Mills History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Scotland
Ireland

Etymology of Mills

What does the name Mills mean?

The Mills surname is derived from the Old English word "mylen," and the Middle English "mille, or milne," all of which meant "mill." Thus the name was probably originally taken on by someone who owned or lived near a mill.

Early Origins of the Mills family

The surname Mills was first found in Hampshire, where they held a family seat from very early times and were granted lands by Duke William of Normandy, their liege Lord, for their distinguished assistance at the Battle of Hastings in 1066 A.D.

Early History of the Mills family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Mills research. Another 114 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1445, 1483, 1499, 1510, 1567, 1600, 1645, 1707 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

Spelling variations of this family name include: Mills, Mylles, Meiles and others.

Early Notables of the Mills family

Another 42 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Mills Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Mills World Ranking

the United States, the name Mills is the 152^nd most popular surname with an estimated 151,707 people with that name. 1 However, in Canada, the name Mills is ranked the 207^th most popular surname with an estimated 18,607 people with that name. 2 And in Newfoundland, Canada, the name Mills is the 195^th popular surname with an estimated 214 people with that name. 3 Australia ranks Mills as 95^th with 26,459 people. 4 New Zealand ranks Mills as 104^th with 3,954 people. 5 The United Kingdom ranks Mills as 87^th with 53,161 people. 6

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 +

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 8
Mrs. Susan Mills of Suffolk who arrived in Salem, Massachusetts in 1630 aboard the ship "Ambrose" as part of the Winthrop Fleet 8
Miss Joy Mills who arrived in Salem, Massachusetts in 1630 aboard the ship "Ambrose" as part of the Winthrop Fleet 9
Miss Mary Mills who arrived in Salem, Massachusetts in 1630 aboard the ship "Ambrose" as part of the Winthrop Fleet 9
Mr. John Mills who arrived in Salem, Massachusetts in 1630 aboard the ship "Ambrose" as part of the Winthrop Fleet 9
... (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 8
Sarah Mills, who arrived in Virginia in 1701 8
Anne Mills, who arrived in Virginia in 1714 8
David Mills, who landed in Maryland in 1716 8
Janus Mills, who landed in Virginia in 1741 8
... (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 8
Frances Mills, aged 28, who landed in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1803 8
John Augustus Mills, who landed in New York in 1807 8
George Mills, who arrived in New York, NY in 1812 8
Andrew Mills, who landed in America in 1819 8
... (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 10
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 10
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 10
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 10
Gibson Mills, who arrived in Arkansas in 1906 8

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 7
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 8
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 8
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 8
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 8

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 8

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 11

Mills Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Mr. John Mills, (Pollard), (b. 1791), aged 12, British convict who was convicted in Middlesex, England for 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the "Calcutta" in February 1803, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 12
Mr. James Mills, English convict who was convicted in Portsmouth, Hampshire, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Fame" on 9th October 1816, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 13
Mr. John Mills, English convict who was convicted in Berkshire, England for life, transported aboard the "Baring" in December 1818, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 14
Mr. Thomas Mills, (b. 1780), aged 38, English convict who was convicted in Berkshire, England for life, transported aboard the "Baring" in December 1818, arriving in New South Wales, Australia, he died in 1842 14
Mr. John Mills, English convict who was convicted in Surrey, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Eliza" on 22nd September 1819, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 15
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

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 16
Mrs. Mills, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "George Fyffe" arriving in Wellington, New Zealand on 7th November 1842 16
Child Mills, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "George Fyffe" arriving in Wellington, New Zealand on 7th November 1842 16
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. 17

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 8

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.)

Historic Events for the Mills family +

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 18
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 19
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 19
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 19
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 19
... (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: Ex industria
Motto Translation: Through industry.

Sources +

"What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
"Surnames Meanings, Origins & Distribution Maps - Forebears." Forebears, https://forebears.io/surnames
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)
"Most Common Last Names in Australia." Forebears, https://forebears.io/australia/surnames
"Most Common Last Names in New Zealand." Forebears, https://forebears.io/new-zealand/surnames
"UK surname ranking." UK Surname map, https://www.surnamemap.eu/unitedkingdom/surnames_ranking.php?p=10
Convict Records of Australia. Retrieved 4th February 2021 from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships
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)
Pilgrim Ship's of 1600's. Retrieved January 6th 2023 from https://www.packrat-pro.com/ships/shiplist.htm
Cornwall Online Parish Clerks. (Retrieved 3rd May 2018). Retrieved from http://www.opc-cornwall.org/Resc/pdfs/emigration_ellis_island_1892_on.pdf
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 29th September 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/barwell
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 25th November 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/calcutta
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 27th September 2022). https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/fairlie
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 16th September 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/baring
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 10th February 2022). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/eliza
New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 17th October 2018). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_West_Indies
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