MILLS
Mills is a surname of English origin, historically linked to the occupation and locality of a mill. The name derives from the Middle English word mille or milne, itself a successor to the Old English pre‑7th‑century term mylen(e), which was borrowed from the Latin molina (from molere, “to grind”).
The suffix -s in Mills functions as a patronymic marker, indicating “son of the mill‑keeper” or “son of the miller”. Initially a topographical designation for a person who dwelt near a mill, the name gradually acquired an occupational sense, being applied to those who worked at, owned, or managed a mill. In medieval English and Scottish communities the mill was a central institution, often powered by water, wind or animal labour, and operated by an agent of the local landowner. Villagers were obliged to bring their corn to the mill for grinding and to remit a portion of the grain as payment.
Historical records document early bearers of the name. The earliest recognised spelling is Richard de la Melle, recorded in the Curia Regis Rolls of Sussex in the year 1200 during the reign of King John (1199‑1216). Another early entry appears in the Hundred Rolls of Cambridgeshire in 1279, where a Richard Mille is listed. Over the centuries the surname has produced a variety of derived forms, including Mill, Millis, Mille, Milne(s), Millman and Mullen.
In the modern era the surname Mills is well established throughout the English‑speaking world. Notable individuals include George Mills (1808‑1881), an iron‑steam‑ship builder who later became a journalist and founded the Glasgow Advertiser and Shipping Gazette in 1857. The name continues to be associated with the historic role of the miller, a respected position within medieval society and a lasting element of British onomastic heritage.
Typical given names associated with the Mills surname
Male
- Andrew
- Christopher
- David
- John
- Michael
- Paul
- Peter
- Richard
- Robert
- Stephen
Female
- Elizabeth
- Helen
- Julie
- Karen
- Margaret
- Mary
- Nicola
- Patricia
- Sarah
- Susan
Similar and related surnames
- Milles
- Miles
- Millson
- Males
- Mall
- Maillis
- Mallis
- Mallos
- Mallas
- Malos
- Malis
- Malas
- Mylles
- Mylls
- Malls
- Mails
- Mallus
- Mailis
- Mill
- Milla
- Mailes
- Malaise
- Malaos
- Malasi
- Malass
- Malaws
- Maleece
- Malesa
- Malessa
- Malice
- Malici
- Malies
- Malisa
- Malisz
- Malius
- Malizi
- Malizia
- Mallace
- Malles
- Mallice
- Mallios
- Mallous
- Mallows
- Mallozzi
- Malusa
- Malys
- Malysa
- Malysz
- Malz
- Maules
- Mauls
- Mawles
- Mayles
- Maylis
- Meales
- Meall
- Mealls
- Meals
- Meelis
- Meell
- Mehlis
- Meil
- Meills
- Melas
- Meles
- Melesi
- Melesse
- Melias
- Melice
- Melici
- Melis
- Melise
- Melisi
- Melissa
- Melisse
- Melius
- Mell
- Mellace
- Mellas
- Melle
- Melles
- Mellese
- Melless
- Mellies
- Mellis
- Melliss
- Mellos
- Mellows
- Mells
- Mellues
- Melluso
- Melsa
- Melusi
- Melzi
- Meyles
- Miaoulis
- Mieles
- Miell
- Miells
- Mielly
- Miels
- Mil
- Milas
- Milazzo
- Milce
- Milesi
- Milici
- Milios
- Milis
- Milius
- Milizia
- Millais
- Millas
- Mille
- Milless
- Millias
- Millis
- Milliss
- Millus
- Millz
- Milos
- Milosz
- Mils
- Milus
- Milz
- Mlews
- Moales
- Moiles
- Moils
- Molas
- Moles
- Molis
- Molisso
- Molles
- Mollis
- Molls
- Moloce
- Molossi
- Mols
- Molsa
- Molus
- Molz
- Moulas
- Moules
- Moulis
- Moulls
- Moulos
- Mouls
- Moulse
- Moulso
- Mowles
- Moyles
- Mulas
- Mules
- Muliss
- Mulles
- Mullias
- Mullice
- Mulliez
- Mullis
- Mulliss
- Mulls
- Muls
- Mulse
- Myles
- Mylis
- Mylius
- Myllys
Related and similar names are generated algorithmically based on the spelling, and may not necessarily share an etymology.
How to communicate the surname Mills in...
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There are approximately 68,925 people named Mills in the UK. That makes it the 91st most common surname in Britain. Around 1,058 in a million people in Britain are named Mills.
Origin: English
Region of origin: British Isles
Country of origin: England
Religion of origin: Christian
Language of origin: English
Famous people named Mills
- Heather Mills - Former glamour model, activist
- Juliet Mills - Actress
- Hayley Mills - Actress
- John Mills - Actor (1908 to 2005)
- Dylan Kwabena Mills - Grime MC, songwriter and record producer
- Crispian Mills - Rock musician and film director
- Eleanor Laura Davan Mills - Blogger, entrepreneur
- Scott Mills - Radio DJ, television presenter and occasional actor
- Freddie Mills - Boxer (1919 to 1965)
- Danny Mills - Football player
- Matt Mills - Football player
- Mrs Mills - Pianist (1918 to 1978)
- Joseph Mills - Football player
- Pat Mills - Comic writer
- Mick Mills - Football player and manager
- Gary Mills - Football player and manager
- Che Mills - Martial artist
- Michael Mills - Producer and director (1919 to 1988)
- Bob Mills - Comedian
- Danny Mills - Football player
Names and descriptions courtesy of Wikipedia, and may contain errors. This is not intended to be an exhaustive list of every famous person with this name.