The name is thought to be a corruption of "Moss-hall" or "Moss-haw" but its spelling was amended in 1812 to mark Napoleon's retreat from Moscow.

[citation needed] The name may also be of Brittonic origin, and derived from the words maɣes, "field" and coll, "hazel" (Welsh maes-coll).

Ayr County Council suggested that "during the Crimean war there were various refugees and prisoners located in the neighbourhood, and it was then that Russian names were given to various places.

"[4] Shaw records that "a generation ago Russian prisoners of war were located between Galston and Fenwick, at a place called Moscow".

[citation needed] The village is referenced in the song "Hayfever" by The Trash Can Sinatras on their album I've Seen Everything: "...Moscow's in Ayrshire, what's the problem?