Milner History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms 

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The founding heritage of the Milner family is in the Anglo-Saxon culture that once dominated in Britain. The name Milner comes from when one of the family worked as a person who was a milner or more commonly know as a miller. The name is derived from the Anglo-Saxon name myln which meant mill. 1

"The surname is most common in the north and eastern counties, where Scandinavian influence was strong." 2

Early Origins of the Milner family

The surname Milner was first found in the West Riding of Yorkshire at Appleton-Roebuck and Nun-Appleton, a township, in the parish of Bolton-Percy, W. division of Ainsty wapentake. "This place comprises by computation 2800 acres, chiefly the property of the Milner family, whose splendid mansion, Nun-Appleton Hall, stands in an extensive and finely wooded park, near the confluence of the rivers Ouse and Wharfe: the house was built by Thomas, Lord Fairfax, on the site of a Cistercian priory for nuns, founded by Alice de St. Quintin at the commencement of the thirteenth century." 3

The Hundredorum Rolls had only one listing for the family, Robert le Melner in Derbyshire. The Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379 had two listings, the latter an occupational entry: Robertus Mylner; and Henricus Tele, milner. 4

The Subsidy Rolls for Worcestershire included John le Mulnare in 1275 and later, Robert le Milner was found in the Subsidy Rolls for Yorkshire in 1297. 2

In Scotland, entries were quite a bit later as "Andrew Mylnar leased part of the Grange of Abirbothry, 1454 and Paton Mylner, [was] tenant of Westhorn of Grange of Kerso, in 1478." 5

Early History of the Milner family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Milner research. Another 85 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1545, 1570, 1628, 1702, 1723, 1730, 1760, 1789, 1827, 1841, 1887 and 1897 are included under the topic Early Milner History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Milner Spelling Variations

The first dictionaries that appeared in the last few hundred years did much to standardize the English language. Before that time, spelling variations in names were a common occurrence. The language was changing, incorporating pieces of other languages, and the spelling of names changed with it. Milner has been spelled many different ways, including Milner, Milnor and others.

Early Notables of the Milner family

Distinguished members of the family include

Milner Ranking

In the United States, the name Milner is the 2,654th most popular surname with an estimated 12,435 people with that name. 6 However, in the United Kingdom, the name Milner is ranked the 721st most popular surname with an estimated 9,278 people with that name. 7


Milner migration to the United States +

Thousands of English families in this era began to emigrate the New World in search of land and freedom from religious and political persecution. Although the passage was expensive and the ships were dark, crowded, and unsafe, those who made the voyage safely were rewarded with opportunities unavailable to them in their homeland. Research into passenger and immigration lists has revealed some of the very first Milners to arrive in North America:

Milner Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
Milner Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
Milner Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Milner migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Milner Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

Milner migration to Australia +

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

Milner Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Milner 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:

Milner Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Contemporary Notables of the name Milner (post 1700) +
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