Milward

Milward is an ancient English surname with Anglo-Saxon origins. The name is derived from the Old English personal name 'Mylnweard', which combines the elements 'myln', meaning 'mill', and 'weard', meaning 'guardian' or 'protector'. This suggests that the original bearers of the surname may have been mill guardians or overseers.

The earliest recorded instance of the surname Milward dates back to the 11th century in the Domesday Book, a comprehensive survey of England and Wales commissioned by William the Conqueror in 1086. The name spread throughout the country during the Middle Ages, with multiple branches of the Milward family establishing themselves in different regions.

The Milward surname has endured over the centuries, with variant spellings including "Mylnward" and "Millward". The name has featured prominently in various historical records, such as parish registers, census data, and heraldic documents. Notable individuals bearing the Milward surname have made contributions in diverse fields ranging from academia to politics.

Today, the surname Milward persists as a proud symbol of English heritage and ancestry. Families with this surname can be found across the United Kingdom and beyond, with descendants continuing to honour the legacy of their forebears.

There are approximately 1,589 people named Milward in the UK. That makes it roughly the 5,108th most common surname in Britain. Around 24 in a million people in Britain are named Milward.

Surname type: Occupational name

Origin: English

Region of origin: British Isles

Country of origin: England

Religion of origin: Christian

Language of origin: English

Typical given names associated with the surname

Male

  • Andrew
  • Anthony
  • David
  • James
  • John
  • Jonathan
  • Mark
  • Paul
  • Robert
  • Stephen

Female

  • Andrea
  • Anne
  • Elizabeth
  • Iris
  • Jacqueline
  • Jane
  • Janet
  • Jennifer
  • Karen
  • Margaret
  • Rebecca
  • Sarah
  • Susan

Similar and related surnames

Related and similar names are generated algorithmically based on the spelling, and may not necessarily share an etymology.

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