NameCensus.

UK surname

Milman

A surname derived from the medieval occupation of a miller or keeper of a mill.

In the 1881 census there were 169 people recorded with the Milman surname, ranking it #14,324 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 94, ranked #31,871, down from #14,324 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Paignton, Ribbesford (Bewdley), Abberley, Rock and Tormoham with Torquay. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Harrow, East Hertfordshire and Canterbury.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Milman is 262 in 1891. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 44.4%.

1881 census count

169

Ranked #14,324

Modern count

94

2016, ranked #31,871

Peak year

1891

262 bearers

Map years

7

1851 to 1998

Key insights

  • Milman had 169 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #14,324 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 94 in 2016, ranked #31,871.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 262 in 1891.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Outer Suburbs.

Milman surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Milman surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Milman 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 156 #12,552
1861 historical 187 #12,690
1881 historical 169 #14,324
1891 historical 262 #12,297
1901 historical 261 #12,775
1911 historical 228 #13,759
1997 modern 112 #25,244
1998 modern 112 #25,856
1999 modern 111 #26,182
2000 modern 109 #26,381
2001 modern 102 #27,093
2002 modern 103 #27,443
2003 modern 94 #28,686
2004 modern 92 #29,197
2005 modern 85 #30,219
2006 modern 84 #30,665
2007 modern 90 #30,228
2008 modern 97 #29,527
2009 modern 98 #29,906
2010 modern 101 #30,078
2011 modern 97 #30,552
2012 modern 102 #29,902
2013 modern 96 #31,381
2014 modern 99 #31,186
2015 modern 95 #31,749
2016 modern 94 #31,871

Geography

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Where Milmans are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Paignton, Ribbesford (Bewdley), Abberley, Rock, Tormoham with Torquay, London parishes and Hatfield, Fishlake, Thorne, Crowle (Eastoft). These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Harrow, East Hertfordshire, Canterbury, Walsall 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 Paignton Devon
2 Ribbesford (Bewdley), Abberley, Rock Worcestershire
3 Tormoham with Torquay Devon
4 London parishes London 1
5 Hatfield, Fishlake, Thorne, Crowle (Eastoft) Yorkshire, West Riding

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Harrow 003 Harrow
2 East Hertfordshire 010 East Hertfordshire
3 Canterbury 016 Canterbury
4 Walsall 039 Walsall
5 Shropshire 029 Shropshire

Forenames

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First names often paired with Milman

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Milman

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Milman, 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 Milman surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Outer Suburbs, within Ethnically Diverse Suburban Professionals. This does not mean every Milman 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

Suburban Asian Communities

Group

Settled Semi-Detached Asians

Within London, Milman is most associated with areas classed as Settled Semi-Detached Asians, part of Suburban Asian Communities. 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

These residents share Supergroup characteristics of large (non-Chinese) Asian populations but those identifying as Bangladeshi are notably absent. Many residents were born in the UK, while other more recent migrants have African birthplaces. Semi-detached housing, much of it owner occupied, prevails in these suburban residential locations.

Wider London pattern

Many residents of these neighbourhoods are of (non-Chinese) Asian descent, with many identifying as Indian, Pakistani or Bangladeshi. Neighbourhoods are located across large areas of suburban west, north-east and south London. Detached, semi-detached and terraced houses are more prevalent than flats and socially rented housing is uncommon. Few residents live in communal establishments. Many families have dependent children, sometimes in overcrowded accommodation, and few households are ethnically mixed. Marriage rates are above the London average. The even age distribution, relative absence of individuals living alone and frequent incidence of households with children suggests that multi-generation households may be relatively common. Employment is often in skilled trades, elementary, sales and customer service occupations, and roles as process, plant, and machine operatives. Manufacturing and construction are well represented, along with employment in distribution, hotels, and restaurants. Many adults have only level 1, 2, or apprenticeship qualifications. English is not used at home by some residents. Religious affiliation is above average.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Milman is most concentrated in decile 4 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.

4
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Milman falls in decile 10 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.

10
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Milman

The surname MILMAN is of English origin, derived from the Old English words "mylen" meaning "mill" and "mann" meaning "man," indicating that the earliest bearers of this name were likely millers or lived near a mill. It first appeared in the 12th century records from the counties of Sussex and Kent in southern England.

The earliest recorded instance of the MILMAN surname dates back to the Pipe Rolls of Sussex in 1195, where a Richard Mileman is mentioned. This spelling variation highlights the evolution of the name over time. In the 13th century, the Hundred Rolls of Sussex (1275) listed a William Muleman, further demonstrating the interchangeable use of "u" and "i" in the spelling.

One of the earliest notable figures bearing this surname was Sir Francis Milman (1546-1623), a wealthy merchant and alderman of London. He served as Lord Mayor of London in 1594 and was knighted by Queen Elizabeth I in 1603.

During the 16th and 17th centuries, the MILMAN name appeared in various records, including the Parish Registers of St. Mary's Church in Islington, where the baptism of Richard Milman was recorded in 1596. The name also surfaced in the Hearth Tax Rolls of Middlesex in 1664, indicating its spread across different regions.

In the literary realm, Henry Hart Milman (1791-1868) was a prominent English historian and ecclesiastical writer. He served as Dean of St. Paul's Cathedral in London and authored several influential works, including "History of the Jews" and "History of Latin Christianity."

Another notable figure was Sir Alexander Milman (1806-1896), a British naval officer and explorer. He served in the Royal Navy and participated in various expeditions, including the search for the Northwest Passage in the Arctic regions.

Robert Milman (1816-1876) was an English clergyman and poet, known for his contributions to the literary magazine "Blackwood's Magazine." He also published several collections of poetry, such as "Poems Legendary and Historical" and "Poems of a Gazer."

In the 20th century, Sir Frederick Milman Bailey (1900-1989) was a distinguished British lawyer and judge. He served as a Lord Justice of Appeal and was knighted in 1961 for his legal services.

Overall, the MILMAN surname has a rich history spanning several centuries and can be traced back to its English origins, with connections to the milling trade, literary figures, and prominent individuals in various fields.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Milman families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Milman 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 35 Milmans recorded in 1881 and an index of 2.19x.

County Total Index
Middlesex 35 2.19x
Yorkshire 25 1.58x
Devon 24 7.21x
Worcestershire 19 9.09x
Surrey 13 1.67x
Glamorgan 7 2.51x
Cheshire 5 1.42x
Pembrokeshire 5 9.83x
Cumberland 4 2.90x
Gloucestershire 4 1.27x
Brecknockshire 3 9.38x
Derbyshire 3 1.20x
Durham 3 0.63x
Nottinghamshire 3 1.39x
Cornwall 2 1.10x
Warwickshire 2 0.50x
Berkshire 1 0.83x
Dorset 1 0.95x
Essex 1 0.32x
Rutland 1 8.51x
Shropshire 1 0.72x
Somerset 1 0.39x
Staffordshire 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. Rock in Worcestershire leads with 19 Milmans recorded in 1881 and an index of 2289.16x.

Place Total Index
Rock 19 2289.16x
Kensington London 17 19.11x
Islington London 10 6.45x
Tormoham 9 63.88x
Horton In Ribblesdale 7 2413.79x
Loughor 7 472.97x
Dunham On The Hill 5 3333.33x
Heeley 5 103.73x
Tenby St Mary In 5 193.05x
Arlecdon 4 109.29x
Lambeth 4 2.87x
Southwark St George Martyr 4 12.43x
Thorne 4 203.05x
Bristol St Philip Jacob 3 10.16x
Brixham 3 77.72x
Hatfield In Thorne 3 303.03x
Heworth 3 31.98x
Leeds 3 3.35x
Lidford 3 200.00x
Llangenny 3 1071.43x
Nottingham St Mary 3 5.38x
Tavistock 3 79.16x
Towerof London London 3 588.24x
Camberwell 2 1.96x
Coal Aston 2 465.12x
Crediton 2 63.29x
Penge 2 19.57x
St Pancras London 2 1.55x
Warwick St Mary 2 57.14x
Bradworthy 1 204.08x
Bristol St James St Paul 1 9.56x
Cardington 1 312.50x
Charminster 1 119.05x
Conisbrough 1 67.11x
Exeter Heavitree 1 40.32x
Fryerning 1 256.41x
Harborne 1 5.78x
Keynsham 1 54.05x
Normanton 1 47.17x
Paddington London 1 1.70x
Paignton 1 39.53x
Sanderstead 1 476.19x
Sonning 1 75.19x
St Blazey 1 62.89x
St George Bloomsbury 1 10.89x
St George Hanover 1 4.79x
Sutton Stoneferry 1 22.03x
Sykehouse 1 454.55x
Tywardreath 1 86.21x
Uppingham 1 71.43x
Witheridge 1 178.57x

Top female names

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

Name Count
John 7
William 7
Francis 6
George 5
James 4
Richard 4
Arthur 3
Alfred 2
Charles 2
Henry 2
Herbert 2
Thomas 2
Alexander 1
Archibald 1
Chas. 1
David 1
Edmund 1
Edward 1
Edwin 1
Ernest 1
Everard 1
Frank 1
Fredrick 1
Gustave 1
Huebert 1
Lonel 1
Richd. 1
Samuel 1
Stephen 1
Walter 1

FAQ

Milman surname: questions and answers

How common was the Milman surname in 1881?

In 1881, 169 people were recorded with the Milman surname. That placed it at #14,324 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Milman surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 94 in 2016. That gives Milman a modern rank of #31,871.

What does the Milman surname mean?

A surname derived from the medieval occupation of a miller or keeper of a mill.

What does the Milman map show?

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