Surname Mouat - Meaning and Origin

Mouat: What does the surname Mouat mean?

The surname Mouat is of Scottish origin and is believed to have derived from the Old Norman name "Hamon". It is an anglicised version of the Gaelic name "Mac Gille Mhaoil". This name began as a nickname for an individual who was a servant of Saint Maudut, an early missionary saint popular in Brittany, France. Often, the 'Mac' prefix would be dropped over time, turning MacGilleMhaoil into Mouat. Hence, the surname primarily stemmed from a religious background. Following Norman Invasion, the name began to spread across places. Surnames such as these were often based on a wide variety of characteristics, including personal attributes, profession, geographical location, and even desired attributes or fears. Today, people with the last name Mouat live in various parts of the world, carrying forward the lineage and historic connotations of the name. However, like with many surnames, it's important to note that people carrying this surname today may not necessarily have any historic or genealogical connection to its original meaning.

Mouat: Where does the name Mouat come from?

The last name MOUAT is particularly common in the UK, especially Scotland. The name is recorded in Scotland since the 13th century, and is thought to derive from the Old French moute meaning ‘a mite, denoting some small donation’. It is also believed to have been a byname, and hence derived from the personal name Mowat.

In modern times, the name MOUAT can be found throughout Scotland. It is particularly common in Angus, its ancient homeland in eastern Scotland, where it remains the most popular name. It is also well-represented in Aberdeen, the “Silver City” in northeast Scotland, where it is the 24th most popular name. Additionally, the name is common in other parts of the UK, such as in the city of Newcastle upon Tyne, where it ranks as the 99th most popular name.

Outside of the UK, the name MOUAT is also present in several other countries around the world. It is perhaps most common in the United States, where it can be found in many states such as California, Texas and New York. Canada, Australia and New Zealand also have small proportions of people with the last name MOUAT. The name also appears in countries like South Africa, France, and Germany, among others.

Variations of the surname Mouat

Mouat is a surname of Scottish, Irish, and Scandinavian origin. It is derived from the Old Norse word "mauth" meaning "son of the staff-bearer". The variants and spellings for this surname include: Mowatt, Mouatt, Muat, Muitt, Mouit, Mowit and Mewat.

Mowatt is most commonly found in Scotland and is an Anglicized form of the name. Mouat is a more traditional spelling found in other parts of the British Isles, and Mowit is a form found in the United States. Muat is a spelling that is also found in the United States.

In addition, some related surnames Ravey, Rufey, Rowie and Roult may be found. These surnames stem from Mouat, and may also be variations in spelling or even diminutives of the name.

Mouat is still a common surname in Scotland nowadays. It tends to be pronounced ‘moo-at’ with a soft ‘u’ and ‘a’, though some can say it as ‘mote’ with a stronger ‘o’. The surname is shared by people of all walks of life around the world. Those who bear the surname can be found in many different countries which demonstrate the surname's rich history of international travel and migration.

Famous people with the name Mouat

• Henry Mouat: a physicist who at first specialized in magnetic force microscopy and is now known mainly for his contributions to pattern recognition and automation.
• Shirley Mouat: a British singer-songwriter and musician who is known for her theatrical live performances of her folk-inspired music.
• Alexander Mouat: a Canadian actor and voice actor who is best known for his roles in films, television series, and video games, such as the 2006 animated movie Guy vs. the Forces of Evil and the 2011 comedy series The Broken Side of Time.
• Christopher Mouat: a British entrepreneur and laid the foundation for the Mouat Group, which specializes in government-backed IT products and services.
• Lance Mouat: a Canadian film and television producer whose credits include Hollywood blockbusters such as The Divide (2009) and Zapped! (2010).
• G.T.A. Mouat: an English artist and etcher who was known for both his portraits and landscapes in the 19th century as well as his etchings.
• Alma Mouat: a Canadian First Nations writer from the Nisga’a Nation who is best known for poetry and short-fiction collections as well as her work in medical anthropology and cultural anthropology.
• David Mouat: a Canadian folk singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, recognized for his unique blend of traditional and progressive folk music.
• Robyn Mouat: a British illustrator and textile artist known for her bold prints and illustrations, which have been featured in numerous magazines.
• Mark Mouat: a British actor, best known for his role as Simon Childs in the long-running BBC One television series, Married For Life.

Other surnames

Mouatt