Milliken History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:

Scotland

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The ancient Scottish name Milliken was first used by the Strathclyde-Briton people of the Scottish/English Borderlands. The original bearer of the name 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 Milliken family

The surname Milliken 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 Milliken family

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

Milliken Spelling Variations

The many spelling variations in Medieval Scottish names result from the fact that scribes in that era spelled words according to sound. Translation too, was an undeveloped science, and many names were altered into complete obscurity. Over the years Milliken has been spelled Milligan, Millicen, Millicken, Milliken, Milligan and many more.

Early Notables of the Milliken family

Notable amongst the family at this time was

Robert Milliken

Milliken Ranking

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

Migration of the Milliken family to Ireland

Some of the Milliken 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.

Milliken migration to the United States +

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:

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

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

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: Attend well.