Moores

Moores is a surname of English origin. It is a variant of Moore, derived from the Old English mor or mōr, meaning moor, marsh, or fen. The name originally described someone who lived near or worked on a moor. Moores likely developed as a locational or occupational surname and was carried abroad through emigration and colonization. The spelling Moores is one of several modern variants of the name, alongside Moore, Moor, and Muir.

Today, Moores is found in many English-speaking countries, most commonly in the United States and the United Kingdom, with presence in Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. In historical records, the surname appears in medieval and early modern parish registries, and later in census and immigration documents with various spellings due to inconsistent orthography.

Geographic uses of the name occur as place names in North America, including towns or geographic features named after early settlers with the surname Moores. Such toponymy reflects the common practice of naming places for landowners or prominent residents.

Many individuals bearing the surname Moores have contributed to public life, science, sports, and the arts, though the name does not refer to a single defining figure. As with many surnames, carriers of Moores may trace lineage to multiple regions, and genealogical research often explores variants such as Moore, Moor, and Muir.