First found in Dumfriesshire, where the Miller family was seated from ancient times. One line had its ancestral seat at Dalswinton, Dumfriesshire. During the Middle Ages, occupational names were frequently recorded in Latin; thus, one who worked at a mill would have been documented under the name Milendinarius, Le Molendinator, or De Molendino. The modern spellings "Miller" and "Millar" came into general use about 1500; earlier documents usually show the name in Latin.

To escape the uncertainties and discrimination faced in Scotland, many decided to head out for North America. Once they arrived, many Scots fought with relish in the American War of Independence; some went north to Canada as United Empire Loyalists. Many ancestors of these Scots have recovered their lost national heritage in the 20th century through clan organizations and Scottish historical societies. Among the settlers to North America were: John Millar, who arrived in St. John's, Newfoundland in 1705; Daniel Millar, who settled in Maryland in 1714; George Millar, who was recorded as a runaway servant, convict, or slave in Delaware in 1754.

Motto Translated: The best things await us in heaven.

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