Show ContentsMillikin History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Millikin was first used as a surname in the Scottish/English Borderlands by the Strathclyde-Briton. The first Millikin family lived in Wigtown, a former royal burgh in the Machars of Galloway in the south west of Scotland. This burgh is first mentioned in an indenture of 1292, and the fact that the sheriffdom was in existence at the time of the Largs campaign of 1263 suggests that the burgh may also have been recognized as such during the reign of Alexander III.

Early Origins of the Millikin family

The surname Millikin was first found in Wigtownshire (Gaelic: Siorrachd Bhaile na h-Uige), formerly a county in southwestern Scotland, now part of the Council Area of Dumfries and Galloway, where they held a family seat from early times and their first records appeared on the early census rolls taken by the early Kings of Scotland to determine the rate of taxation of their subjects.

Early History of the Millikin family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Millikin research. Another 131 words (9 lines of text) covering the years 1296, 1526, 1612 and 1688 are included under the topic Early Millikin History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Millikin Spelling Variations

Medieval Scottish names are rife with spelling variations. This is due to the fact that scribes in that era spelled according to the sound of words, rather than any set of rules. Millikin has been spelled Milligan, Millicen, Millicken, Milliken, Milligan and many more.

Early Notables of the Millikin family

More information is included under the topic Early Millikin Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Millikin Ranking

In the United States, the name Millikin is the 18,561st most popular surname with an estimated 2,487 people with that name. 1

Ireland Migration of the Millikin family to Ireland

Some of the Millikin family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt. More information about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


United States Millikin migration to the United States +

Many Scots were left with few options other than to leave their homeland for the colonies across the Atlantic. Some of these families fought to defend their newfound freedom in the American War of Independence. Others went north to Canada as United Empire Loyalists. The ancestors of all of these families have recently been able to rediscover their roots through Clan societies and other Scottish organizations. Among them:

Millikin Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • David Millikin, aged 30, who landed in New York, NY in 1812 2
  • W Millikin, who arrived in New York, NY in 1816 2
  • Samuel Millikin, who arrived in Philadelphia in 1831
  • Andrew Millikin, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1832 2
  • Thomas Millikin, who landed in Allegany (Allegheny) County, Pennsylvania in 1840 2
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Australia Millikin migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Millikin Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • Bridget Millikin, aged 32, a servant, who arrived in South Australia in 1855 aboard the ship "Constantine"

Contemporary Notables of the name Millikin (post 1700) +

  • Major-General John Millikin (1888-1970), American Major-General, Commanding Officer 6th Cavalry Regiment (1939-09-01) 3
  • Kerry Millikin, American equestrian rider
  • Jeffrey Holt Millikin, American Libertarian politician, Candidate for U.S. Representative from Wisconsin 9th District, 1992 4
  • James S. Millikin, American Republican politician, Delegate to Republican National Convention from Louisiana, 1920 (alternate), 1924 4
  • James Millikin, American Republican politician, Delegate to Republican National Convention from Illinois, 1888 4
  • Eugene Donald Millikin (1891-1958), American Republican politician, U.S. Senator from Colorado, 1941-57; Delegate to Republican National Convention from Colorado, 1944, 1948, 1952, 1956 4
  • Earl Millikin, American Democratic Party politician, Alternate Delegate to Democratic National Convention from Washington, 1940; Mayor of Seattle, Washington, 1941-42; Defeated, 1942 4
  • James Millikin Bevans (1899-1977), American Major General in the United States Air Force awarded the Distinguished Service Medal, the Legion of Merit, and the Bronze Star Medal

USS Arizona
  • Mr. Donald H. Millikin, American Seaman Second Class working aboard the ship "USS Arizona" when she sunk during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on 7th December 1941, he survived the sinking 5


The Millikin Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Regarde Bien
Motto Translation: Attend well.


  1. "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
  2. Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
  3. Generals of World War II. (Retrieved 2014, March 26) John Millikin. Retrieved from http://generals.dk/general/Millikin/John/USA.html
  4. The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2016, January 12) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html
  5. Pearl Harbour: USS Arizona Casualties List Pearl Harbour December 7, 1941. (Retrieved 2018, July 31st). Retrieved from http://pearl-harbor.com/arizona/casualtylist.html


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