NameCensus.

UK surname

Millington

A locational surname referring to any of several places in England, likely deriving from Old English elements meaning "mill town."

In the 1881 census there were 4,537 people recorded with the Millington surname, ranking it #989 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 6,722, ranked #1,004, down from #989 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to St Werburgh, Manchester and Runcorn. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Flintshire, Kingston upon Hull and Cheshire West and Chester.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Millington is 7,045 in 1999. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 48.2%.

1881 census count

4,537

Ranked #989

Modern count

6,722

2016, ranked #1,004

Peak year

1999

7,045 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Millington had 4,537 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #989 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 6,722 in 2016, ranked #1,004.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 6,510 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Millington surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Millington surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Millington 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 2,853 #1,025
1861 historical 2,614 #1,125
1881 historical 4,537 #989
1891 historical 4,605 #1,017
1901 historical 5,884 #944
1911 historical 6,510 #794
1997 modern 6,679 #973
1998 modern 6,959 #971
1999 modern 7,045 #970
2000 modern 7,022 #966
2001 modern 6,898 #964
2002 modern 6,977 #973
2003 modern 6,736 #979
2004 modern 6,700 #989
2005 modern 6,528 #1,007
2006 modern 6,528 #1,003
2007 modern 6,616 #1,003
2008 modern 6,640 #1,002
2009 modern 6,889 #987
2010 modern 6,998 #991
2011 modern 6,873 #995
2012 modern 6,745 #992
2013 modern 6,793 #1,007
2014 modern 6,815 #1,008
2015 modern 6,739 #1,007
2016 modern 6,722 #1,004

Geography

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Where Millingtons are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around St Werburgh, Manchester, Runcorn, Hawarden and Sheffield. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Flintshire, Kingston upon Hull, Cheshire West and Chester and Shropshire. 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 St Werburgh Derbyshire
2 Manchester Lancashire
3 Runcorn Cheshire
4 Hawarden Cheshire
5 Sheffield Yorkshire, West Riding

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Flintshire 017 Flintshire
2 Kingston upon Hull 008 Kingston upon Hull, City of
3 Flintshire 016 Flintshire
4 Cheshire West and Chester 001 Cheshire West and Chester
5 Shropshire 035 Shropshire

Forenames

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First names often paired with Millington

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Millington

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

Millington is most concentrated in decile 7 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname near the middle of the scale.

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

7
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Millington falls in decile 1 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.

1
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Millington

The surname Millington is of English origin and dates back to the medieval period. It is a locational name derived from one of the various places named Millington, such as those found in Yorkshire, Cheshire, and Derbyshire. The name is believed to have originated from the Old English words "mylen" meaning "mill" and "tun" meaning "farm" or "enclosure," signifying a settlement or village where a mill was located.

One of the earliest recorded references to the name Millington can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, where it appears as "Millinctone" and "Millinctun." This suggests that the name was already in use during the 11th century in various parts of England.

In the 13th century, records show a Robert de Millington from Yorkshire, indicating that the name had gained prominence in that region. Similarly, in the 14th century, a John de Millington from Cheshire is mentioned in historical documents.

During the Tudor period, the name Millington appeared in several notable individuals. Sir Thomas Millington (c. 1490-1568) was a prominent lawyer and judge who served as the Chief Justice of the Common Pleas under Queen Mary I. Another noteworthy figure was Richard Millington (c. 1520-1585), an English Catholic priest and martyr who was executed during the Elizabethan period for his religious beliefs.

In the 17th century, the name Millington continued to be found in various parts of England. One notable bearer was Thomas Millington (1628-1704), an English clergyman and author who served as the Rector of Newington Butts in London.

Another significant figure associated with the surname was Sir Thomas Millington (1673-1748), an English politician who served as a Member of Parliament for Nottingham. He was also a prominent lawyer and served as the King's Serjeant.

In the 18th century, the name Millington was carried by John Millington (1701-1784), an English clergyman and author who served as the Rector of Heston in Middlesex. He is known for his work "The Stranger's Guide to the Town and University of Cambridge" published in 1774.

Throughout history, the surname Millington has been associated with various notable individuals from different walks of life, including lawyers, clergy members, politicians, and authors, reflecting the name's long-standing presence and significance in English society.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Millington families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Millington 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. Staffordshire leads with 822 Millingtons recorded in 1881 and an index of 5.50x.

County Total Index
Staffordshire 822 5.50x
Lancashire 746 1.42x
Cheshire 486 4.98x
Yorkshire 347 0.79x
Derbyshire 311 4.49x
Shropshire 297 7.77x
Warwickshire 200 1.79x
Flintshire 185 15.56x
Worcestershire 171 2.96x
Middlesex 167 0.38x
Nottinghamshire 140 2.35x
Kent 78 0.52x
Surrey 72 0.33x
Lincolnshire 63 0.89x
Gloucestershire 54 0.62x
Essex 50 0.57x
Denbighshire 44 2.63x
Leicestershire 36 0.73x
Hampshire 27 0.30x
Cumberland 22 0.58x
Durham 21 0.16x
Norfolk 15 0.22x
Herefordshire 14 0.77x
Wiltshire 13 0.33x
Suffolk 12 0.22x
Sussex 12 0.16x
Cambridgeshire 11 0.39x
Devon 11 0.12x
Northamptonshire 11 0.26x
Somerset 11 0.15x
Berkshire 10 0.30x
Hertfordshire 10 0.33x
Monmouthshire 10 0.31x
Northumberland 10 0.15x
Buckinghamshire 8 0.30x
Caernarfonshire 7 0.39x
Montgomeryshire 7 0.69x
Oxfordshire 7 0.26x
Cornwall 6 0.12x
Midlothian 4 0.07x
Glamorgan 3 0.04x
Channel Islands 1 0.08x
Dumfriesshire 1 0.10x
Lanarkshire 1 0.01x
Royal Navy 1 0.19x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Birmingham in Warwickshire leads with 88 Millingtons recorded in 1881 and an index of 2.37x.

Place Total Index
Birmingham 88 2.37x
Stoke Upon Trent 63 3.98x
Aston 58 1.89x
Runcorn 58 25.76x
Tipton 55 12.03x
Sedgley 53 9.56x
Hawarden 51 54.59x
Manchester 47 1.99x
Nottingham St Mary 40 2.59x
Hulme 39 3.56x
Wolverhampton 39 3.40x
West Bromwich 38 4.45x
Warrington 36 5.79x
Kirkdale 34 3.85x
Walsall Foreign 34 4.41x
Hawarden Pentrobin 33 174.23x
Audley 32 21.66x
Rowley Regis 31 7.45x
Wednesbury 31 8.31x
Sheffield 30 2.15x
Burslem 29 6.78x
Lambeth 29 0.75x
Parr 29 15.44x
Willenhall 29 10.37x
Barton Upon Irwell 28 7.09x
Darlaston 27 13.08x
Dawley 27 19.41x
Nuneaton 27 20.89x
Prees 27 58.00x
Harborne 26 5.43x
Hawarden Ewloe Town 26 202.49x
Liverpool 26 0.82x
Cannock 25 9.59x
Monyash 25 413.91x
St Pancras London 25 0.70x
Attercliffe Cum Darnall 24 5.88x
Chester St Oswald 24 13.57x
Ecclesall Bierlow 24 2.69x
Oldham 24 1.42x
Brightside Bierlow 23 2.68x
Dudley 23 3.27x
Hackney London 23 0.93x
Lichfield St Chad 23 68.47x
Salford 23 1.49x
West Derby 23 1.50x
Bilston 22 7.60x
Caverswall 22 28.34x
Eckington 22 13.08x
Leicester St Margaret 22 1.84x
Wigan 22 3.00x
Birkenhead 21 2.70x
Derby St Alkmund 21 10.12x
East Bridgford 21 154.41x
Chorlton On Medlock 20 2.40x
Cockermouth 20 24.94x
Little Hulton 20 23.01x
Lower Mitton 20 39.29x
Shifnal 20 19.28x
Hope 19 32.12x
Toxteth Park 19 1.07x
Bredgar 18 192.72x
Broughton In Salford 18 3.75x
Litchurch 18 6.46x
Mold 18 16.69x
Pendleton In Salford 18 2.88x
Shoreditch London 18 0.94x
Atherton 17 8.90x
Brampton 17 17.56x
Cirencester 17 14.47x
Deptford St Paul 17 1.46x
Lancaster 17 5.44x
Wellington 17 7.91x
Claylane 16 16.62x
Drayton In Hales 16 20.31x
Islington London 16 0.37x
Kidderminster Borough 16 4.73x
Nether Hallam 16 2.70x
Newton In Makerfield 16 9.95x
Stanton Upon Hine Heath 16 158.57x
West Ham 16 0.83x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 313
Elizabeth 187
Sarah 182
Ann 118
Annie 101
Jane 89
Alice 80
Emma 80
Ellen 65
Hannah 62
Eliza 59
Martha 56
Emily 52
Margaret 40
Harriet 36
Maria 31
Clara 28
Edith 28
Ada 27
Florence 24
Charlotte 23
Fanny 21
Catherine 20
Louisa 20
Harriett 19
Caroline 18
Frances 16
Esther 15
Lucy 15
Agnes 13
Rebecca 13
Amy 12
Elizth. 12
Ruth 12
Anne 11
Kate 11
Matilda 10
Amelia 9
Jessie 8
Julia 8
Laura 8
Lizzie 8
Eleanor 7
Gertrude 7
Phoebe 7
Selina 7
Betsy 6
Constance 6
Lydia 6
May 6

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 302
William 298
Thomas 212
James 129
Joseph 119
George 106
Henry 89
Charles 72
Samuel 55
Edward 53
Richard 52
Robert 44
Arthur 36
Alfred 35
Frederick 29
Albert 26
Francis 24
Herbert 24
Harry 22
Thos. 21
Wm. 20
Walter 19
Frank 18
Ernest 17
Isaac 17
Benjamin 14
David 14
Abraham 13
Daniel 12
Geo. 11
Jacob 11
Edwin 10
Peter 10
Jesse 9
Fredk. 7
Job 7
Enoch 6
Fred 6
Ralph 6
Reuben 6
Willm. 6
Chas. 5
Mark 5
Sidney 5
Moses 4
Rowland 4
Saml. 4
Jonathan 3
Robt. 3
Sam 3

FAQ

Millington surname: questions and answers

How common was the Millington surname in 1881?

In 1881, 4,537 people were recorded with the Millington surname. That placed it at #989 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Millington surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 6,722 in 2016. That gives Millington a modern rank of #1,004.

What does the Millington surname mean?

A locational surname referring to any of several places in England, likely deriving from Old English elements meaning "mill town."

What does the Millington map show?

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