jewish ancestors

[linda.andmac]

please can some tell me if moses is a jewish surname or not

[DebbieAnn]

Moses is a Biblical name. I have seen it used by those of both Christian and Jewish faiths as a prenom, but have never seen it used as a surname.

Also, while certain surnames have historically been connected with a particular religion, it can't be assumed to always be so in fact. As well, the absence of certain types of surnames does not rule out Jewish or other particular ethnic ancestry.

For instance, many people of Polish descent have last names ending in 'ski' but not all names ending in 'ski' are Polish. Nor are all Poles having last names ending in 'ski' Jewish, although many are. There are also Polish Jews whose last names do not end in 'ski' - in other words, you can't assume because someone is Polish and has a last name ending in 'ski' that they are Jewish, or that all Polish Jews have last names ending in 'ski'.

So if you have an ancestor whose last name is Moses, the only way to know if he was Jewish is either to know from oral history, or to discover records which prove it. If he lived in a Jewish community, and others of that name were Jewish, and it appears that they were related at some point, you might assume he probably might have some Jewish ancestry himself, somewhere along the line. But you still need to find the link.

Debbie

[lyndy]

hi my great grandad was called moses and he was jewish

[DebbieAnn]

My 3Xgr-grandfather was Moses Wellwood, but he was not Jewish. Actually the Biblical Moses recieved that name from the daughter of Pharoah, and it was an Egyptian name. It is derived from the word meaning 'son' as she took him to raise as her son. The Hebrews likened the name to 'mashach' meaning to draw out, as she drew him out from the water.

Debbie

[Peter Goodey]

"is moses a jewish surname"

There were over 3000 people with the surname MOSES in the 1881 census.

A glance at the IGI will reveal many hundreds of people called MOSES being baptised in Christian churches long before any widespread Jewish immigration. The figures are much too high to suggest for a moment that MOSES is an exclusively Jewish surname.

[dsquared]

I have an ancestor Richard Moses, born 1765-1770. He was possibly born in Portsmouth, but certainly lived there.

[TESSYCOL]

I have an ancestor Richard Moses whose wife was Mary ?

Their daughter Sarah Moses was born Lower Halstow Kent 12/04/1758.

I have always believed that the family were C/E some of the family were buried in C/E churches.

tessycol

[get2BJ]

MOSES
Gender: Masculine
Usage: English (http://www.behindthename.com/nmc/eng.php), Biblical (http://www.behindthename.com/nmc/bibl.php)
Pronounced: MOZ-es

From the Hebrew name מֹשֶׁה (http://www.behindthename.com/support/transcribe.php?type=HB&target=Mos%5Ee%5Eh) (Mosheh) which is most likely derived from Egyptian mes meaning "son", but could also possibly mean "deliver" in Hebrew. The meaning suggested in the Old Testament of "drew out" from Hebrew משה (http://www.behindthename.com/support/transcribe.php?type=HB&target=ma%21s%21a%21h) (mashah) is unlikely. The biblical Moses was drawn out of the Nile by the pharaoh's daughter. He led the Jews out of captivity in Egypt and received the Ten Commandments from God.

Brenda

[nate]

Hi,I have Joshua Nunn born around 1771 ,Ipswich,Suffolk ,carpenter.I was wondering if this is a jewish name as my grandfather said that his family were jews ,I am trying to find out if the photo my mother has of my g g grandfather with a apron and sash ,could be Jewish clothes or freemason .This is purely out of interest and to confirm the family story.Any information would be great,thanks,Suz.

[get2BJ]

JOSHUA
Gender: Masculine
Usage: English (http://www.behindthename.com/nmc/eng.php), Biblical (http://www.behindthename.com/nmc/bibl.php)
Pronounced: JAH-shu-wa, JAW-shwa

From the Hebrew name יְהוֹשֻׁעַ (http://www.behindthename.com/support/transcribe.php?type=HB&target=Y%3Ahwos%5Eu%5E%22a%5E) (Yehoshu'a) which meant "YAHWEH (http://www.behindthename.com/php/view.php?name=yahweh) is salvation". Joshua was one of the twelve spies sent into Canaan by Moses in the Old Testament. After Moses died Joshua succeeded him as leader of the Israelites. The name Jesus was a variant of the name Joshua.

[DebbieAnn]

Hi,I have Joshua Nunn born around 1771 ,Ipswich,Suffolk ,carpenter.I was wondering if this is a jewish name as my grandfather said that his family were jews ,I am trying to find out if the photo my mother has of my g g grandfather with a apron and sash ,could be Jewish clothes or freemason .This is purely out of interest and to confirm the family story.Any information would be great,thanks,Suz.


Can you scan the photo and put it up with a link? It's hard to comment without seeing the photo...

Debbie

[nate]

Hi,thanks for your reply,Unfortunately I cannot put the picture up at this time but I will keep trying to get a hold of it .Apparently ,my Mother has also had the apron and sash but gave it to a friend to display .I will investigate this further,it was on display for the freemasons.I do wonder ,could Jews actually be freemasons?My relative was a freemason according to family ,he came from Ipswich and moved to Derbyshire .He was a school teacher and relieving officer.William Nunn born 1843 is the man wearing these clothes.His father was John Nunn born 1811 /1807 ,bootcloser,and his father was Joshua Nunn ,carpenter born abt 1771 all born at Ipswich St Helens,Suffolk.I have been trying to find Joshua for about a year but with no success,I have had several candidates but I am wondering if Joshua Nunn who is living in St Marylebone is the correct one ?