Show ContentsMilliken History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The Milliken surname is an Anglicized form of the Gaelic Patronymic Ó Maolagáin, or "descendant of Maolagán," which is composed of the element "maol," meaning "bald’."

Early Origins of the Milliken family

The surname Milliken was first found in County Donegal (Irish: Dún na nGall), northwest Ireland in the province of Ulster, sometimes referred to as County Tyrconnel, where they held a family seat from very ancient times.

Early History of the Milliken family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Milliken research. Another 71 words (5 lines of text) covering the year 1431 is included under the topic Early Milliken History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Milliken Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Mulligan, O'Mulligan, Mullican, Mullighan, Mulliken and many more.

Early Notables of the Milliken family

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

Milliken Ranking

In the United States, the name Milliken is the 4,302nd most popular surname with an estimated 7,461 people with that name. 1


United States Milliken migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Milliken Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
  • Hugh Milliken, who landed in Massachusetts in 1650 2
Milliken Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • W Milliken, who landed in New York, NY in 1816 2
  • D Milliken, who arrived in San Francisco, California in 1851 2
  • John, Samuel and Thomas Milliken, who settled in Philadelphia between 1800 and 1860
  • Mary A Milliken, aged 26, who arrived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1864 2

Canada Milliken migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Milliken Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century
  • Mr. Benjamin Milliken Sr., U.E., (Millican) (b. 1728) born in Boston, Massachusetts, USA from Castine, Hancock County, Maine, USA who settled in St. Andrews, Charlotte County, New Brunswick c. 1784 member of the Penobscot Association, married three times having 18 children, he died in 1791 3
  • Mr. Benjamin Milliken Jr., U.E., (Millican) born in Penobscot, Maine, USA who settled in Charlotte County, New Brunswick c. 1784 3

Australia Milliken migration to Australia +

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

Milliken Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • S.W. Milliken, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Abberton" in 1849 4
  • Ann Milliken, aged 23, a housemaid, who arrived in South Australia in 1854 aboard the ship "Emerald Isle" 5
  • Mary Milliken, aged 37, a house servant, who arrived in South Australia in 1854 aboard the ship "Emerald Isle" 5
  • James Milliken (aged 26), a labourer, who arrived in South Australia in 1856 aboard the ship "Gomelza"

Contemporary Notables of the name Milliken (post 1700) +

  • Roger Milliken (1915-2010), American businessman, President and then CEO of the family's company, Milliken & Company (1947-2005)
  • Helen Wallbank Milliken (1922-2012), American women's rights activist, environmentalist, and former First Lady of Michigan
  • William F. Milliken Jr. (1911-2012), American aerospace engineer, automotive engineer and racecar driver from Old Town, Maine
  • James B. Milliken (1900-1988), American jurist and Democratic politician
  • Charles William Milliken (1827-1915), U.S. Representative from Kentucky
  • Seth Llewellyn Milliken (1831-1897), U.S. Representative from Maine
  • Carl Elias Milliken (1877-1961), U.S. Republican and Progressive Party politician
  • Robert Fogle Milliken (1926-2007), reliever and spot starter in Major League Baseball
  • Roger Milliken (1915-2010), U.S. textile heir and businessman
  • William Grawn Milliken (b. 1922), American politician, 44th Governor of Michigan (1969-1983)
  • ... (Another 4 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)


The Milliken 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: Look carefully.


  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. Rubincam, Milton. The Old United Empire Loyalists List. Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc, 1976. (Originally published as; United Empire Loyalists. The Centennial of the Settlement of Upper Canada. Rose Publishing Company, 1885.) ISBN 0-8063-0331-X
  4. State Records of South Australia. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) The ABBERTON 1849. Retrieved from http://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/BSA/1849Abberton.htm
  5. South Australian Register Tuesday 17th January 1854. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) Emerald Isle 1854. Retrieved http://www.theshipslist.com/ships/australia/emeraldisle1854.shtml


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