UK surname
A surname derived from the Latin word "miles" meaning soldier or knight.
In the 1881 census there were 93 people recorded with the Mile surname, ranking it #20,593 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 44, ranked #35,224, down from #20,593 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Ruabon, London parishes and Lambeth. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Mile is 309 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 52.7%.
1881 census count
93
Ranked #20,593
Modern count
44
2016, ranked #35,224
Peak year
1861
309 bearers
Map years
4
1851 to 1911
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Mile surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Mile surname density by area, 1911 census.
Timeline
Back to topThe table below tracks recorded surname counts and rank from the 19th-century census years through the modern adult-register period.
| Year | Period | Count | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1851 | historical | 103 | #16,835 |
| 1861 | historical | 309 | #8,207 |
| 1881 | historical | 93 | #20,593 |
| 1891 | historical | 244 | #12,983 |
| 1901 | historical | 98 | #23,119 |
| 1911 | historical | 153 | #17,633 |
| 1997 | modern | 25 | #35,261 |
| 1998 | modern | 21 | #35,788 |
| 1999 | modern | 25 | #35,413 |
| 2000 | modern | 19 | #36,007 |
| 2001 | modern | 14 | #36,372 |
| 2002 | modern | 10 | #36,902 |
| 2003 | modern | 9 | #37,101 |
| 2004 | modern | 17 | #36,342 |
| 2005 | modern | 16 | #36,530 |
| 2006 | modern | 18 | #36,412 |
| 2007 | modern | 20 | #36,362 |
| 2008 | modern | 23 | #36,211 |
| 2009 | modern | 28 | #35,988 |
| 2010 | modern | 30 | #35,967 |
| 2011 | modern | 34 | #35,705 |
| 2012 | modern | 37 | #35,531 |
| 2013 | modern | 38 | #35,534 |
| 2014 | modern | 41 | #35,396 |
| 2015 | modern | 42 | #35,322 |
| 2016 | modern | 44 | #35,224 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Ruabon, London parishes, Lambeth, Blandford Town, Pimperne and Portsmouth, Portsea. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.
The modern local-area list points to No data. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.
| Rank | Parish | Area |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ruabon | Denbighshire |
| 2 | London parishes | London 3 |
| 3 | Lambeth | London (South Districts) |
| 4 | Blandford Town, Pimperne | Dorset |
| 5 | Portsmouth, Portsea | Hampshire |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Mile surname in historical and recent records.
Recent female names
Recent male names
Modern profile
Back to topModern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Mile, this points to the kinds of places where the surname is most concentrated today.
These neighbourhood labels describe areas, not individual people. They are useful because surnames often cluster through family history, migration, housing patterns and local work. A surname can be strongest in one type of neighbourhood even when people with that name live across the country.
The UK classification gives the national picture. The London classification is more specific to the capital, where housing, age profile, tenure and population mix can look quite different from the rest of the UK.
UK neighbourhood type
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Nationally, the Mile surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Mile household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.
London neighbourhood type
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Within London, Mile is most associated with areas classed as No data, part of No data. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.
Broadband speed
The modern neighbourhood pattern for Mile is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Mile, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname MILE is of English origin, derived from the Old English word "mil," meaning a measure of distance equivalent to about 1.6 kilometers or 0.9 miles. This surname likely originated as a descriptive name for someone who lived a significant distance from a town or village, or perhaps a name given to a messenger or traveler who frequently covered long distances.
The earliest recorded instances of the surname MILE can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, which was a comprehensive survey of land ownership in England commissioned by William the Conqueror. Some examples of the name in the Domesday Book include William Mile from Dorset and Osbert Mile from Oxfordshire.
During the 13th and 14th centuries, the surname MILE appeared in various medieval records and documents, such as the Hundred Rolls of 1273, which listed landowners and taxpayers in England. One notable example is Roger Mile, a landowner from Worcestershire mentioned in the Hundred Rolls.
In the 15th century, the surname MILE was sometimes spelled as "Myle" or "Miele," reflecting the variations in spelling and pronunciation common during that era. One prominent figure from this period was John Myle, a renowned scholar and theologian who lived from 1440 to 1518.
The 16th century saw the emergence of several notable individuals bearing the surname MILE. One of them was Richard Mile (1510-1572), an English clergyman and author who wrote several works on theology and religious matters. Another was Thomas Mile (1530-1598), a Member of Parliament who represented Wiltshire in the House of Commons during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I.
In the 17th century, the surname MILE continued to be associated with various place names and locations across England. For example, there was a village called Mile End in East London, which likely derived its name from its distance from the City of London. One notable figure from this period was Sir John Mile (1620-1685), a wealthy landowner and philanthropist from Buckinghamshire.
As the centuries progressed, the surname MILE spread beyond England and into other parts of the British Isles, as well as to various British colonies around the world. Despite its relatively uncommon nature, the surname MILE has been carried by individuals from diverse backgrounds and professions, contributing to the rich tapestry of history and culture.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Mile surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.
Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Middlesex leads with 18 Miles recorded in 1881 and an index of 1.96x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Middlesex | 18 | 1.96x |
| Denbighshire | 16 | 46.20x |
| Hampshire | 10 | 5.32x |
| Surrey | 10 | 2.24x |
| Warwickshire | 9 | 3.89x |
| Somerset | 7 | 4.74x |
| Kent | 5 | 1.60x |
| Sussex | 5 | 3.24x |
| Hertfordshire | 4 | 6.33x |
| Staffordshire | 3 | 0.97x |
| Yorkshire | 2 | 0.22x |
| Berkshire | 1 | 1.45x |
| Derbyshire | 1 | 0.70x |
| Monmouthshire | 1 | 1.51x |
| Nairnshire | 1 | 35.71x |
| Shropshire | 1 | 1.26x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Ruabon in Denbighshire leads with 16 Miles recorded in 1881 and an index of 336.13x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Ruabon | 16 | 336.13x |
| Bedminster | 7 | 50.47x |
| Birmingham | 7 | 9.09x |
| Chelsea London | 6 | 21.72x |
| Portsea | 6 | 16.29x |
| Lambeth | 5 | 6.26x |
| St Giles Cripplegate | 5 | 409.84x |
| Aldershot | 4 | 63.59x |
| Brighton | 4 | 12.83x |
| Watford | 4 | 81.63x |
| Camberwell | 2 | 3.42x |
| Epsom | 2 | 91.74x |
| Tonbridge | 2 | 17.73x |
| Wolverhampton | 2 | 8.41x |
| Aston | 1 | 1.57x |
| Brierley | 1 | 666.67x |
| Eastbourne | 1 | 14.06x |
| Edgbaston | 1 | 13.95x |
| Hammersmith London | 1 | 4.43x |
| Heanor | 1 | 46.51x |
| Islington London | 1 | 1.13x |
| Kensington London | 1 | 1.96x |
| Kidbrooke | 1 | 555.56x |
| N Lydbury | 1 | 322.58x |
| Nairn | 1 | 58.82x |
| New Windsor | 1 | 43.29x |
| Penge | 1 | 17.06x |
| Shoreditch London | 1 | 2.52x |
| St George Hanover | 1 | 8.35x |
| St Woollos | 1 | 13.51x |
| Sutton | 1 | 96.15x |
| Upper Arley | 1 | 434.78x |
| Westminster St James | 1 | 10.62x |
| Whitechapel London | 1 | 11.06x |
| Whitstable | 1 | 65.36x |
| Woolwich | 1 | 8.65x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Mile surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
These are the male first names most often recorded with the Mile surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
Occupational titles are kept as recorded and later transcribed, so related jobs, spelling variants and mistakes stay separate. Scholar was the census term for a child in education. That means the other rows often tell you more about adult work in Mile households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| Scholar | 13 |
| Coal Miner | 5 |
| Dressmaker | 3 |
| General Servant | 3 |
| Housemaid | 3 |
| Servant | 3 |
| Annuitant | 2 |
| Carman | 2 |
| Domestic Servant | 2 |
| Inft | 2 |
| Staymaker | 2 |
| Umbrella Maker | 2 |
| Asst At Minl Facty | 1 |
| Bootmaker | 1 |
| Bricklayer | 1 |
| Bricklayers Wife | 1 |
| Carpenter | 1 |
| Charwoman | 1 |
| Coal Miner Wife | 1 |
| Cook (Dom Serv) | 1 |
| Dockyard Lab | 1 |
| Dom Servt | 1 |
| Domestic (General Servant) | 1 |
| Framework Knitter | 1 |
| Housekeeper (Dom) | 1 |
| Housemaid Dom | 1 |
| Independent | 1 |
| Labourer | 1 |
| Labourer Colliery | 1 |
| Metal Polisher (White) | 1 |
| Nurse | 1 |
| Nursemaid | 1 |
| Oil Miller | 1 |
| Photographer | 1 |
| Potter | 1 |
| Railway Guard | 1 |
| Railway Inspector | 1 |
| Railway Ticket Collector | 1 |
| Shop Boy | 1 |
| Shop Girl | 1 |
| Silversmith | 1 |
| Sugar Baker (Refiner) | 1 |
| Thrashing Machine Labr | 1 |
| Thrashing Machine Labr Wife | 1 |
| Visitor | 1 |
| Wife | 1 |
| Working Coal Pit Bank | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 93 people were recorded with the Mile surname. That placed it at #20,593 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 44 in 2016. That gives Mile a modern rank of #35,224.
A surname derived from the Latin word "miles" meaning soldier or knight.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Mile bearers relative to the surrounding population.
The historical counts come from census surname records. The modern counts and neighbourhood summaries come from later surname distribution records. Counts are recorded bearers in those records, not a live estimate of everyone with the name today.