NameCensus.

UK surname

Miles

An occupational surname referring to a soldier or one who serves in the military.

In the 1881 census there were 17,637 people recorded with the Miles surname, ranking it #216 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 23,203, ranked #253, down from #216 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Ystradyfodwg (incl. Rhigos), Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff and London parishes. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Pembrokeshire, North Dorset and Herefordshire.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Miles is 24,432 in 1999. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 31.6%.

1881 census count

17,637

Ranked #216

Modern count

23,203

2016, ranked #253

Peak year

1999

24,432 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Miles had 17,637 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #216 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 23,203 in 2016, ranked #253.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 23,849 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Miles surname distribution map

The map shows where the Miles surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.

Distribution map

Miles surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Miles over time

The 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 11,779 #210
1861 historical 11,632 #209
1881 historical 17,637 #216
1891 historical 18,065 #216
1901 historical 21,316 #221
1911 historical 23,849 #181
1997 modern 23,266 #243
1998 modern 24,259 #242
1999 modern 24,432 #242
2000 modern 24,215 #245
2001 modern 23,646 #244
2002 modern 24,073 #244
2003 modern 23,413 #244
2004 modern 23,405 #245
2005 modern 22,773 #246
2006 modern 22,701 #248
2007 modern 22,701 #249
2008 modern 22,809 #250
2009 modern 23,355 #251
2010 modern 23,837 #252
2011 modern 23,452 #252
2012 modern 23,059 #252
2013 modern 23,474 #253
2014 modern 23,625 #253
2015 modern 23,363 #253
2016 modern 23,203 #253

Geography

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Where Miles' are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Ystradyfodwg (incl. Rhigos), Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff, London parishes and St Pancras. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Pembrokeshire, North Dorset, Herefordshire, Amber Valley and Swale. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.

Some modern areas include a three-digit suffix, such as Leeds 110. The suffix is a small-area code, so it stays in the table while the prose uses the plain place name.

Top historical parishes

Rank Parish Area
1 Ystradyfodwg (incl. Rhigos) Glamorganshire
2 Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff Gloucestershire
3 London parishes London 1
4 London parishes London 3
5 St Pancras London (North Districts)

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Pembrokeshire 002 Pembrokeshire
2 North Dorset 007 North Dorset
3 Herefordshire 023 Herefordshire, County of
4 Amber Valley 003 Amber Valley
5 Swale 015 Swale

Forenames

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First names often paired with Miles

These lists show first names that appear often with the Miles surname in historical and recent records.

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Miles

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Miles, 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

UK Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities

Group

Rural Amenity

Nationally, the Miles surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Rural Amenity, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Miles household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

This Group comprises older parents or retirees, with no resident dependent children, and with the lowest residential densities in this Supergroup. Predominantly UK-born, residents typically live in detached houses, although others do live in semi-detached and terraced properties. The level of multiple car ownership is the highest in this Supergroup. Most houses are owner occupied although social renting is also present. Many concentrations occur in high amenity rural locations, such as Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Wider pattern

Pervasive throughout the UK, members of this Supergroup typically own (or are buying) their detached, semi-detached or terraced homes. They are also typically educated to A Level/Highers or degree level and work in skilled or professional occupations. Typically born in the UK, some families have children, although the median adult age is above 45 and some property has become under-occupied after children have left home. This Supergroup is pervasive not only in suburban locations, but also in neighbourhoods at or beyond the edge of cities that adjoin rural parts of the country.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

The Greater London Mix

Group

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Miles is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers, part of The Greater London Mix. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Mainly located in Inner London, these neighbourhoods retain a diverse employment structure, with some concentration in associated professional and technical occupations rather than skilled trades or construction. Social renting is more common and levels of homeownership are low. Many residents identify as Black. There is a lower than average rate of marriage or civil partnership, few that are very old (85 or over) and higher than average incidence of disability.

Wider London pattern

A Supergroup embodying London's diversity in many respects, apart from low numbers of residents identifying as of Bangladeshi, Indian, Pakistani or Other (non-Chinese) Asian ethnicity. There is lower than average prevalence of families with dependent children, while there are above average occurrences of never-married individuals and single-person households. The age distribution is skewed towards younger, single residents and couples without children, with many individuals identifying as of mixed or multiple ethnicity. Social rented or private rented housing is slightly more prevalent than average, and many residents live in flats. Individuals typically work in professional and associated roles in public administration, education or health rather than in elementary occupations in agriculture, energy, water, construction or manufacturing. Incidence of students is slightly below average. Individuals declaring no religion are more prevalent than average and non-use of English at home is below average.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Miles is most concentrated in decile 5 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname near the middle of the scale.

Lower deciles point towards weaker access to healthy assets or stronger exposure to local hazards. Higher deciles point towards stronger access and fewer hazards.

5
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Miles falls in decile 7 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname near the middle of the scale.

Decile 1 represents the more deprived end of the scale. Decile 10 represents the less deprived end.

7
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Miles is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 30-40 mbit/s.

The scale below places that band in context, from slower local download bands through to faster ones.

6
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

This describes the area pattern most associated with Miles, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Miles

The surname MILES originated in England and can be traced back to the 13th century. It is an occupational name, derived from the Old English word 'mild' or 'milde', meaning 'gentle' or 'merciful'. This name was likely given to someone with a mild or gentle disposition or personality.

The earliest known record of the surname MILES is found in the Hundred Rolls of Cambridgeshire from 1273, which mentions a William Miles. The name also appears in the Subsidy Rolls of Sussex from 1296, where a John Miles is listed.

In the 14th century, the surname MILES can be found in various records, including the Lay Subsidy Rolls of Worcestershire from 1327, which mentions a Walter Miles. The name is also recorded in the Subsidy Rolls of Staffordshire from 1332, where a Richard Miles is listed.

One of the earliest known bearers of the surname MILES was Sir Henry Miles, a member of the English Parliament who lived during the 14th century. He was elected as a Member of Parliament for Somerset in 1348.

Another notable figure with the surname MILES was John Miles, a wealthy merchant and shipowner from Bristol, England, who lived in the late 15th century. He was known for his involvement in the English wool trade and for financing voyages of exploration.

In the 16th century, the surname MILES can be found in various historical records, including the Muster Rolls of Middlesex from 1539, which mentions a Thomas Miles. The name is also recorded in the Feet of Fines of Essex from 1558, where a John Miles is listed.

One of the most famous bearers of the surname MILES was Philip Miles, an English soldier and explorer who lived in the late 16th and early 17th centuries. He was known for his participation in the English colonization of Virginia and for his exploration of the Chesapeake Bay region.

Another notable figure with the surname MILES was Josiah Miles, a prominent Quaker minister and abolitionist who lived in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. He was born in 1772 in Pennsylvania and was active in the anti-slavery movement, advocating for the rights of enslaved people.

In the 19th century, the surname MILES can be found in various historical records, including the Census of England and Wales from 1841, which lists numerous individuals with this surname.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Miles families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Miles surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.

Top counties

Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Middlesex leads with 2,163 Miles' recorded in 1881 and an index of 1.25x.

County Total Index
Middlesex 2,163 1.25x
Kent 1,410 2.40x
Surrey 1,388 1.65x
Sussex 1,171 4.03x
Gloucestershire 903 2.67x
Glamorgan 826 2.75x
Hampshire 815 2.31x
Wiltshire 793 5.20x
Warwickshire 546 1.26x
Lancashire 519 0.25x
Somerset 519 1.87x
Yorkshire 498 0.29x
Monmouthshire 455 3.65x
Oxfordshire 373 3.50x
Dorset 366 3.24x
Berkshire 365 2.82x
Worcestershire 333 1.48x
Staffordshire 325 0.56x
Norfolk 296 1.12x
Hertfordshire 295 2.48x
Leicestershire 266 1.39x
Essex 265 0.78x
Buckinghamshire 250 2.40x
Suffolk 245 1.17x
Shropshire 197 1.32x
Herefordshire 191 2.70x
Northamptonshire 177 1.09x
Devon 169 0.47x
Nottinghamshire 134 0.58x
Derbyshire 112 0.42x
Pembrokeshire 111 2.03x
Durham 107 0.21x
Cheshire 97 0.25x
Lincolnshire 84 0.30x
Lanarkshire 75 0.13x
Brecknockshire 72 2.09x
Northumberland 63 0.25x
Cornwall 53 0.27x
Cardiganshire 50 1.19x
Bedfordshire 49 0.55x
Carmarthenshire 49 0.67x
Midlothian 44 0.19x
Fife 35 0.34x
Montgomeryshire 35 0.89x
Cumberland 34 0.23x
Roxburghshire 32 1.02x
Cambridgeshire 31 0.28x
Radnorshire 29 2.09x
Denbighshire 24 0.37x
Merionethshire 24 0.76x
Royal Navy 23 1.12x
Huntingdonshire 22 0.64x
Channel Islands 21 0.41x
Renfrewshire 17 0.13x
Stirlingshire 16 0.25x
Wigtownshire 16 0.70x
Westmorland 13 0.34x
Rutland 11 0.87x
Angus 10 0.06x
Caernarfonshire 10 0.14x
Anglesey 7 0.23x
Perthshire 7 0.09x
West Lothian 6 0.23x
Flintshire 4 0.09x
Argyllshire 3 0.06x
Ayrshire 3 0.02x
Inverness-shire 3 0.06x
Kirkcudbrightshire 3 0.12x
Ross-shire 3 0.06x
Dumfriesshire 2 0.05x
East Lothian 2 0.09x
Aberdeenshire 1 0.01x
Clackmannanshire 1 0.07x
Dunbartonshire 1 0.02x
Kincardineshire 1 0.05x
Morayshire 1 0.04x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Islington London in Middlesex leads with 240 Miles' recorded in 1881 and an index of 1.44x.

Place Total Index
Islington London 240 1.44x
St Pancras London 209 1.51x
Brighton 204 3.48x
Lambeth 179 1.19x
Shoreditch London 151 2.02x
Camberwell 147 1.34x
Aston 143 1.19x
Portsea 131 1.89x
Kensington London 112 1.17x
Birmingham 108 0.75x
Ystradyfodwg 100 3.80x
Battersea 93 1.47x
St Marylebone London 92 1.00x
Paddington London 90 1.42x
Deptford St Paul 85 1.87x
Hackney London 85 0.88x
Mile End Old Town 84 3.09x
West Ham 82 1.09x
Margate St John Baptist 78 7.24x
Bristol St Philip Jacob 76 2.39x
St George Hanover 76 3.38x
Leicester St Margaret 75 1.61x
Newington 75 1.18x
Bermondsey 72 1.40x
Chelsea London 67 1.29x
East Grinstead 63 15.31x
Milton Under Wychwood 60 121.63x
Witney 60 33.71x
Croydon 59 1.27x
Minster In Sheppey 58 5.95x
Reigate Foreign 58 6.38x
Trevethin 58 4.93x
Hartfield 57 62.00x
Walcot 57 3.86x
Bristol St George 56 3.58x
Eastington 56 50.03x
Bedwellty 55 2.50x
Rickmansworth 55 16.81x
Bethnal Green London 54 0.72x
Westbury On Trym 54 4.71x
Cardiff St John 53 5.41x
Hampstead London 53 1.97x
Hove 53 4.16x
Aberdare 52 2.52x
Wolverhampton 51 1.14x
Claines 49 7.93x
Clerkenwell London 49 1.20x
Motcombe 49 58.86x
Stone 49 60.58x
Kingston On Thames 47 2.33x
Roath 47 3.45x
Tonbridge 47 2.22x
Reading St Giles 46 3.62x
Coventry St Michael 45 3.22x
Liverpool 45 0.36x
Merthyr Tydfil 45 1.56x
St Woollos 44 3.16x
Swansea Town 44 1.79x
Newland 43 15.14x
Plumstead 43 2.19x
Crayford 42 16.35x
Heyshott 42 158.91x
Kingsclere 42 26.03x
Southwark St George Martyr 42 1.21x
Coventry Holy Trinity 40 3.08x
Gillingham 40 20.58x
Greenwich 39 1.42x
Hornsey 39 1.79x
Keymer 39 19.00x
Aberystruth 38 3.46x
Watford 38 4.13x
Bromley London 37 0.98x
Llantrisant 37 4.89x
St Andrew Holborn 36 6.16x
Stoke Damerel 36 1.43x
Petworth 34 19.59x
Portslade 34 19.14x
Southampton St Mary 34 1.53x
Speldhurst 34 11.35x
Standlake 34 81.40x

Top female names

These are the female first names most often recorded with the Miles surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.

Name Count
Mary 1,083
Elizabeth 639
Sarah 612
Eliza 309
Ann 295
Emma 290
Jane 288
Emily 273
Alice 257
Annie 253
Ellen 248
Martha 151
Hannah 149
Harriet 147
Louisa 134
Fanny 132
Edith 128
Margaret 122
Caroline 106
Charlotte 105
Maria 100
Florence 99
Ada 97
Kate 94
Catherine 90
Lucy 82
Susan 79
Clara 75
Anne 71
Harriett 62
Amelia 60
Agnes 56
Rose 54
Frances 53
Esther 50
Matilda 50
Julia 48
Minnie 46
Amy 42
Lydia 39
Rachel 35
Susannah 35
Sophia 33
Eleanor 31
Rebecca 30
Elizth. 29
Gertrude 29
Beatrice 28
Ethel 28
Selina 28

Top male names

These are the male first names most often recorded with the Miles surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.

Name Count
William 1,120
John 869
George 637
Thomas 604
James 529
Henry 464
Charles 427
Alfred 220
Frederick 211
Edward 206
Joseph 189
Arthur 181
Richard 154
Robert 147
Albert 136
David 125
Walter 115
Frank 110
Samuel 110
Harry 96
Edwin 90
Ernest 81
Herbert 51
Wm. 50
Benjamin 43
Daniel 40
Stephen 40
Francis 39
Fred 34
Thos. 34
Jesse 31
Tom 29
Isaac 28
Percy 28
Edmund 26
Fredrick 25
Mark 23
Sidney 22
Geo. 21
Sydney 19
Jonathan 18
Leonard 18
Michael 18
Evan 17
Morgan 16
Philip 15
Andrew 14
Lewis 14
Edgar 13
Job 13

Top occupations

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 Miles households.

FAQ

Miles surname: questions and answers

How common was the Miles surname in 1881?

In 1881, 17,637 people were recorded with the Miles surname. That placed it at #216 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Miles surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 23,203 in 2016. That gives Miles a modern rank of #253.

What does the Miles surname mean?

An occupational surname referring to a soldier or one who serves in the military.

What does the Miles map show?

The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Miles bearers relative to the surrounding population.

What records is this surname page based on?

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.