NameCensus.

UK surname

Millie

A surname derived from the Middle English word "milye," meaning someone who lived near a mill or worked as a miller.

In the 1881 census there were 109 people recorded with the Millie surname, ranking it #18,793 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 103, ranked #30,515, down from #18,793 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Edmonton, Cupar and Edinburgh. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Kirkcaldy Newliston and Redcraigs, Pumpherston and Uphall Station and Wokingham.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Millie is 172 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 5.5%.

1881 census count

109

Ranked #18,793

Modern count

103

2016, ranked #30,515

Peak year

1861

172 bearers

Map years

7

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Millie had 109 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #18,793 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 103 in 2016, ranked #30,515.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 172 in 1861.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Outer Suburbs.

Millie surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Millie surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Millie 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 147 #13,084
1861 historical 172 #13,619
1881 historical 109 #18,793
1891 historical 151 #18,242
1901 historical 159 #17,442
1911 historical 95 #23,294
1997 modern 95 #27,638
1998 modern 103 #27,141
1999 modern 108 #26,602
2000 modern 102 #27,425
2001 modern 101 #27,252
2002 modern 101 #27,766
2003 modern 102 #27,383
2004 modern 108 #26,741
2005 modern 98 #28,325
2006 modern 91 #29,725
2007 modern 93 #29,777
2008 modern 94 #29,950
2009 modern 96 #30,239
2010 modern 103 #29,780
2011 modern 100 #30,058
2012 modern 102 #29,902
2013 modern 100 #30,773
2014 modern 99 #31,186
2015 modern 100 #31,005
2016 modern 103 #30,515

Geography

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Where Millies are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Edmonton, Cupar, Edinburgh, Dundee, Liff, Benvie and Invergowry and St John Hackney. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Kirkcaldy Newliston and Redcraigs, Pumpherston and Uphall Station, Wokingham, Basildon and Tendring. 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 Edmonton Middlesex (Exclusive Of London Districts)
2 Cupar Fife
3 Edinburgh Edinburgh
4 Dundee, Liff, Benvie and Invergowry Forfar
5 St John Hackney London (North Districts)

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Kirkcaldy Newliston and Redcraigs Fife
2 Pumpherston and Uphall Station West Lothian
3 Wokingham 020 Wokingham
4 Basildon 014 Basildon
5 Tendring 012 Tendring

Forenames

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First names often paired with Millie

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Millie

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

Ethnically Diverse Suburban Professionals

Group

Outer Suburbs

Nationally, the Millie surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Outer Suburbs, within Ethnically Diverse Suburban Professionals. This does not mean every Millie household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

These neighbourhoods are found on the outer edges of many towns and cities. Many residents were born outside the UK. Indian ethnic group representation is high. There are high numbers of families with dependent children aged 5 to 14. Incidences of disability and of provision of unpaid care are low. Neighbourhoods provide a mix of detached housing and flats, and terraced housing is not uncommon. Levels of overcrowding are low and homeownership rates are high. Professional and managerial occupations are prevalent: unemployment is low and education to degree level is the norm.

Wider pattern

Those working within the managerial, professional and administrative occupations typically reflect a wide range of ethnic groups, and reside in detached or semi-detached housing. Their residential locations at the edges of cities and conurbations and car-based lifestyles are more characteristic of Supergroup membership than birthplace or participation in child-rearing. Houses are typically owner-occupied and marriage rates are lower than the national average. This Supergroup is found throughout suburban UK.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs

Group

London Fringe

Within London, Millie is most associated with areas classed as London Fringe, part of Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs. 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

Predominantly located in neighbourhoods on the outskirts of Greater London, residents of these neighbourhoods typically have their highest qualifications below degree (Level 4) level, with those still in work engaged in skilled trades and occupations in distribution, hotels and restaurants. There is low ethnic diversity in these neighbourhoods and high levels of Christian religious affiliation. Detached or terraced houses predominate, often with spare rooms.

Wider London pattern

The age distribution of these neighbourhoods is skewed towards the middle-aged and old, although few residents live alone or in communal establishments and numbers of dependent children are around average. Owner occupation is the norm, as is residence in detached or semi-detached houses. Residential densities are low and many households have spare rooms. Most residents were born in the UK and, aside from some identifying as members of Chinese or Indian ethnicities, identify as White. Mixed ethnicity households are rare. Incidence of married couples is higher than average and few individuals have never been married. A large proportion of individuals still in employment work in administrative and secretarial occupations, or in the construction industry. Few residents are students, and many households own more than one car.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Millie is most concentrated in decile 1 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the less healthy 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.

1
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Millie falls in decile 3 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the more deprived end of the index.

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

3
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Millie is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of Over 70 mbit/s.

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

10
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

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

Meaning and origin of Millie

The surname Millie is believed to have originated in England, likely during the medieval period. It is thought to be a locational name, derived from the Old English words "mylen" or "mylene," meaning "at the mill."

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Millie can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, which was a comprehensive survey of landholdings and wealth in England commissioned by William the Conqueror. The entry mentions a landowner named Aelfric de Mylene, suggesting the name's association with a location near a mill.

In the 13th century, the name appeared in various forms such as "de Mulne," "de la Mulne," and "atte Mulne," reflecting the evolution of the English language and the influence of Norman French after the Norman Conquest. These variations suggest that the name was initially used to identify individuals living near a mill or those who worked in mills.

One notable figure bearing the surname Millie was Sir John Millie, a prominent English landowner and knight who lived in the late 13th and early 14th centuries. He was involved in the Scottish Wars of Independence and fought alongside King Edward I against William Wallace and Robert the Bruce.

Another historical figure was Thomas Millie (c. 1550-1608), an English clergyman and author who served as the Dean of Rochester Cathedral. He was known for his religious writings and sermons during the Elizabethan era.

In the 17th century, the surname can be found in various spellings, including "Milley," "Milly," and "Milie." One notable individual from this period was Richard Millie (1609-1680), a wealthy English merchant and philanthropist who made significant contributions to the City of London.

Moving into the 18th century, the name Millie gained further recognition with individuals such as Samuel Millie (1738-1815), a British author and poet who wrote on various subjects, including religion and philosophy.

Throughout the 19th century, the surname Millie continued to be used, with individuals like Henry Millie (1823-1888), a prominent British architect responsible for designing several notable buildings in London and other parts of England.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Millie families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Millie 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 41 Millies recorded in 1881 and an index of 3.86x.

County Total Index
Middlesex 41 3.86x
Fife 31 49.26x
Angus 9 9.14x
Midlothian 8 5.62x
Monmouthshire 5 6.51x
Lanarkshire 4 1.16x
East Lothian 3 21.31x
Hertfordshire 2 2.73x
Northumberland 2 1.26x
Gloucestershire 1 0.48x
Perthshire 1 2.10x
Surrey 1 0.19x
Yorkshire 1 0.09x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Bethnal Green London in Middlesex leads with 16 Millies recorded in 1881 and an index of 34.65x.

Place Total Index
Bethnal Green London 16 34.65x
Dysart 9 212.26x
Hackney London 9 15.10x
Cupar 8 291.97x
Dundee 7 19.04x
Shoreditch London 6 13.02x
Abdie 4 1111.11x
Mile End New Town 4 275.86x
Mile End Old Town 4 23.84x
South Leith 4 24.95x
Berwick North 3 303.03x
Inverkeithing 3 315.79x
Kirkcaldy 3 96.15x
Monmouth 3 147.06x
Chepstow 2 152.67x
Edinburgh Canongate 2 55.25x
Liff Benvie 2 13.38x
Newcastle On Tyne All Sts 2 21.16x
Barony 1 1.15x
Blythswood 1 5000.00x
Bristol St Paul In 1 18.02x
Edinburgh Buccleuch 1 29.67x
Edinburgh St Georges 1 33.78x
Falkland 1 101.01x
Govan 1 1.18x
Hertford St John 1 91.74x
Kensington London 1 1.69x
Middlesbrough 1 7.29x
New Monkland 1 9.84x
Newburgh 1 125.00x
Scone 1 117.65x
St Alban Wood Street 1 1666.67x
Strathmiglo 1 133.33x
Streatham 1 12.67x
Watford 1 17.61x
Wemyss 1 37.59x

Top female names

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

Name Count
William 6
John 4
Andrew 2
Edward 2
George 2
Henry 2
Robert 2
Alfred 1
Arthur 1
Charles 1
Chas.J. 1
David 1
Joseph 1
Samuel 1

FAQ

Millie surname: questions and answers

How common was the Millie surname in 1881?

In 1881, 109 people were recorded with the Millie surname. That placed it at #18,793 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Millie surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 103 in 2016. That gives Millie a modern rank of #30,515.

What does the Millie surname mean?

A surname derived from the Middle English word "milye," meaning someone who lived near a mill or worked as a miller.

What does the Millie map show?

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