UK surname
A surname derived from the Old French word for a thousand, possibly originally for someone living near a milestone.
In the 1881 census there were 121 people recorded with the Milles surname, ranking it #17,671 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 34, ranked #35,768, down from #17,671 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to London parishes, St Pancras and Lambeth. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Milles is 645 in 1891. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 71.9%.
1881 census count
121
Ranked #17,671
Modern count
34
2016, ranked #35,768
Peak year
1891
645 bearers
Map years
6
1851 to 1911
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Milles surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Milles surname density by area, 1881 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 | 300 | #7,650 |
| 1861 | historical | 606 | #4,376 |
| 1881 | historical | 121 | #17,671 |
| 1891 | historical | 645 | #6,016 |
| 1901 | historical | 173 | #16,579 |
| 1911 | historical | 172 | #16,408 |
| 1997 | modern | 32 | #34,472 |
| 1998 | modern | 36 | #34,246 |
| 1999 | modern | 43 | #33,683 |
| 2000 | modern | 35 | #34,420 |
| 2001 | modern | 27 | #35,041 |
| 2002 | modern | 26 | #35,338 |
| 2003 | modern | 27 | #35,279 |
| 2004 | modern | 33 | #34,947 |
| 2005 | modern | 30 | #35,347 |
| 2006 | modern | 36 | #35,131 |
| 2007 | modern | 35 | #35,347 |
| 2008 | modern | 35 | #35,441 |
| 2009 | modern | 35 | #35,545 |
| 2010 | modern | 40 | #35,403 |
| 2011 | modern | 34 | #35,705 |
| 2012 | modern | 33 | #35,767 |
| 2013 | modern | 44 | #35,222 |
| 2014 | modern | 41 | #35,396 |
| 2015 | modern | 38 | #35,526 |
| 2016 | modern | 34 | #35,768 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around London parishes, St Pancras, Lambeth, Portsmouth, Portsea and St Marylebone. 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 | London parishes | London 3 |
| 2 | St Pancras | London (North Districts) |
| 3 | Lambeth | London (South Districts) |
| 4 | Portsmouth, Portsea | Hampshire |
| 5 | St Marylebone | London (North Districts) |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Milles 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 Milles, 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 Milles surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Milles 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, Milles 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 Milles is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Milles, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Milles has its origins in France, tracing back to the 11th century. It is believed to be derived from the Old French word "mille," meaning a thousand or a mile, likely referring to a place name or a measurement of distance. The name may have originated from a locality or a geographical feature, such as a hill or a landmark situated a mile away from a specific reference point.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Domesday Book, a comprehensive survey of landholdings in England commissioned by William the Conqueror in 1086. The entry mentions a person named "Milun" holding lands in Oxfordshire, which could be an early variant of the surname Milles.
During the Middle Ages, the name appeared in various forms, such as Millez, Milleys, and Milles. These variations reflect the inconsistencies in spelling and record-keeping practices of the time. The name was particularly prominent in regions like Normandy and Brittany, where it was associated with noble families and landowners.
Notable individuals with the surname Milles include:
1. Thomas Milles (c. 1550-1627), an English clergyman and scholar who served as the President of Corpus Christi College, Oxford. 2. Jeremiah Milles (1590-1684), an English churchman and theologian who served as the Dean of Exeter Cathedral. 3. Isaac Milles (1638-1720), an English clergyman and antiquarian who contributed to the study of ancient manuscripts and inscriptions. 4. Philippe Milles (c. 1300-1370), a French knight and military commander who fought in the Hundred Years' War. 5. Jean Milles (1714-1784), a French painter and engraver known for his landscape and portrait works.
The surname Milles was also associated with various place names and locations throughout history. For example, the village of Milles in Provence, France, derives its name from the Latin word "millia" meaning a thousand, possibly referring to a distance measurement. Similarly, the town of Millau in southern France bears a resemblance to the surname, although the exact connection is unclear.
Over time, the surname Milles has spread across different regions and countries, with variations in spelling and pronunciation arising due to local dialects and linguistic influences. However, its origins can be traced back to the French regions where it first emerged as a prominent surname during the medieval period.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Milles 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 22 Milles' recorded in 1881 and an index of 1.85x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Middlesex | 22 | 1.85x |
| Kent | 16 | 3.94x |
| Lancashire | 15 | 1.06x |
| Surrey | 14 | 2.41x |
| Yorkshire | 9 | 0.76x |
| Monmouthshire | 7 | 8.14x |
| Wiltshire | 6 | 5.70x |
| Durham | 5 | 1.41x |
| Worcestershire | 5 | 3.22x |
| Gloucestershire | 3 | 1.29x |
| Hampshire | 3 | 1.23x |
| Hertfordshire | 3 | 3.66x |
| Shropshire | 2 | 1.95x |
| Bedfordshire | 1 | 1.62x |
| Berkshire | 1 | 1.12x |
| Channel Islands | 1 | 2.84x |
| Denbighshire | 1 | 2.22x |
| Derbyshire | 1 | 0.54x |
| Glamorgan | 1 | 0.48x |
| Huntingdonshire | 1 | 4.23x |
| Morayshire | 1 | 5.41x |
| Northamptonshire | 1 | 0.89x |
| Somerset | 1 | 0.52x |
| Stirlingshire | 1 | 2.28x |
| Warwickshire | 1 | 0.33x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Hackney London in Middlesex leads with 6 Milles' recorded in 1881 and an index of 8.99x.
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Milles 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 Milles surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
| Name | Count |
|---|---|
| George | 7 |
| John | 7 |
| William | 6 |
| Charles | 3 |
| James | 3 |
| Joseph | 3 |
| Thomas | 3 |
| Alexander | 2 |
| Ernest | 2 |
| Adam | 1 |
| Adolph | 1 |
| Alfred | 1 |
| Charley | 1 |
| Chas. | 1 |
| E. | 1 |
| Edward | 1 |
| Frank | 1 |
| Fredk. | 1 |
| Geo. | 1 |
| Harry | 1 |
| Henry | 1 |
| Isaac | 1 |
| Jabez | 1 |
| Jas. | 1 |
| Leonard | 1 |
| Noah | 1 |
| Reuben | 1 |
| Richard | 1 |
| Robert | 1 |
| Rolland | 1 |
| Samuel | 1 |
| Simeon | 1 |
| Sydney | 1 |
| Vincezo | 1 |
| Willm.John | 1 |
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 Milles households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| Scholar | 15 |
| Coal Miner | 3 |
| General Labourer | 3 |
| Dressmaker | 2 |
| Hawker | 2 |
| Laundress | 2 |
| No Occupation | 2 |
| Schoolar | 2 |
| Servant | 2 |
| Book Keeper | 1 |
| Boot Carver | 1 |
| Brass Finisher | 1 |
| Bread Baker | 1 |
| Builder Apprentice | 1 |
| Chip Hawker | 1 |
| Cloth Finisher | 1 |
| Coal Miner Wife | 1 |
| Cook | 1 |
| Cotton Salesman Broker | 1 |
| Dom Serv | 1 |
| Dom Servt | 1 |
| Domestic | 1 |
| Domestic Servant | 1 |
| Donkeyman | 1 |
| Dress Maker | 1 |
| Flour Miller | 1 |
| Footman | 1 |
| Footman Domestic Serv | 1 |
| Foreman Plumber | 1 |
| French Governess (Profr) | 1 |
| Gardener Domestic | 1 |
| Gardeners Wife | 1 |
| Gas Collector | 1 |
| General Servant Domestic | 1 |
| Genrl Labr | 1 |
| Greengrocer | 1 |
| Grocers Assistant | 1 |
| Groom (Dom) | 1 |
| Honble Scholar | 1 |
| Housemaid | 1 |
| Income From Dividends | 1 |
| Law Clerk | 1 |
| Lessee Of Fisheries No Occ | 1 |
| Mate | 1 |
| Nursemaid | 1 |
| Plumbers Labourer | 1 |
| Printer | 1 |
| Pupil Teacher | 1 |
| Railway Laborer | 1 |
| Rector Of Hindon | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 121 people were recorded with the Milles surname. That placed it at #17,671 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 34 in 2016. That gives Milles a modern rank of #35,768.
A surname derived from the Old French word for a thousand, possibly originally for someone living near a milestone.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Milles 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.