Moss is a

surname In some cultures, a surname, family name, or last name is the portion of one's personal name that indicates one's family, tribe or community. Practices vary by culture. The family name may be placed at either the start of a person's full name ...

related either to the Old English ''mos'' – a peat-bog, to the Irish "Maolmona", an ancient Gaelic devotee, or to the

Hebrew Hebrew (; ; ) is a Northwest Semitic language of the Afroasiatic language family. Historically, it is one of the spoken languages of the Israelites and their longest-surviving descendants, the Jews and Samaritans. It was largely preserved ...

"Moses" (מֹשֶׁה) and can be of either

Jewish Jews ( he, יְהוּדִים, , ) or Jewish people are an ethnoreligious group and nation originating from the Israelites Israelite origins and kingdom: "The first act in the long drama of Jewish history is the age of the Israelites""The ...

, Irish or

English language English is a West Germanic language of the Indo-European language family, with its earliest forms spoken by the inhabitants of early medieval England. It is named after the Angles, one of the ancient Germanic peoples that migrated to the ...

origin.Last name: Moss
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History

* Arlene B. Nichols Moss, American chair of the Daughters of the American Revolution * Roger Moss (born 1940), American historian * Stephen Moss (b. 1960), British naturalist

Literature

* Howard Moss (1922–1987), American poet * Jason Moss (writer) (1975–2006), American writer and attorney * Mary Moss (1864–1914), American author and literary critic *

Sarah Moss Sarah Moss (born 1975) is an English writer and academic. She has published six novels, as well as a number of non-fiction works and academic texts. Her work has been nominated three times for the Wellcome Book Prize. She was appointed Assistant ...

(born 1975), English writer and academic *

Thylias Moss Thylias Moss (born February 27, 1954, in Cleveland, Ohio) is an American poet, writer, experimental filmmaker, sound artist and playwright of African-American, Native American, and European heritage. Her poetry has been published in a number ...

(born 1954), American poet

Music

* David Moss (born 1949), American composer, percussionist and singer *

Howard Moss (songwriter) Howard Moss (born 1 March 1975) is a British born songwriter. Howard moved to Ireland with his parents at the age of five and attended School at St. Michael's Diocesan School in Trim, County Meath, Ireland. He started playing the guitar and the ...

(born 1975), Anglo-Irish singer songwriter and guitarist * Ian Moss (born 1955), Australian musician * James Moss (born 1971), American gospel musician and composer best known for his stage name J. Moss *

Jerry Moss Jerome S. Moss (born May 8, 1935) is an American recording executive, best known for being the co-founder of A&M Records, along with trumpet player and bandleader Herb Alpert. Music career After graduating from Brooklyn College with a degree ...

(born 1935), A&M Records founder *

Jon Moss Jonathan Aubrey Moss (born 11 September 1957) is an English drummer, best known as a member of the 1980s new wave group Culture Club. He has also played with other bands, including London, the Nips, the Damned and Adam and the Ants. Early ...

(born 1957), British drummer with ''Culture Club'' * Katie Moss (1881–1947), British singer and composer *

Nick Moss Nick Moss (born December 15, 1969, Chicago, Illinois, United States) is an American Chicago blues and electric blues musician. He has released thirteen albums to date, all on his own label, Blue Bella Records label. He has played with Buddy Sco ...

(born 1969), American blues musician * Paul Moss, New Zealand record company executive * Bow Wow (born Shad Gregory Moss in 1987), American rapper

Politics

Allan A. Moss Allan A. Moss (December 3, 1854 – 1929), referred to as A. A. Moss, was the mayor of Newport News, Virginia. He is the only person to date to have served two nonconsecutive terms. His first span of office covered three two-year terms, from Se ...

(1854–1929), American mayor *

Annie Lee Moss Annie Lee Moss (August 9, 1905 – January 15, 1996) was a communications clerk in the US Army Signal Corps in the Pentagon and alleged member of the American Communist Party. She was believed to be a security risk by the FBI and her superio ...

(1905–1996), African American woman who was accused of being a Communist infiltrator in the Pentagon *

Frank Moss Frank Edward "Ted" Moss (September 23, 1911 – January 29, 2003) was an American lawyer and politician. A Democrat, he served as a United States Senator from Utah from 1959 to 1977. Early life and education Frank Moss was born in Holla ...

(1911–2003), Democrat United States Senator from Utah *

Hunter Holmes Moss Jr. Hunter Holmes Moss Jr. (May 26, 1874 – July 15, 1916) was a lawyer and Republican politician from West Virginia who served as a United States representative. Moss was born in Parkersburg in Wood County, West Virginia. He was a member of the ...

(1874–1916), American lawyer and politician *

Linda Moss Linda Nellie Moss is a South African politician who served as a Member of Parliament (MP) for the African National Congress. Moss resigned from the National Assembly with effect from 2 March 2023. Ebrahim Patel Ebrahim Patel (born 1962 i ...

, South African politician * Malcolm Moss (born 1943), British Conservative Party Member of Parliament *

Matthew Moss Matthew Lewis Moss KC (1 December 1863 – 28 February 1946) was a lawyer and politician who served in the Parliament of Western Australia on three separate occasions – in the Legislative Assembly from 1895 to 1897, and in the Legislative ...

(1863–1946), Australian member of parliament * Ralph W. Moss (U.S. Representative) (1862–1919) * Randolph Moss (born 1961), American judge and lawyer * Reginald Moss (1913–1995), British Labour Party Member of Parliament 1955–1959 * William P. Moss (1897–1985), American lawyer and politician

Sports

* Alan Moss (1930–2019), English cricketer *

Albert Moss (cricketer) Albert Edward Moss (3 October 1863 – 11 December 1945) was a cricketer: a fast bowler who had a short first-class career of just four games, all in 1889–90, but who nevertheless holds a unique record: he is the only man to have taken ...

(1863–1945), English and New Zealand cricketer *

Alfred Moss Alfred Ethelbert Moss (30 May 1896 – 23 April 1972) was an English dentist and racing driver. Born in Kensington, London, Moss was the son of Sarah Jane and Abraham Moses Moss. His father was Jewish, while his mother was a Christian. ...

(1896–1972), British racing driver * Ambry Moss (born 1990), Bahamanian footballer * Avery Moss (born 1994), American football player * Bill Moss (1933–2010), British racing driver *

Brad Moss Michael Brad Moss (born February 5, 1971) is an American bridge player from Berkeley, California and New York City. He is the son of Gail Greenberg. Bridge accomplishments Awards * ACBL King or Queen of Bridge (1) 1989 * ACBL Player of the ...

(born 1971), American bridge player * Brandon Moss (born 1983), American baseball player * Brent Moss (1972-2022), American football player best known for his collegiate career * Charles Malcolm 'Mal' Moss (1905–1983), American baseball pitcher *

Chris Moss Christopher Vashon Moss (born February 7, 1980) is an American basketball player, playing the power forward position. He played for Deutsche Bank Skyliners. Clubs * West Virginia University - NCAA (USA) - 1998/2001 * Hapoel Ironi Nahariya - ...

(born 1980), American basketball player *

Damian Moss Damian Joseph Moss (born 24 November 1976) is a retired Major League Baseball left-handed pitcher. Career After making his Major League debut on 26 April, , with the Atlanta Braves, Moss would also spend the season in Atlanta, where he placed ...

(born 1976), Australian baseball player * David Moss (ice hockey) (born 1981), American professional hockey player * Eric Moss (1974–2019), American football player *

Frank Moss (goalkeeper) Frank Moss (5 November 1909 – 7 February 1970) was an English football player and manager. A goalkeeper, Moss was born in Leyland, Lancashire, and first played for Preston North End, joining them in 1928. After a year and 24 games for Prest ...

(1909–1970), English football goalkeeper and manager *

Frank Moss (half-back) Frank Moss (17 April 1895 – 15 September 1965) was an English professional footballer who made over 250 appearances as a wing half in the Football League for Aston Villa. He was capped by England at international level and represented the Fo ...

(1895–1965), English football half-back *

Gail Moss Gail Harte Greenberg (born 1938) is a professional American bridge player from New York City. She has won major tournaments as Gail Shane, Gail Moss, and Gail Moss Greenberg. Sometime prior to the 2014 European and World meets (summer and October) ...

(born 1938), American bridge player *

Glen Moss Glen Robert Moss (born 19 January 1983) is a retired New Zealand goalkeeper who played for New Zealand at international level. A foundational member of both the New Zealand Knights and Wellington Phoenix, Moss has competed in 14 seasons of the ...

(born 1983), New Zealand soccer player * Greg Moss (born 1982), Canadian football player * Harold Moss (1929-2020), American businessman and politician *

Jarvis Moss Jarvis Jaray Moss (born August 3, 1984) is a former college and professional American football player who was a defensive end in the National Football League (NFL) for five seasons. He played college football for the University of Florida, rec ...

(born 1984), American football player * Jeff Moss (cricketer) (born 1947), Australian cricketer *

Jonathan Moss (cricketer) Jonathan Moss (born 4 May 1975) is an Australian cricketer. He is a right-handed batsman and a right-arm medium-pace bowler, who played for the Victorian Bushrangers from season 2000/01 to 2006/07. Biography Moss was born in Sydney, where his ...

(born 1975), Australian cricketer *

John Henry Moss John Henry Moss (November 10, 1918 – July 1, 2009) was a baseball executive and politician. Well known for his strong leadership and organizational skills, Moss was a key contributor to the development of Minor League Baseball during more than ...

(1918–2009), American baseball executive * Johnny Moss (1907–1995), professional poker player, 3-time world champion of poker * Les Moss (1925–2012), American baseball player and manager * Neil Moss (footballer) (born 1975), English footballer *

Pat Moss Patricia Ann Moss-Carlsson (''née'' Moss; 27 December 1934 – 14 October 2008) was one of the most successful female auto rally drivers of all time, achieving three outright wins and seven podium finishes in international rallies. She was cro ...

(1934–2008), British rally driver * Perry Moss (born 1926), American football player, coach, and executive *

Randy Moss Randy Gene Moss (born February 13, 1977) is an American former professional football wide receiver who played in the National Football League (NFL) for 14 seasons with the Minnesota Vikings, Oakland Raiders, New England Patriots, Tennesse ...

(born 1977), American football player *

Randy Moss (sports reporter) Randy Moss (born 1959 in Hot Springs, Arkansas) is an American sports announcer and reporter who currently covers thoroughbred racing, football and Olympics for NBC Sports, NBC Sports Network and NFL Network. Early life A native of Hot Springs, Ar ...

(born 1959), American sports announcer and journalist * Reginald Moss (1868–1956), English cricketer * Riley Moss (born 2000), American football player * Santana Moss (born 1979), American football player *

Sinorice Moss Sinorice Travonce Moss (born December 28, 1983) is a former American football wide receiver in the National Football League (NFL) and Canadian Football League (CFL). He was drafted by the New York Giants in the second round of the 2006 NFL Dra ...

(born 1983), American football player *

Stirling Moss Sir Stirling Craufurd Moss (17 September 1929 – 12 April 2020) was a British Formula One racing driver. An inductee into the International Motorsports Hall of Fame, he won 212 of the 529 races he entered across several categories of com ...

(1929–2020), British racing driver * Tanya Moss (born 1964), New Zealand gymnast *

Thaddeus Moss Thaddeus Waylan Moss (born May 14, 1998) is an American football tight end for the Birmingham Stallions of the United Football League (UFL). He played college football at NC State before transferring to LSU, where he caught two touchdowns in ...

(born 1998), American football player *

Zack Moss Zaccheus Malik Moss (born December 15, 1997) is an American football running back for the Indianapolis Colts of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Utah and was drafted by the Buffalo Bills in the third round of t ...

(born 1997), American football player

Television and film

* Arnold Moss (1910–1989), American actor * Bertha Moss (1919–2008), Argentinian actress *

Carrie-Anne Moss Carrie-Anne Moss (born August 21, 1967) is a Canadian actress. After early roles on television, she rose to international prominence for her role of Trinity in ''The Matrix'' series (1999–present). She has starred in '' Memento'' (2000) for w ...

(born 1967), Canadian actress * Donna Moss, fictional character from ''The West Wing'' * Elisabeth Moss (born 1982), American actress * Jeff Moss (1942–1998), ''Sesame Street'' creator * Jennifer Moss (1945–2006), British actress * Laura Moss (born 1973), American actress * Maurice Moss, fictional character from ''The IT Crowd'' * Ronn Moss (born 1952), American actor

Theatre

* Chloe Moss (born 1976), British dramatist * Edward Moss (1852–1912), British theatre promoter *

Strafford Moss Frederick Strafford Moss (1 November 1868 – 1941) was a British tenor and actor. He appeared in the Savoy operas of Gilbert and Sullivan from 1897 to 1913, mainly in touring companies of the D'Oyly Carte Opera Company, following which he ha ...

(1868–1941), British musical theatre tenor

Other

Colin Moss Colin William Moss (30 April 1914 – 16 December 2005) was a British artist and teacher who served as a camouflage designer during World War Two. Biography Early life Moss was born in Ipswich above the family shop and off-licence. His fath ...

, (1914–2005), British artist * Cynthia Moss (born 1940), American wildlife researcher and author *

Emani Moss Emani is a Persian surname of Indian origin. It is the alternate spelling of the word ''Iman'' which denotes ''faith'' or certitude to the unseen. Emani may also be a given name. Notable people with the name include: Given name * Emani Biswas ...

(2003–2013), American murder victim *

Frank Moss (lawyer) Frank Moss (March 16, 1860 – June 5, 1920) was an American lawyer, reformer and author. He was involved in many of the reform movements in New York City shortly before the start of the 20th century up until his death. As a longtime assistant to ...

(1860–1920), criminal lawyer and Assistant District Attorney for New York City in the early 20th century * Frank Moss (technologist) (born 1949), American computer scientist * Frank A. Moss, (1862–1940), Australian mining engineer * Gérard Moss (born 1955), Brazilian aviator and environmentalist * Jacqueline Moss (1927–2005), American art historian * Joel M. Moss (born 1943), American nuclear physicist * John C. Moss (1838–1892), invented the first practicable photo-engraving process in 1863 *

Kate Moss Katherine Ann Moss (born 16 January 1974) is a British model. Arriving at the end of the "supermodel era", Moss rose to fame in the early 1990s as part of the heroin chic fashion trend. Her collaborations with Calvin Klein brought her to fas ...

(born 1974), British supermodel *

Leonard Moss The Venerable Leonard Godfrey Moss, AKC (11 July 1932 – 2 October 2021) was Archdeacon of Hereford from 1991 until 1997. He was educated at King's College London and ordained deacon in 1960 and priest in 1961. After curacies in Putney (1960� ...

(1932-2021), British Anglican priest * Llewelyn Moss, protagonist in the novel and film '' No Country for Old Men'' * Lydia Moss (1816–1908), American bank president and philanthropist * Mary Moss (1791–1875), mother of William Booth *

Murray Moss Murray Moss is an American entrepreneur and founder of the design art company Moss, as well as the design consultancy Moss Bureau. He began his career as a professional actor in the United States and Great Britain, following studies at Columbia U ...

, American design expert *

Neil Moss (caver) Oscar Hackett Neil Moss (28 July 1938''1939 England and Wales Register'' – 23 March 1959) was a British student who died in a caving accident. A twenty-year-old undergraduate studying philosophy at Balliol College, Oxford, Moss became jammed u ...

(1938–1959), English caver * P. Buckley Moss (born 1933), American artist *

Preacher Moss Bryant Reginald Moss (born 1967), best known by his stage name Preacher Moss, is an American stand-up comedian and writer. He is best known as one third of comedy trio Allah Made Me Funny. Early life Moss was born in Washington, D.C. to Afric ...

(born 1967), American comedian * Ralph W. Moss (writer) (born 1943), American writer *

Sanford Alexander Moss Sanford Alexander Moss (August 23, 1872 – November 10, 1946) was an American aviation engineer, who was the first to use a turbocharger on an aircraft engine. Life and career Sanford Moss was born 1872 in San Francisco, California to Ernest ...

(1872–1946), American aviation engineer * Tamara Moss (born 1987), Indian model *

William Lorenzo Moss William Lorenzo Moss (23 August 1876 – August 12, 1957) was an American physician and professor of medicine. He developed the Moss System of blood groups in 1910 which was used to ensure safe blood transfusions before more detailed classifications ...

(1876–1957), American physician

References

{{surname, Moss English-language surnames Jewish surnames