Milite History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Italy
Ireland

Etymology of Milite

What does the name Milite mean?

Milite is an ancient Norman name that arrived in England after the Norman Conquest of 1066. The Milite family lived in Buckinghamshire. The name, however, is reference to the family's place of residence prior to the Norman Conquest of England in 1066, Miall, Normandy. Alternatively, the name could have been a "metonymic occupational name for a grower or seller of millet or panic grass, from the Old French word 'milium' " 1

Early Origins of the Milite family

The surname Milite was first found in various counties and shires throughout Britain as seen in the Hundredorum Rolls of 1273: Roger Millot in Nottinghamshire; and John Milot in Huntingdonshire. The Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379 lists: Willelmus Melot; Johannes Millot; Matilda Millot; and Rogerus Millotson. 2 The History and Antiquities of North Durham, by Rev. James Raine in 1852 lists the following family in Durham: John Mylote in 1380; William Melot in 1433; and Robert Millot in 1512.

Early History of the Milite family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Milite research. Another 74 words (5 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Milite History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Milite Spelling Variations

Norman surnames are characterized by a multitude of spelling variations. The frequent changes in surnames are largely due to the fact that the Old and Middle English languages lacked definite spelling rules. The introduction of Norman French to England, as well as the official court languages of Latin and French, also had pronounced influences on the spelling of surnames. Since medieval scribes and church officials recorded names as they sounded, rather than adhering to any specific spelling rules, it was common to find the same individual referred to with different spellings. The name has been spelled Millet, Millett and others.

Early Notables of the Milite family

More information is included under the topic Early Milite Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Milite family to Ireland

Some of the Milite 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.

Migration of the Milite family

Many English families emigrated to North American colonies in order to escape the political chaos in Britain at this time. Unfortunately, many English families made the trip to the New World under extremely harsh conditions. Overcrowding on the ships caused the majority of the immigrants to arrive diseased, famished, and destitute from the long journey across the stormy Atlantic. Despite these hardships, many of the families prospered and went on to make invaluable contributions to the development of the cultures of the United States and Canada. Early North American immigration records have revealed a number of people bearing the name Milite or a variant listed above: Francis Millet, who arrived in Virginia in 1623; Richard Millet, who came to Boston in 1630; Thomas Millet and his wife Maria, who settled in New England in 1635.

Sources +

Hanks, Patricia and Flavia Hodges, A Dictionary of Surnames. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1988. Print. (ISBN 0-19-211592-8)
Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)