Show ContentsMills History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Mills Family Crest Download (JPG) Heritage Series - 600 DPI

Family Crest Download (JPG) Heritage Series - 600 DPI

Etymology of Mills

What does the name Mills mean?

The name Mills reached England in the great wave of migration following the Norman Conquest of 1066. The Mills family lived at or near a mill having derived from the Old English word mylen, which meant mill. 1 2

Early Origins of the Mills family

The surname Mills was first found in Hampshire. However, one branch of the family was found at Barford in Warwickshire since early times. " Under the chancel [in the church of Barford] is a vault for the family of Mills, to members of whom are five urns on pedestals in the chancel wall." 3

"This name is mostly confined to the southern half of England. Its chief homes are in Essex, Kent, Sussex, Hants, and Warwickshire. It is rare or infrequent in the south - west of England, where, in Cornwall and Devon, its place is to some extent supplied by Mill." 4

Some of the first records of the family include: Margery Mylys who was listed in the Hundredorum Rolls for Cambridgeshire in 1273; 5 and John Myls was listed in London in 1336. 6

Early History of the Mills family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Mills research. Another 128 words (9 lines of text) covering the years 1593, 1604, 1621, 1645, 1659, 1660, 1676, 1683, 1695, 1707, 1736, 1776, 1788, 1804, 1809, 1811, 1817, 1826, 1833 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Mills History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Mills Spelling Variations

Before the advent of the printing press and the first dictionaries, the English language was not standardized. Sound was what guided spelling in the Middle Ages, so one person's name was often recorded under several variations during a single lifetime. Spelling variations were common, even among the names of the most literate people. Known variations of the Mills family name include Mills, Mylles, Meiles and others.

Early Notables of the Mills family

  • Alfred Mills (1776-1833), the English draughtsman was a skilful designer of illustrations to small books of juvenile instruction, such as 'Pictures of Roman History in Miniature,' 1809, 'Pictures of E...
  • Charles Mills (1788-1826), the English historical writer, born on 29 July 1788 at Croom's Hill, Greenwich, was youngest son of Samuel Gillam Mills, surgeon. He was educated privately, and, after a bri...
  • John Mills (d. 1736), the English actor is said by Downes in his 'Roscius Anglicanus' to 'excel in Tragedy,' appears to have joined the company at Drury Lane and Dorset Garden after the secession in 1...

Mills World Ranking

the United States, the name Mills is the 152nd most popular surname with an estimated 151,707 people with that name. 7 However, in Canada, the name Mills is ranked the 207th most popular surname with an estimated 18,607 people with that name. 8 And in Newfoundland, Canada, the name Mills is the 195th popular surname with an estimated 214 people with that name. 9 Australia ranks Mills as 95th with 26,459 people. 10 New Zealand ranks Mills as 104th with 3,954 people. 11 The United Kingdom ranks Mills as 87th with 53,161 people. 12

Migration of the Mills family to Ireland

Some of the Mills family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 57 words (4 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Mills migration to the United States +

To escape the political and religious chaos of this era, thousands of English families began to migrate to the New World in search of land and freedom from religious and political persecution. The passage was expensive and the ships were dark, crowded, and unsafe; however, those who made the voyage safely were encountered opportunities that were not available to them in their homeland. Many of the families that reached the New World at this time went on to make important contributions to the emerging nations of the United States and Canada. Research into various historical records has revealed some of first members of the Mills family to immigrate North America:

Mills Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
  • John Mills, who arrived in Salem, Massachusetts in 1630 aboard the ship "Ambrose" as part of the Winthrop Fleet 14
  • Mrs. Susan Mills of Suffolk who arrived in Salem, Massachusetts in 1630 aboard the ship "Ambrose" as part of the Winthrop Fleet 14
  • Miss Joy Mills who arrived in Salem, Massachusetts in 1630 aboard the ship "Ambrose" as part of the Winthrop Fleet 15
  • Miss Mary Mills who arrived in Salem, Massachusetts in 1630 aboard the ship "Ambrose" as part of the Winthrop Fleet 15
  • Mr. John Mills who arrived in Salem, Massachusetts in 1630 aboard the ship "Ambrose" as part of the Winthrop Fleet 15
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Mills Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • Eliza Mills, who landed in Virginia in 1701 14
  • Sarah Mills, who arrived in Virginia in 1701 14
  • Anne Mills, who arrived in Virginia in 1714 14
  • David Mills, who landed in Maryland in 1716 14
  • Janus Mills, who landed in Virginia in 1741 14
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Mills Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Allen Mills, who landed in America in 1800 14
  • Frances Mills, aged 28, who landed in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1803 14
  • John Augustus Mills, who landed in New York in 1807 14
  • George Mills, who arrived in New York, NY in 1812 14
  • Andrew Mills, who landed in America in 1819 14
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Mills Settlers in United States in the 20th Century
  • Miss Vera Mills, (b. 1900), aged 3, Cornish settler travelling aboard the ship "Campania" arriving at Ellis Island, New York on 10th October 1903 en route to Globe, Arizona, USA 16
  • Miss Amy Mills, (b. 1892), aged 11, Cornish settler travelling aboard the ship "Campania" arriving at Ellis Island, New York on 10th October 1903 en route to Globe, Arizona, USA 16
  • Mrs. Eliza Mills, (b. 1868), aged 35, Cornish settler travelling aboard the ship "Campania" arriving at Ellis Island, New York on 10th October 1903 en route to Globe, Arizona, USA 16
  • Miss Mary Mills, (b. 1894), aged 9, Cornish settler travelling aboard the ship "Campania" arriving at Ellis Island, New York on 10th October 1903 en route to Globe, Arizona, USA 16
  • Gibson Mills, who arrived in Arkansas in 1906 14

Mills migration to Canada +

Mills Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century
  • Thomas Mills, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1749
  • Thomas Mills, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1750
  • Margaret Mills, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1750
  • Lydia Mills, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1750
  • John Mills, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1750
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Mills Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century
  • Charles Mills, aged 20, a farmer, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick aboard the ship "Leslie Gault" in 1833
  • Mary Mills, aged 20, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick aboard the ship "Leslie Gault" in 1833
  • Lillie Mills, aged 22, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1833 aboard the brig "Thomas Hanford" from Cork, Ireland
  • James Mills, aged 16, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1833 aboard the brig "Thomas Hanford" from Cork, Ireland
  • Joseph Mills, aged 40, a labourer, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1833 aboard the brig "Silestria" from Belfast, Ireland
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Mills migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia included the Second Fleet and Third Fleet of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Second Fleet
  • Mr. Benjamin Mills, British settler convicted in Somerset, England in 1790, sentenced to 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the ship "Third Fleet" leaving in 1790 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1791 13
  • Mr. James Mills, British settler convicted in Yorkshire, England in 1789, sentenced to 7 years for pickpocketing, transported aboard the ship "HMS Gorgon" leaving in 1790 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1791 14
  • Mr. James Mills, British settler convicted in Wiltshire, England in 1790, sentenced to 7 years for breaking and entry, transported aboard the ship "Britannia" leaving in 1790 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1791 14
  • Mr. Robert Mills, (d. 1792), British settler convicted in Kent, England in 1789, sentenced to 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the ship "William and Ann" leaving in 1790 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1791 14
  • Miss Sarah Mills, British settler convicted in Middlesex, England in 1790, sentenced to Life for theft, transported aboard the ship "Third Fleet" leaving in 1790 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1791 14
Third Fleet
  • Mr. Mathew Mills, (b. 1763), aged 24, English settler convicted in Oxford, Oxfordshire on 30th July 1783, sentenced for 7 years for highway robbery, transported aboard the ship "Friendship" leaving in 1787 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1788 14
Following the Second and Third Fleets, other convicts and early settlers arriving in Australia include:

Mills Settlers in Australia in the 18th Century
  • Mr. John Mills, English convict who was convicted in Middlesex, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Barwell" in September 1797, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 17
Mills Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Mills migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Mills Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
  • Mr. Mills, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "George Fyffe" arriving in Wellington, New Zealand on 7th November 1842 22
  • Mrs. Mills, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "George Fyffe" arriving in Wellington, New Zealand on 7th November 1842 22
  • Child Mills, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "George Fyffe" arriving in Wellington, New Zealand on 7th November 1842 22
  • Charles Mills, aged 38, a carpenter, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Birman" in 1842
  • Elizabeth Sophia Mills, aged 40, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Birman" in 1842
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Mills migration to West Indies +

The British first settled the British West Indies around 1604. They made many attempts but failed in some to establish settlements on the Islands including Saint Lucia and Grenada. By 1627 they had managed to establish settlements on St. Kitts (St. Christopher) and Barbados, but by 1641 the Spanish had moved in and destroyed some of these including those at Providence Island. The British continued to expand the settlements including setting the First Federation in the British West Indies by 1674; some of the islands include Barbados, Bermuda, Cayman Island, Turks and Caicos, Jamaica and Belize then known as British Honduras. By the 1960's many of the islands became independent after the West Indies Federation which existed from 1958 to 1962 failed due to internal political conflicts. After this a number of Eastern Caribbean islands formed a free association. 23
Mills Settlers in West Indies in the 17th Century
  • Mr. Robert Mills, aged 19, British settler travelling from Gravesend, UK aboard the ship "Hopewell" arriving in Barbados on 17th February 1634 14

Contemporary Notables of the name Mills (post 1700) +

  • James "Jim" Mills (1966-2024), American bluegrass banjo player who played in the three-finger style popularized by Earl Scruggs, known for his work with Ricky Skaggs and Kentucky Thunder for 14 years
  • Richard Henry Mills (1929-2023), American jurist, United States district judge of the United States District Court for the Central District of Illinois
  • Samuel Davis "Sam" Mills Jr. (1959-2005), American football linebacker who played twelve seasons in the National Football League (NFL) for the New Orleans Saints and Carolina Panthers, inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2022
  • Charles Wade Mills (1951-2021), English-born, American philosopher, Distinguished Professor of Philosophy at Graduate Center, CUNY, and John Evans Professor of Moral and Intellectual Philosophy at Northwestern University
  • Morton J. "Chuck" Mills (1928-2021), American head college football coach for Pomona College (1957–1961), Indiana University of Pennsylvania (1962–1963), the United States Merchant Marine Academy (1964), Utah State University (1967–1972), Wake Forest University (1973–1977), Southern Oregon University (1980–1988), and the United States Coast Guard Academy (1997)
  • Dorothy Seymour Mills (1928-2019), American baseball author, historian and researcher from Cleveland, Ohio
  • Richard Paul Mills (1944-2017), American educator, 12th Commissioner of Education of the State of New York (1995-2009)
  • Sherron Mills (1971-2016), American NBA basketball player
  • Corporal James Henry Mills (1923-1973), American soldier awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor in 1944
  • ... (Another 210 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
HMS Hood
  • Mr. Ronald W Mills (b. 1919), English Stoker 1st Class serving for the Royal Navy from Godshill, Isle of Wight, England, who sailed into battle and died in the HMS Hood sinking 24
  • Mr. Raymond E Mills (b. 1917), English Stoker 2nd Class serving for the Royal Navy from Swindon, Wiltshire, England, who sailed into battle and died in the HMS Hood sinking 25
  • Mr. Montague D Mills (b. 1920), English Marine serving for the Royal Marine from Eling, Hampshire, England, who sailed into battle and died in the HMS Hood sinking 25
  • Mr. Harry J Mills (b. 1923), English Ordinary Seaman serving for the Royal Navy from Mytchett, Farnham, Surrey, England, who sailed into battle and died in the HMS Hood sinking 25
  • Mr. Campbell R F Mills (b. 1921), English Ordinary Seaman serving for the Royal Navy from Croydon, Surrey, England, who sailed into battle and died in the HMS Hood sinking 25
  • ... (Another 19 entries are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

The Mills 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: Honor virtutis pretium
Motto Translation: Honour is the reward of virtue.

Suggested Readings for the name Mills +

  • The Mill Family of West Virginia and Eastern Kentucky by Roger L. Mills.
  • Pamunkey Neighbors of Orange County, Virginia: Transcriptions from the Original Files of County Court in Virginia, Kentucky, and Missouri of Wills, Deeds, Order Book & Marriages as well as some Family Lines.
  1. Smith, Eldson Coles, New Dictionary of American Family Names New York: Harper & Row, 1956. Print
  2. Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
  3. Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
  4. Guppy, Henry Brougham, Homes of Family Names in Great Britain. 1890. Print.
  5. Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
  6. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
  7. "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
  8. "Surnames Meanings, Origins & Distribution Maps - Forebears." Forebears, https://forebears.io/surnames
  9. The order of Common Surnames in 1955 in Newfoundland retrieved on 20th October 2021 (retrieved from Family Names of the Island of Newfoundland by E.R. Seary corrected edition ISBN 0-7735-1782-0)
  10. "Most Common Last Names in Australia." Forebears, https://forebears.io/australia/surnames
  11. "Most Common Last Names in New Zealand." Forebears, https://forebears.io/new-zealand/surnames
  12. "UK surname ranking." UK Surname map, https://www.surnamemap.eu/unitedkingdom/surnames_ranking.php?p=10
  13. Convict Records of Australia. Retrieved 4th February 2021 from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships
  14. 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)
  15. Pilgrim Ship's of 1600's. Retrieved January 6th 2023 from https://www.packrat-pro.com/ships/shiplist.htm
  16. Cornwall Online Parish Clerks. (Retrieved 3rd May 2018). Retrieved from http://www.opc-cornwall.org/Resc/pdfs/emigration_ellis_island_1892_on.pdf
  17. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 29th September 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/barwell
  18. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 25th November 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/calcutta
  19. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 24th October 2022). https://convictrecords.com.au
  20. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 27th September 2022). https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/fairlie
  21. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 16th September 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/baring
  22. New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 17th October 2018). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
  23. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_West_Indies
  24. H.M.S. Hood Association-Battle Cruiser Hood: Crew Information - H.M.S. Hood Rolls of Honour, Men Lost in the Sinking of H.M.S. Hood, 24th May 1941. (Retrieved 2016, July 15) . Retrieved from http://www.hmshood.com/crew/memorial/roh_24may41.htm

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