Surname Mora - Meaning and Origin

Unraveling the Legacy of Mora: A Personal Insight Through iGENEA DNA Test

Embarking on an ancestry journey with the iGENEA DNA test, I discovered the rich lineage of my surname, Mora, and made rewarding connections with people sharing the name, gaining insight into our collective heritage.

Q. Mora

Mora: What does the surname Mora mean?

The surname Mora is of Spanish origin and carries multiple meanings. Firstly, it refers to a town's name in Spain, suggesting that the initial bearers of the name might have hailed from there. Secondly, "Mora" can also be derived from the Spanish term for mulberry tree or blackberry bush, which could imply that the initial bearers lived near such a tree or bush. The surname could also originate from the term 'Moro,' meaning Moor, indicating that the original bearers may have been descendants of the Moors, the Muslim inhabitants of the Iberian Peninsula, Sicily, and Malta during the Middle Ages. Therefore, the surname Mora, like many surnames, could relate to a geographic location, landmark, or ancestry.

Mora: Where does the name Mora come from?

Mora is a popular Spanish-origin last name. It is primarily found in Spain, Mexico, and several Latin American countries such as Chile, Guatemala, Ecuador, Colombia, and Costa Rica. In Spain, it is estimated that over 66,000 people bear this surname.

In the United States, the latest census reports places the number of people with the last name Mora at over 22,000. States with the most notable concentrations of the name are Texas, California, and New York. Other pockets of people with the last name can be also be found in states such as Washington, Illinois, Arizona, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, and Florida.

Mora is also a common surname in Canada, where it ranks at number 83 on the list of the country’s most popular surnames. There are over 2,600 Canadians with the last name Mora living in the provinces of Ontario, Alberta, and British Columbia.

In Europe, the surname is most common in Italy, France, Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. Other countries in which the name can be found are Portugal, Czech Republic, Belgium, the Netherlands, and the U.K. In the U.K., the family name is found in cities such as London, Manchester, and Birmingham.

Overall, the last name Mora has a notably wide geographic distribution, with people bearing the name living across the world.

Variations of the surname Mora

Mora is a surname of primarily Spanish origin, meaning "blackberry". Variants of this surname include Moro, Moras, More, Morey, Moral, Morale, and Moraes. Spellings can also vary, with the surname occasionally appearing as Morah or Morra. It can sometimes appear as a given name as well.

In Spain, the surname is most commonly found on the Mediterranean coast and inland regions such as Valencia and Madrid. Whereas in Latin America, particularly Mexico, the surname is much more widespread.

Mora is also found in a number of different spellings scattered throughout Europe, particularly in France and Greece. In France, the surname is sometimes seen spelled Moers, Marais, or Maurais. In Greece it is sometimes seen as Maras, Moros, or Moralia.

The various spellings and variants of the Mora surname are all believed to have the same origin. Whether that origin is from a place name, a profession, or religious or cultural association remains unknown.

Famous people with the name Mora

• Carlos Mora Vanegas: Mexican actor, singer, and model.
• Javier Mora: Spanish journalist and anchor of Las Mañanas de Cuatro.
• Erendira Ibarra: Mexican actress and singer.
• Cristina Mora: Spanish actress and writer.
• Rafa Mora: Spanish reality television star.
• Rafaela de la Mora: Spanish actress and director.
• Millie Bobby Brown: British actress, known for her role as 'Eleven' in the Netflix show, Stranger Things.
• Thalia: Mexican actress, singer-songwriter, and businesswoman.
• Alfredo Mora: Argentinian musician, composer, and teacher.
• La Casa de las Flores: Veronica Castro's iconic Mexican telenovela.
• Alí Primera: Venezuelan singer-songwriter and human rights activist.
• Gabriel Mora: Dominican author and poet.
• Penélope Menchaca: Mexican-American actress, model, and television host.
• Marimar Vega: Mexican actress and singer.
• Jorge Mora: Colombian TV presenter and actor.
• Isabel Mora: Spanish actress and television presenter.
• Carlos Mora: Chilean musician, composer, and singer.
• Pedro de la Rosa: Spanish Formula One driver.
• Juan Carlos Mora: Spanish football coach and former player.
• Kiko Mora: Spanish DJ and music producer.

Other surnames

MorMoradMoradiMorahMoraleeMoralesMoralezMoranMoratMorathMoravczinczkyMoravecMoravekMoravetzMoravezMoraviecMorawecMoraweckMorawekMorawetzMorawezMorawiecMorawietzMorawiezMorawitz