UK surname
A surname derived from "mille" meaning mill, indicating the family likely worked at or lived near a mill.
In the 1881 census there were 68 people recorded with the Milley surname, ranking it #23,950 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 55, ranked #34,627, down from #23,950 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Weldon, Great, Laxton and Monk Hesledon. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Milley is 166 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 19.1%.
1881 census count
68
Ranked #23,950
Modern count
55
2016, ranked #34,627
Peak year
1861
166 bearers
Map years
2
1861 to 1891
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Milley surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Milley surname density by area, 1891 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 | 95 | #17,707 |
| 1861 | historical | 166 | #14,039 |
| 1881 | historical | 68 | #23,950 |
| 1891 | historical | 147 | #18,592 |
| 1901 | historical | 59 | #27,609 |
| 1911 | historical | 70 | #25,853 |
| 1997 | modern | 41 | #33,552 |
| 1998 | modern | 38 | #34,066 |
| 1999 | modern | 41 | #33,866 |
| 2000 | modern | 38 | #34,146 |
| 2001 | modern | 35 | #34,261 |
| 2002 | modern | 36 | #34,480 |
| 2003 | modern | 41 | #34,113 |
| 2004 | modern | 39 | #34,477 |
| 2005 | modern | 38 | #34,741 |
| 2006 | modern | 39 | #34,932 |
| 2007 | modern | 41 | #34,974 |
| 2008 | modern | 42 | #34,994 |
| 2009 | modern | 52 | #34,544 |
| 2010 | modern | 54 | #34,582 |
| 2011 | modern | 49 | #34,868 |
| 2012 | modern | 51 | #34,756 |
| 2013 | modern | 55 | #34,628 |
| 2014 | modern | 55 | #34,649 |
| 2015 | modern | 52 | #34,775 |
| 2016 | modern | 55 | #34,627 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Weldon, Great, Laxton, Monk Hesledon, London parishes and Govan Combination. 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 | Weldon, Great | Northamptonshire |
| 2 | Laxton | Rutland |
| 3 | Monk Hesledon | Durham |
| 4 | London parishes | London 3 |
| 5 | Govan Combination | Lanark |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Milley 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 Milley, 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 Milley surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Milley 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, Milley 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 Milley is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Milley, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Milley has its origins in England and is believed to have derived from the Old English word "mill," which referred to a mill or grinding house. It is likely that the name was initially an occupational surname given to someone who worked at or lived near a mill.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Milley can be found in the Domesday Book, a comprehensive survey of England commissioned by William the Conqueror in 1086. The name is listed as "Milley" in the county of Somerset.
In the 13th century, the name appeared in various records with different spellings, such as "Millay," "Mille," and "Milleye." These variations were common in the Middle Ages due to the lack of standardized spelling conventions.
One notable individual bearing the name Milley was Sir John Milley, a wealthy landowner and knight who lived in the 14th century. He was granted lands in Shropshire by King Edward III in recognition of his military service.
During the 16th century, the surname Milley was particularly prevalent in the counties of Somerset, Gloucestershire, and Wiltshire. This is likely due to the presence of numerous mills in these areas, which provided employment for many families with the surname.
In the 17th century, a branch of the Milley family settled in the village of Milley, located in the county of Oxfordshire. It is believed that the village's name derived from the surname, rather than the other way around.
Another notable figure with the surname Milley was William Milley, a prominent merchant and shipowner who lived in Bristol during the late 18th century. He played a significant role in the city's trade with the American colonies.
In the 19th century, the Milley surname was found in various parts of England, as well as in parts of Scotland and Ireland, likely due to migration patterns.
One of the most famous individuals with the surname Milley was John Milley, a renowned English painter and illustrator who lived from 1829 to 1904. He is best known for his detailed depictions of rural life and landscapes.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Milley 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. Northamptonshire leads with 13 Milleys recorded in 1881 and an index of 20.53x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Northamptonshire | 13 | 20.53x |
| Huntingdonshire | 9 | 67.37x |
| Middlesex | 9 | 1.34x |
| Durham | 8 | 4.00x |
| Essex | 8 | 6.02x |
| Lancashire | 7 | 0.88x |
| Surrey | 5 | 1.52x |
| Rutland | 4 | 80.97x |
| Midlothian | 2 | 2.22x |
| Kent | 1 | 0.44x |
| Perthshire | 1 | 3.31x |
| Royal Navy | 1 | 12.47x |
| Somerset | 1 | 0.92x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Barking in Essex leads with 8 Milleys recorded in 1881 and an index of 205.66x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Barking | 8 | 205.66x |
| Conington | 7 | 10000.00x |
| Sunderland | 7 | 197.74x |
| Lambeth | 5 | 8.52x |
| Liverpool | 5 | 10.31x |
| St Andrew Holborn | 5 | 219.30x |
| Uppingham | 4 | 677.97x |
| Laxton | 3 | 15000.00x |
| Wakerley | 3 | 6000.00x |
| Broughton In Salford | 2 | 27.40x |
| Great Weldon | 2 | 2857.14x |
| Kettering | 2 | 78.13x |
| Peterborough | 2 | 43.67x |
| Bow London | 1 | 11.67x |
| Deenethorpe | 1 | 2000.00x |
| Edinburgh St Cuthberts | 1 | 2.76x |
| Fletton | 1 | 232.56x |
| Hampstead London | 1 | 9.54x |
| Kinfauns | 1 | 714.29x |
| Mile End Old Town | 1 | 9.42x |
| Paddington London | 1 | 4.04x |
| Royal Navy | 1 | 14.58x |
| South Leith | 1 | 9.85x |
| Stranton | 1 | 14.84x |
| Tonbridge | 1 | 12.08x |
| Weston Super Mare | 1 | 36.50x |
| Yaxley | 1 | 322.58x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Milley 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 Milley 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 Milley households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| Scholar | 8 |
| Confectioner | 4 |
| Housekeeper | 2 |
| Labourer | 2 |
| No Occ Game Keepers Son | 2 |
| (?) | 1 |
| (Dom) | 1 |
| Ag Lab | 1 |
| Brickmaker Master Employing 4 Men & 4 Boys | 1 |
| Clothiers Apprentice (Tailor) | 1 |
| Cook | 1 |
| Cook Domestic Servant | 1 |
| Domestic Servant | 1 |
| Engine Fitter | 1 |
| Errand Boy | 1 |
| Game Keeper | 1 |
| Game Keeper Wife | 1 |
| Gardener (Dom) | 1 |
| General Serv | 1 |
| Grazier 8 Acres ((4)) | 1 |
| Groom | 1 |
| Grooms Wife | 1 |
| Head Ostler George Hotel (Inn) | 1 |
| Housemaid Domestic Servant | 1 |
| Inn Keeper | 1 |
| Mariner | 1 |
| Ordy Seaman | 1 |
| Serv | 1 |
| Servant (Dom) | 1 |
| Shepherd | 1 |
| Wood Machinist (Sawyer) | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 68 people were recorded with the Milley surname. That placed it at #23,950 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 55 in 2016. That gives Milley a modern rank of #34,627.
A surname derived from "mille" meaning mill, indicating the family likely worked at or lived near a mill.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Milley 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.