NameCensus.

UK surname

Milnes

A surname of Norman origin implying 'from the mill stream'.

In the 1881 census there were 2,654 people recorded with the Milnes surname, ranking it #1,671 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 2,065, ranked #3,131, down from #1,671 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Rochdale, Halifax and Kirkheaton. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Wakefield, Sheffield and North East Derbyshire.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Milnes is 3,200 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 22.2%.

1881 census count

2,654

Ranked #1,671

Modern count

2,065

2016, ranked #3,131

Peak year

1911

3,200 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Milnes had 2,654 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #1,671 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 2,065 in 2016, ranked #3,131.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 3,200 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Inner Suburbs and Small Town Living.

Milnes surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Milnes surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Milnes 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 1,751 #1,647
1861 historical 1,670 #1,715
1881 historical 2,654 #1,671
1891 historical 2,810 #1,684
1901 historical 3,048 #1,837
1911 historical 3,200 #1,624
1997 modern 2,346 #2,662
1998 modern 2,381 #2,726
1999 modern 2,378 #2,747
2000 modern 2,369 #2,737
2001 modern 2,311 #2,745
2002 modern 2,299 #2,809
2003 modern 2,247 #2,805
2004 modern 2,245 #2,814
2005 modern 2,187 #2,853
2006 modern 2,132 #2,910
2007 modern 2,138 #2,928
2008 modern 2,162 #2,927
2009 modern 2,206 #2,941
2010 modern 2,230 #2,980
2011 modern 2,204 #2,967
2012 modern 2,108 #3,036
2013 modern 2,134 #3,053
2014 modern 2,124 #3,093
2015 modern 2,106 #3,086
2016 modern 2,065 #3,131

Geography

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Where Milnes' are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Rochdale, Halifax, Kirkheaton, Batley and Bradford. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Wakefield, Sheffield, North East Derbyshire and Newark and Sherwood. 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 Rochdale Lancashire
2 Halifax Yorkshire, West Riding
3 Kirkheaton Yorkshire, West Riding
4 Batley Yorkshire, West Riding
5 Bradford Yorkshire, West Riding

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Wakefield 039 Wakefield
2 Sheffield 001 Sheffield
3 North East Derbyshire 001 North East Derbyshire
4 Newark and Sherwood 002 Newark and Sherwood
5 Sheffield 059 Sheffield

Forenames

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First names often paired with Milnes

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Milnes

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

Inner Suburbs and Small Town Living

Nationally, the Milnes surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Inner Suburbs and Small Town Living, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Milnes household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Families with resident dependent children (but not students) are common. Established family groups and White ethnicity predominate, as do individuals born in the UK. They are more likely than the Supergroup average to have been resident in their terraced, semi-detached, or detached houses for more than one year. Levels of multiple car ownership are high. Properties are owned and typically have surplus living space. Associate professionals and administrative occupations are prevalent, and parents are likely to be in middle age or approaching retirement. Educational attainment is above the Supergroup average. Scattered developments and concentrations are found in many small towns.

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, Milnes 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

Milnes 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

Milnes falls in decile 8 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.

8
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Milnes

The surname MILNES is of English origin, and it can be traced back to the medieval period. The name is derived from the Old English word "myln," which means "mill." It is believed that the name was initially given to someone who lived near a mill or worked as a miller.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name MILNES can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, where it appears as "Milnehus," referring to a place name. This suggests that the name was already well-established in England by the 11th century.

During the Middle Ages, the name was often spelled in various ways, such as Milne, Milnes, and Mylnes. These variations likely arose due to regional dialects and the inconsistent spelling practices of the time.

In the 13th century, a notable individual named William de Milnes was recorded as a landowner in Yorkshire. This provides evidence that the MILNES name had already gained some prominence in the region.

One of the earliest known bearers of the MILNES surname was Robert Milnes, who was born in Yorkshire around 1450. He was a merchant and landowner, and his descendants continued to play a significant role in the local community.

In the 16th century, the MILNES family established themselves as influential landowners and industrialists in Yorkshire. One prominent member was Sir Robert Milnes (1522-1591), who served as a Member of Parliament and was knighted by Queen Elizabeth I.

During the 17th century, the MILNES name gained further recognition with the birth of Richard Milnes (1609-1680), a successful merchant and businessman in London. His son, Sir John Milnes (1638-1703), was a prominent lawyer and Member of Parliament.

In the 18th century, Richard Monckton Milnes (1753-1829) was a notable figure in the MILNES family. He was a Member of Parliament and a successful landowner, known for his involvement in local politics and philanthropic endeavors.

The 19th century saw the rise of Richard Monckton Milnes, 1st Baron Houghton (1809-1885), a renowned poet, politician, and patron of the arts. He was a close friend of many prominent literary figures of his time, including Alfred Tennyson and William Makepeace Thackeray.

Another influential member of the MILNES family was Sir Alfred Milnes (1854-1923), a British diplomat and colonial administrator who served as the Governor of Cape Colony and High Commissioner for South Africa.

Throughout its long history, the MILNES surname has been associated with various place names, such as Milnes Cote and Milnes Bridge, both located in Yorkshire. These place names further reinforce the connection between the surname and the region where it originated.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Milnes families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Milnes 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. Yorkshire leads with 1,714 Milnes' recorded in 1881 and an index of 6.71x.

County Total Index
Yorkshire 1,714 6.71x
Lancashire 374 1.22x
Derbyshire 135 3.34x
Nottinghamshire 69 1.98x
Warwickshire 48 0.74x
Cheshire 46 0.81x
Middlesex 38 0.15x
Lincolnshire 36 0.87x
Surrey 34 0.27x
Gloucestershire 19 0.38x
Leicestershire 19 0.66x
Shropshire 19 0.85x
Kent 16 0.18x
Staffordshire 11 0.13x
Montgomeryshire 10 1.69x
Worcestershire 10 0.30x
Essex 9 0.18x
Monmouthshire 8 0.43x
Devon 6 0.11x
Durham 6 0.08x
Hertfordshire 5 0.28x
Sussex 3 0.07x
Northumberland 2 0.05x
Cumberland 1 0.05x
Hampshire 1 0.02x
Isle of Man 1 0.21x
Midlothian 1 0.03x
Norfolk 1 0.03x
Royal Navy 1 0.33x
Westmorland 1 0.18x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Bradford in Yorkshire leads with 102 Milnes' recorded in 1881 and an index of 16.49x.

Place Total Index
Bradford 102 16.49x
Butterworth 99 132.76x
Horton In Bradford 89 22.30x
Dewsbury 79 30.14x
Huddersfield 78 20.95x
Leeds 71 4.92x
Halifax 55 14.66x
Wakefield 51 25.99x
Batley 49 20.17x
Lindley Cum Quarmby 45 69.80x
Thornhill 41 54.97x
Almondbury 40 32.37x
Manningham 39 12.39x
Ecclesall Bierlow 34 6.54x
Kirkheaton 32 77.20x
Manchester 32 2.33x
Bury 28 8.01x
Bradfield 27 27.40x
Dalton In Huddersfield 27 47.16x
Kirkburton 27 89.61x
Kimberworth 26 18.33x
Golcar 25 37.00x
Aston 24 1.34x
Chorlton On Medlock 24 4.94x
Hunslet 23 5.77x
Hipperholme Cum 22 19.59x
Liversedge 22 19.34x
Skircoat 22 21.83x
Warley 22 29.78x
Cawthorne In Wortley 21 203.49x
Keighley 21 7.71x
Southowram 21 26.92x
North Bierley 20 14.49x
Sheffield 20 2.46x
Shelf 20 81.93x
Bowling 18 7.11x
Wardleworth 18 10.29x
Nottingham St Mary 17 1.89x
Salford 17 1.89x
Barnsley 16 6.07x
Birmingham 16 0.74x
Clayton 16 25.58x
Eckington 16 16.31x
Heckmondwike 16 19.46x
Oldham 16 1.62x
Soothill 16 17.33x
Altrincham 15 15.08x
Brightside Bierlow 15 2.99x
Lepton 15 56.18x
Ashford 14 234.51x
Blatchinworth 14 20.09x
Denby 14 101.52x
Sowerby In Halifax 14 16.75x
Claylane 13 23.16x
Gomersal 13 10.90x
Whitley Upper 13 353.26x
Belper 12 15.33x
Longwood 12 29.13x
Ovenden 12 10.55x
Alfreton 11 8.97x
Attercliffe Cum Darnall 11 4.62x
South Collingham 11 160.58x
St Pancras London 11 0.53x
Hodnet 10 57.44x
Hulme 10 1.57x
Lee 10 7.83x
Mirfield 10 7.13x
Ossett Cum Gawthorpe 10 10.95x
Penistone 10 50.18x
Worksop 10 9.70x
Beeston 9 34.82x
Dronfield 9 17.39x
Headingley Cum Burley 9 5.47x
Rotherham 9 6.25x
Saddleworth 9 4.57x
Stillingfleet With 9 278.64x
Addlethorpe 8 368.66x
Ashby De La Zouch 8 12.07x
Boston 8 6.39x
Kerry 8 45.02x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 204
Sarah 144
Elizabeth 83
Ann 64
Martha 55
Annie 52
Hannah 46
Jane 46
Emma 36
Alice 35
Eliza 35
Ellen 34
Clara 28
Emily 23
Edith 16
Anne 14
Harriet 14
Ada 13
Agnes 13
Florence 13
Frances 12
Louisa 12
Lucy 12
Fanny 11
Kate 10
Betty 9
Charlotte 9
Grace 9
Harriett 9
Caroline 8
Eleanor 8
Ethel 8
Gertrude 8
Lilly 8
Lydia 8
Maria 8
Amy 7
Bertha 7
Margaret 7
Nancy 6
Rebecca 6
Jessie 5
Rachel 5
Ruth 5
Sophia 5
Isabella 4
Laura 4
Lily 4
Priscilla 4
Rose 4

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 134
George 104
William 98
James 80
Thomas 74
Joseph 69
Charles 58
Henry 39
Harry 25
Albert 24
Arthur 24
Robert 23
Alfred 22
Edward 21
Samuel 20
Herbert 19
Walter 18
Fred 16
Frederick 16
Edwin 15
Frank 14
Richard 14
Benjamin 13
Ernest 13
Tom 13
David 11
Joe 11
Sam 10
Willie 9
Mark 7
Abraham 6
Chas. 6
Wm. 6
Edgar 5
Jno. 5
Moses 5
Francis 4
Harold 4
Jonas 4
Lewis 4
Peter 4
Thos. 4
Edmund 3
Isaac 3
J. 3
Jesse 3
Jonathan 3
Leonard 3
Squire 3
Wilfred 3

FAQ

Milnes surname: questions and answers

How common was the Milnes surname in 1881?

In 1881, 2,654 people were recorded with the Milnes surname. That placed it at #1,671 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Milnes surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 2,065 in 2016. That gives Milnes a modern rank of #3,131.

What does the Milnes surname mean?

A surname of Norman origin implying 'from the mill stream'.

What does the Milnes map show?

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