This interesting surname may derive from two distinct possible origins. Firstly it may be a German cognitive of the English name "Moss", which is a topographical name for someone who lived by a peat bog, from the Old English word "mos" or the Old Norse "mosi", peat bog. Secondly, the name may also be of Germanic origin, from the German word "morser", mortar, mortar board, hence the name may have denoted someone of academic achievement or it may have been occupational for an artillery soldier, as a mortar is a type of cannon. The name is found in England as Mosier, Mozer, Moser etc.. A total of fifteen coat of arms were granted to families of the name "Moser" in Germany, Austria and Switzerland. The name may have been introduced into England by Huguenots immigrants, fleeing religious persecution in France in the late 16th Century. Edmond, son of Nicholas Mosyer was christened at St. Dunstan, Stepney, London on April 23rd 1572, while Nathaniell Moiser was christened here also on May 28th 1590. Anne, daughter of Abraham and Sibilla Moser, French Huguenots, was christened at Threadneedle Street, London on February 6th 1743. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of John Mosiar, who was christened, which was dated November 11th 1565, at St. Mary, Whitechapel, Stepney, during the reign of Queen Elizabeth 1, "Good Queen Bess", 1558 - 1603. Surnames became necessary when governments introduced personal taxation. In England this was known as Poll Tax. Throughout the centuries, surnames in every country have continued to "develop" often leading to astonishing variants of the original spelling.