UK surname
An old English surname derived from the word for milk, likely referring to a dairy worker or seller.
In the 1881 census there were 84 people recorded with the Milk surname, ranking it #21,690 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 44, ranked #35,224, down from #21,690 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Rochdale, Weston and Hockering. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Milk is 108 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 47.6%.
1881 census count
84
Ranked #21,690
Modern count
44
2016, ranked #35,224
Peak year
1911
108 bearers
Map years
1
1911 to 1911
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Milk surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Milk 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 | 70 | #21,020 |
| 1861 | historical | 89 | #22,419 |
| 1881 | historical | 84 | #21,690 |
| 1891 | historical | 98 | #24,313 |
| 1901 | historical | 79 | #25,363 |
| 1911 | historical | 108 | #21,736 |
| 1997 | modern | 40 | #33,666 |
| 1998 | modern | 39 | #33,967 |
| 1999 | modern | 38 | #34,142 |
| 2000 | modern | 42 | #33,791 |
| 2001 | modern | 39 | #33,923 |
| 2002 | modern | 39 | #34,219 |
| 2003 | modern | 36 | #34,522 |
| 2004 | modern | 34 | #34,868 |
| 2005 | modern | 30 | #35,347 |
| 2006 | modern | 34 | #35,255 |
| 2007 | modern | 34 | #35,410 |
| 2008 | modern | 34 | #35,502 |
| 2009 | modern | 39 | #35,321 |
| 2010 | modern | 45 | #35,130 |
| 2011 | modern | 45 | #35,112 |
| 2012 | modern | 41 | #35,328 |
| 2013 | modern | 43 | #35,271 |
| 2014 | modern | 43 | #35,293 |
| 2015 | modern | 46 | #35,109 |
| 2016 | modern | 44 | #35,224 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Rochdale, Weston, Hockering, Burgh, South and Scoulton. 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 | Rochdale | Lancashire |
| 2 | Weston | Norfolk |
| 3 | Hockering | Norfolk |
| 4 | Burgh, South | Norfolk |
| 5 | Scoulton | Norfolk |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Milk 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 Milk, 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 Milk surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Milk 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, Milk 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 Milk is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Milk, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname MILK is an English name with origins dating back to the medieval era. It is believed to have derived from the Old English word "milc," meaning milk. This word likely referred to someone who worked as a milkman or had a profession related to the dairy industry.
In the 13th century, the name appeared in various records and manuscripts, including the Hundred Rolls of 1273, where it was spelled as "Milke." The earliest recorded instance of the name was found in the Pipe Rolls of Gloucestershire from 1201, mentioning a person named William Milke.
During the 14th century, the MILK surname was also found in various tax records and court rolls across England. One notable example is from the Court Rolls of the Manor of Wakefield in Yorkshire, which mentioned a John Milke in 1348.
The name MILK was sometimes associated with certain place names, such as Milkhurst in Sussex, which may have derived from the Old English words "milc" and "hyrst" (meaning a wooded hill). This suggests that some MILK families may have originated from or resided in areas with similar place names.
Throughout history, there have been several notable individuals with the surname MILK. One of the earliest was John Milk (c. 1510-1585), an English clergyman and theologian who served as the Bishop of Carlisle from 1580 until his death.
Another prominent figure was Richard Milk (1645-1712), an English merchant and politician who served as the Mayor of London from 1689 to 1690. He was also a Member of Parliament for the City of London from 1698 to 1700.
In the 19th century, Benjamin Milk (1822-1892) was an English architect known for designing several churches and public buildings in London and the surrounding areas.
James Milk (1857-1934) was a Scottish footballer who played as a forward for various clubs, including Rangers and Everton, in the late 19th century.
Finally, Harvey Milk (1930-1978) was an American politician and activist who became one of the first openly gay elected officials in the United States when he was elected to the San Francisco Board of Supervisors in 1977. He was tragically assassinated the following year, but his legacy as a champion of LGBTQ+ rights continues to inspire many.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Milk 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. Norfolk leads with 69 Milks recorded in 1881 and an index of 54.78x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Norfolk | 69 | 54.78x |
| Middlesex | 6 | 0.73x |
| Lancashire | 3 | 0.31x |
| Northumberland | 3 | 2.46x |
| Fife | 2 | 4.12x |
| Argyllshire | 1 | 4.39x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Hockering in Norfolk leads with 13 Milks recorded in 1881 and an index of 13000.00x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Hockering | 13 | 13000.00x |
| Southburgh | 8 | 8888.89x |
| East Dereham | 7 | 440.25x |
| Scoulton | 6 | 6666.67x |
| Welborne | 5 | 10000.00x |
| Beeston With Bittering | 4 | 2857.14x |
| Castleton | 3 | 30.90x |
| Cranworth | 3 | 4285.71x |
| East Carleton | 3 | 3333.33x |
| Hammersmith London | 3 | 14.87x |
| Westfield | 3 | 10000.00x |
| Westgate | 3 | 39.74x |
| Bromley London | 2 | 11.10x |
| Great Witchingham | 2 | 1250.00x |
| Holme Hale | 2 | 1666.67x |
| Letton | 2 | 6666.67x |
| Mileham | 2 | 1428.57x |
| Shipdham | 2 | 465.12x |
| Upwell | 2 | 338.98x |
| Barford | 1 | 1111.11x |
| Cameron | 1 | 357.14x |
| Ceres | 1 | 172.41x |
| Hingham | 1 | 227.27x |
| Islington London | 1 | 1.26x |
| Kilfinan | 1 | 163.93x |
| Norwich St George Colegate | 1 | 217.39x |
| Norwich St Peter | 1 | 120.48x |
| Weston Longville | 1 | 833.33x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Milk 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 Milk 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 Milk households.
FAQ
In 1881, 84 people were recorded with the Milk surname. That placed it at #21,690 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 44 in 2016. That gives Milk a modern rank of #35,224.
An old English surname derived from the word for milk, likely referring to a dairy worker or seller.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Milk 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.