MILWAY
Milway
Milway is an Anglo-Saxon surname of English origin, derived from the Old English personal name "Milde" meaning gentle or mild, combined with "weg" which means way or road. The surname Milway is classified as a habitation name, referring to people who lived near a mill or were associated with a particular village or road.
History and Distribution
The surname Milway is predominantly found in the south-west of England, with concentrations in counties such as Worcestershire, Gloucestershire, and Herefordshire. It is believed that the name originated in these regions and spread to other parts of the country over time.
Notable Individuals
- John Milway (1805–1879): A notable British architect known for his work on several churches and public buildings in the 19th century.
- Sarah Milway (b. 1980): An accomplished British artist renowned for her landscape paintings inspired by the countryside of the West Country.
Variants
Variants of the surname Milway include Milward, Mildway, Millway, and Melloway. These variations may have arisen due to the phonetic evolution of the name over different historical periods.
References
- Reaney, P. H., & Wilson, R. M. (1995). A Dictionary of English Surnames. Oxford University Press.
- Hanks, P., Coates, R., & McClure, P. (2016). The Oxford Dictionary of Family Names in Britain and Ireland. Oxford University Press.
The surname Milway carries with it a rich heritage and is a testament to the enduring influence of Anglo-Saxon culture in Britain.
There are approximately 90 people named Milway in the UK. That makes it one of Britain's least common surnames. Only around one in a million people in Britain are named Milway.
Similar and related surnames
Related and similar names are generated algorithmically based on the spelling, and may not necessarily share an etymology.