Surname Moon - Meaning and Origin
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Tracing the Moon Surname: Cultural and Historical Revelations from iGENEA DNA Test
Through my iGENEA DNA test, I embarked on a remarkable journey tracing the multicultural origins and storied history of my surname, Moon. With roots dipped in Irish, English, and Korean cultures and history stretching from medieval England to dynastic Korea, the Moon surname encapsulates a narrative of diversity and rich cultural heritage.
P. Moon
read moreMoon: What does the surname Moon mean?
The last name Moon is of English, Irish, or Scottish origin and derives from the Old English term "mona" which means "moon". It was often used as a nickname for someone who had a moon-shaped face or someone who was a bit eccentric or unpredictable, symbolizing the ever-changing phases of the moon. In Ireland, Moon is an anglicized form of the Gaelic "O Mochain" (descendant of Mochan) with Mochan meaning "early" or "timely". In Scotland, it is derived from the Gaelic name "MacGillemona" which means "the son of the servant of (Saint) Mona". Overall, the meaning of the surname can vary based on geographic and cultural factors.
Order DNA origin analysisMoon: Where does the name Moon come from?
The last name Moon is most common in East Asia today, specifically in countries such as Korea, China, and Japan. It is thought to have originated in China during the Eastern Zhou Dynasty, over 2,500 years ago. As such, the surname is particularly popular in countries with strong Confucian cultures, such as Korea and Japan.
In Korea, the Moon surname is one of the most common family names, representing about 4% of the entire Korean population. The Manchu people of China also adopted it as a surname.
Outside of East Asia, the surname is also found in other parts of Asia, such as India, Indonesia, and Sri Lanka, as well as all around the world, including the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom.
In the United States, Moon is the 431st most popular surname, with the largest concentration of people having this surname living in the states of California, Texas, and Oklahoma. In Canada, Moon is ranked as the 282nd most popular surname, with the highest concentration of it being in the provinces of Alberta and British Columbia. Finally, in the United Kingdom, Moon is ranked as the 642nd most popular surname, with the highest concentration of it being in theid="...region of Scotland.
Variations of the surname Moon
The surname Moon is derived from the Old English pre 7th century word, ‘muna’ which means a man who is distinguished for his courage, intelligence or superior character. The variants and spellings for Moon include Mun, Munn, Mon, Mune, Moun and Moone. Other surnames with a similar origin include Munson, Mounsey, Muncey, Moonshine, Moundis, Moyne, and Mony.
Munson is an Englishsurname derived from "the son of Mun", a personal name derived from the Old English ‘Muna’. The surname Munn emerged from a similar form of the same Old English word. It is often used as a prefix to many English place-names, such as Eastmond or Westmond.
Mounsey is derived from a Norman name meaning "the son of Mounse", a variant of ‘Muna’. Muncey is an English name derived from "the son of Mounce", yet another variant of ‘Muna’. Moonshine is an occupational surname related to the practice of smuggling alcohol, hence the association with the moon as a source of light for traveling at night.
Moundis is an alternate spelling of Mountis, a name of French origin. Moyne is an Irish surname derived from the Gaelic word, ‘Maonaigh’ which means ‘descendant of the man of courage’. Lastly, Mony is a variant of Mon, an English and Scottish surname derived from the Old English pre 7th century word ‘muna’.
Famous people with the name Moon
- Donnie Yen: Hong Kong actor, stuntman, filmmaker and martial artist
- Michelle Phillips: American singer, songwriter, and actress
- Tablo: South Korean rapper, record producer, songwriter, and entrepreneur
- Jim Moon: British actor and voice actor
- Claire Moon: Taiwanese singer and actress
- Demi Moon: Filipino singer-songwriter
- Tommy Moon: American country music artist
- Pete Moon: American Gospel singer/songwriter
- Deveny Moon: American Folk artist
- Ben Moon: American rock climber and author