UK surname
A variant form of the English habitational surname "Milliken" meaning "from Milliken" (a place name of uncertain origin).
In the 1881 census there were 89 people recorded with the Millikin surname, ranking it #21,091 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 51, ranked #34,838, down from #21,091 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Girvan, Govan Combination and Lerwick. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Millikin is 108 in 1901. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 42.7%.
1881 census count
89
Ranked #21,091
Modern count
51
2016, ranked #34,838
Peak year
1901
108 bearers
Map years
2
1891 to 1901
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Millikin surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Millikin surname density by area, 1901 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 | 37 | #26,673 |
| 1861 | historical | 44 | #28,433 |
| 1881 | historical | 89 | #21,091 |
| 1891 | historical | 105 | #23,241 |
| 1901 | historical | 108 | #21,836 |
| 1911 | historical | 58 | #27,001 |
| 1997 | modern | 56 | #32,004 |
| 1998 | modern | 56 | #32,313 |
| 1999 | modern | 58 | #32,268 |
| 2000 | modern | 60 | #32,124 |
| 2001 | modern | 58 | #32,180 |
| 2002 | modern | 58 | #32,564 |
| 2003 | modern | 55 | #32,895 |
| 2004 | modern | 49 | #33,647 |
| 2005 | modern | 49 | #33,859 |
| 2006 | modern | 48 | #34,245 |
| 2007 | modern | 49 | #34,422 |
| 2008 | modern | 46 | #34,759 |
| 2009 | modern | 46 | #34,918 |
| 2010 | modern | 48 | #34,946 |
| 2011 | modern | 46 | #35,047 |
| 2012 | modern | 43 | #35,224 |
| 2013 | modern | 43 | #35,271 |
| 2014 | modern | 47 | #35,097 |
| 2015 | modern | 50 | #34,886 |
| 2016 | modern | 51 | #34,838 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Girvan, Govan Combination, Lerwick, Edinburgh and Manchester. 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 | Girvan | Ayr |
| 2 | Govan Combination | Lanark |
| 3 | Lerwick | Shetland |
| 4 | Edinburgh | Edinburgh |
| 5 | Manchester | Lancashire |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Millikin 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 Millikin, 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 Millikin surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Millikin 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, Millikin 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 Millikin is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Millikin, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Millikin is of English origin and can be traced back to the 14th century. It is believed to have originated from the Old English word "millecyn," which referred to a small mill or mill-stream. This suggests that the name likely originated as an occupational surname for someone who lived near or worked at a small mill.
The earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in various medieval records, including the Subsidy Rolls of Yorkshire from 1327, which mention a John Millikin. The name also appears in the Pipe Rolls of Derbyshire from 1379, where a Richard Milkyn is listed.
Over time, the name has had several variations in spelling, including Milliken, Millikin, Milkin, and Milkyn. These variations reflect the fluid nature of spelling during the Middle Ages, as well as regional dialectal differences.
One notable early bearer of the name was William Millikin, a merchant and landowner from Yorkshire, who was born around 1480. He is recorded as having acquired significant property holdings in the region during the 16th century.
Another historical figure with this surname was Robert Millikin (1668-1744), a Scottish Presbyterian minister who served as the Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland in 1723.
In the United States, one of the earliest recorded instances of the name is John Millikin (1733-1815), an Irish immigrant who settled in Pennsylvania and served as a Captain in the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War.
During the 19th century, the Millikin name gained prominence through individuals like James Millikin (1827-1909), an American industrialist and philanthropist who founded the Millikin University in Decatur, Illinois.
Another notable figure was John Millikin (1795-1875), a Scottish-born Canadian businessman and politician who served as a member of the Legislative Assembly of the Province of Canada.
Over the centuries, the Millikin surname has been carried by individuals from various walks of life, including academics, military personnel, politicians, and entrepreneurs. While its origins can be traced back to England, the name has since spread to other parts of the world through migration and settlement.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Millikin 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. Lanarkshire leads with 25 Millikins recorded in 1881 and an index of 8.91x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Lanarkshire | 25 | 8.91x |
| Lancashire | 15 | 1.46x |
| Middlesex | 12 | 1.38x |
| Shetland | 8 | 90.29x |
| Surrey | 6 | 1.42x |
| Ayrshire | 5 | 7.70x |
| Northumberland | 5 | 3.87x |
| Somerset | 4 | 2.86x |
| Renfrewshire | 3 | 4.46x |
| Aberdeenshire | 1 | 1.24x |
| Angus | 1 | 1.24x |
| Cheshire | 1 | 0.52x |
| Devon | 1 | 0.55x |
| Kent | 1 | 0.34x |
| Staffordshire | 1 | 0.34x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Glasgow in Lanarkshire leads with 12 Millikins recorded in 1881 and an index of 24.08x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Glasgow | 12 | 24.08x |
| Govan | 9 | 12.96x |
| Lerwick Gulberwick | 8 | 583.94x |
| Hackney London | 7 | 14.39x |
| Liverpool | 6 | 9.59x |
| West Lilburn | 5 | 8333.33x |
| Barony | 4 | 5.63x |
| Hulme | 4 | 18.60x |
| Walcot | 4 | 53.76x |
| Eastwood | 3 | 72.46x |
| Islington London | 3 | 3.57x |
| Lambeth | 3 | 3.96x |
| St Quivox | 3 | 136.36x |
| West Derby | 3 | 9.96x |
| Kensington London | 2 | 4.14x |
| Largs | 2 | 130.72x |
| Richmond | 2 | 33.73x |
| Toxteth Park | 2 | 5.74x |
| Aberdeen St Nicholas | 1 | 6.65x |
| Dundee | 1 | 3.33x |
| Plymouth St Andrew | 1 | 7.18x |
| Sale | 1 | 42.55x |
| Southfleet | 1 | 370.37x |
| Southwark St George Martyr | 1 | 5.72x |
| Wolverhampton | 1 | 4.44x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Millikin 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 Millikin 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 Millikin households.
FAQ
In 1881, 89 people were recorded with the Millikin surname. That placed it at #21,091 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 51 in 2016. That gives Millikin a modern rank of #34,838.
A variant form of the English habitational surname "Milliken" meaning "from Milliken" (a place name of uncertain origin).
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Millikin 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.