NameCensus.

UK surname

Millett

Derived from a place name meaning "mill head" in Old English, referring to someone who lived near a mill.

In the 1881 census there were 1,192 people recorded with the Millett surname, ranking it #3,380 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 1,541, ranked #4,013, down from #3,380 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff, London parishes and Manchester. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Taunton Deane, Kensington and Chelsea and Liverpool.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Millett is 1,730 in 1998. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 29.3%.

1881 census count

1,192

Ranked #3,380

Modern count

1,541

2016, ranked #4,013

Peak year

1998

1,730 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Millett had 1,192 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #3,380 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 1,541 in 2016, ranked #4,013.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 1,546 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Millett surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Millett surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Millett 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 796 #3,353
1861 historical 692 #3,902
1881 historical 1,192 #3,380
1891 historical 1,255 #3,438
1901 historical 1,336 #3,746
1911 historical 1,546 #3,134
1997 modern 1,678 #3,550
1998 modern 1,730 #3,580
1999 modern 1,729 #3,605
2000 modern 1,683 #3,671
2001 modern 1,623 #3,727
2002 modern 1,665 #3,704
2003 modern 1,603 #3,758
2004 modern 1,589 #3,806
2005 modern 1,555 #3,833
2006 modern 1,537 #3,870
2007 modern 1,524 #3,935
2008 modern 1,515 #3,993
2009 modern 1,548 #3,999
2010 modern 1,569 #4,028
2011 modern 1,566 #3,989
2012 modern 1,548 #3,967
2013 modern 1,571 #3,977
2014 modern 1,578 #3,985
2015 modern 1,569 #3,963
2016 modern 1,541 #4,013

Geography

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Where Milletts are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff, London parishes, Manchester, Pontefract and Walsall. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Taunton Deane, Kensington and Chelsea, Liverpool and Salford. 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 Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff Gloucestershire
2 London parishes London 3
3 Manchester Lancashire
4 Pontefract Yorkshire, West Riding
5 Walsall Staffordshire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Taunton Deane 012 Taunton Deane
2 Taunton Deane 013 Taunton Deane
3 Kensington and Chelsea 018 Kensington and Chelsea
4 Liverpool 059 Liverpool
5 Salford 026 Salford

Forenames

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First names often paired with Millett

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Millett

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Millett, 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 Millett surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Rural Amenity, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Millett 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, Millett 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

Millett is most concentrated in decile 10 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the healthier end of the index.

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

10
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Millett falls in decile 9 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the less deprived end of the index.

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

9
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Millett 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 Millett, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Millett

The surname Millett originated in England, with records dating back to the 12th century. It is derived from the Old French word "millet," which refers to the cereal grain. This suggests that the name's earliest bearers may have been involved in the cultivation or trade of millet.

The earliest recorded instance of the name appears in the Pipe Rolls of Gloucestershire in 1195, where it is spelled "Milet." Over time, various spellings emerged, such as Millet, Millett, and Millette, reflecting regional variations in pronunciation.

One of the earliest known bearers of the name was William Millet, who was mentioned in the Hundred Rolls of Cambridgeshire in 1273. Additionally, the Subsidy Rolls of Sussex from 1296 list a John Milet.

The Millett surname has been associated with several place names in England, such as Millett's Farm in Buckinghamshire and Millets Green in Hertfordshire. These place names likely derived from the surname itself, indicating the presence of Millett families in those areas.

Several notable individuals have borne the Millett surname throughout history. One of the earliest was Sir Thomas Millett (c. 1550-1589), an English merchant and Member of Parliament for Southwark. Another was Francis Millett (1646-1708), an English clergyman and writer who authored several theological works.

In the 18th century, Thomas Millett (1720-1784) was a prominent English architect responsible for designing several churches and public buildings in London. Later, Roger Millett (1792-1867) served as a British Army officer and was involved in the Napoleonic Wars.

Moving into the 19th century, James Millett (1844-1927) was a renowned Australian pastoralist and politician who played a significant role in the early development of the cattle industry in Queensland.

As the surname spread across different regions, various branches of the Millett family emerged, each with their own unique histories and contributions to their respective communities.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Millett families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Millett 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 164 Milletts recorded in 1881 and an index of 1.41x.

County Total Index
Middlesex 164 1.41x
Lancashire 148 1.08x
Cornwall 125 9.52x
Somerset 101 5.41x
Cheshire 88 3.44x
Surrey 70 1.24x
Yorkshire 61 0.53x
Hampshire 59 2.48x
Gloucestershire 41 1.80x
Norfolk 39 2.19x
Staffordshire 38 0.97x
Warwickshire 30 1.03x
Durham 23 0.67x
Kent 21 0.53x
Nottinghamshire 20 1.28x
Essex 18 0.79x
Monmouthshire 17 2.03x
Glamorgan 16 0.79x
Derbyshire 14 0.77x
Leicestershire 13 1.01x
Oxfordshire 13 1.82x
Devon 12 0.50x
Lincolnshire 8 0.43x
Wiltshire 7 0.68x
Flintshire 6 1.92x
Suffolk 6 0.42x
Berkshire 5 0.57x
Royal Navy 5 3.62x
Sussex 5 0.26x
Shropshire 3 0.30x
Dorset 2 0.26x
Herefordshire 2 0.42x
Isle of Man 2 0.93x
Channel Islands 1 0.29x
Lanarkshire 1 0.03x
Midlothian 1 0.06x
Northamptonshire 1 0.09x
Northumberland 1 0.06x
Perthshire 1 0.19x
Worcestershire 1 0.07x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Pontefract in Yorkshire leads with 35 Milletts recorded in 1881 and an index of 141.36x.

Place Total Index
Pontefract 35 141.36x
Portsea 31 6.65x
Lambeth 27 2.67x
St Marylebone London 25 4.04x
Kensington London 22 3.41x
Birmingham 20 2.05x
Perranarworthal 19 432.80x
Wiveliscombe 19 182.52x
Ashton On Mersey 17 128.40x
Liverpool 16 1.91x
West Ham 16 3.17x
Falmouth 15 32.27x
St Pancras London 15 1.61x
Lyncombe Widcombe 14 28.64x
Llanover 13 45.39x
Manchester 13 2.10x
Neath 13 31.64x
Norton St Philip 13 640.39x
Walsall Foreign 13 6.43x
Bedminster 12 6.84x
Bromley London 12 4.70x
Bury 12 7.63x
Heap 12 16.44x
Bollin Fee 11 96.92x
Bristol St Philip Jacob 11 5.14x
Islington London 11 0.98x
Walsall Borough 11 36.20x
Whitburn 11 136.82x
Hulme 10 3.48x
Lancaster 10 12.21x
Ludham 10 316.46x
Macclesfield 10 8.79x
Madron 10 94.25x
Uny Lelant 10 140.85x
Harborne 9 7.17x
Hucknall Torkard 9 22.70x
Madron Penzance 9 18.85x
Southwark St Saviour 9 15.10x
Battersea 8 1.87x
Beckington 8 217.39x
Frome 8 17.92x
Hammersmith London 8 2.80x
Mansfield 8 14.79x
Ryde 8 15.66x
St Andrew Holborn 8 20.35x
Sutton In Macclesfield 8 30.11x
Warrington 8 4.90x
Alverstoke 7 8.13x
Bosden 7 89.06x
Bradford 7 2.52x
Budock 7 70.85x
Callington 7 91.50x
Calstock 7 27.18x
Poplar London 7 3.20x
Preston 7 1.90x
Westminster St 7 16.37x
Acton 6 8.82x
Aston 6 0.74x
Betton 6 652.17x
Bishop Norton 6 425.53x
Gorton 6 4.64x
Hawarden 6 24.50x
Millbrook 6 10.02x
Newington 6 1.40x
Oldham 6 1.35x
Stretton In Runcorn 6 379.75x
Windle 6 7.75x
Woodton 6 315.79x
Bristol St James St Paul 5 6.59x
Chelsea London 5 1.43x
Exeter St David 5 24.24x
Frampton Cotterell 5 62.66x
Great Bolton 5 2.74x
Gulval 5 59.17x
Hemington 5 331.13x
Holy Trinity 5 1.81x
Litcham 5 156.25x
Trowbridge 5 11.03x
Weston Super Mare 5 10.61x
Wokingham 5 25.16x

Top female names

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

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 65
William 61
James 41
George 37
Thomas 33
Henry 32
Charles 21
Joseph 20
Richard 13
Albert 12
Robert 12
Alfred 11
Walter 11
Arthur 9
Isaac 9
Edward 8
Edwin 6
Harry 6
Michael 6
Samuel 6
Benjamin 5
Francis 5
Frederick 5
Herbert 5
Jacob 5
Geo. 4
Thos. 4
Andrew 3
Anthony 3
Daniel 3
Frank 3
Stephen 3
Abraham 2
David 2
Enoch 2
Fredk. 2
Fredrick 2
Harold 2
Israel 2
Nicholas 2
Percy 2
Peter 2
Sidney 2
Clarence 1
Cornish 1
Ernest 1
Fortescuse 1
Fred 1
Horatio 1
Wm.Stephen 1

FAQ

Millett surname: questions and answers

How common was the Millett surname in 1881?

In 1881, 1,192 people were recorded with the Millett surname. That placed it at #3,380 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Millett surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 1,541 in 2016. That gives Millett a modern rank of #4,013.

What does the Millett surname mean?

Derived from a place name meaning "mill head" in Old English, referring to someone who lived near a mill.

What does the Millett map show?

The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Millett 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.