&pagetype=resultpa ge&sd=rank&c2=@META_SortName&q1=Moss&B1=SEARCH

[myselfness]

thanks everyone...

guess were both wrong since it all points to British...

i dont mind as long as my dads not right!!! lol