Show ContentsMillers History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Etymology of Millers

What does the name Millers mean?

Millers is a name that was carried to England in the great wave of migration from Normandy following the Norman Conquest of 1066. The Millers family lived in Herefordshire. Occupational names frequently were derived from the principal object associated with the activity of the original bearer, such as tools or products. In this case, this surname likely also was derived from the trade name for a miner. 1

Early Origins of the Millers family

The surname Millers was first found in Herefordshire. "This gallant Norman family appears to have been rewarded by grants of land in Herefordshire. Certain it is that the estate of Treago in that county has been held by the family of Mynors from the era of the Conquest even to the present day, [c.1880] being now possessed by Peter Rickards Mynors Esq., who also represents the great and historic house of Baskerville of Erdesley, and derives in direct descent from the royal line of Plantagenet. " 2

We did find this interesting entry about this family: "A Herefordshire family of this name claims to have been seated at Treago, in that county, from the time of the Conquest: but their pedigree only begins in the fourteenth century with John de Miners, Constable of the Castle of St. Briavel under Edward II. The name, however, is found much earlier, as Gislebert and Henry de Mineriis occur in Palgrave's Rotuli Curia Regis of 1198. They held of the Honour of Breteuil in Normandy." 3

Early History of the Millers family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Millers research. Another 104 words (7 lines of text) covering the years 1066, 1500, 1501, 1608, 1609, 1629, 1654, 1660, 1677, 1690 and 1720 are included under the topic Early Millers History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Millers Spelling Variations

Before English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago, spelling variations of names were a common occurrence. Elements of Latin, Norman French and other languages became incorporated into English throughout the Middle Ages, and name spellings changed even among the literate. The variations of the surname Millers include Mynors, Minors, Miners, Mynor, Myner, Miner and others.

Early Notables of the Millers family

Outstanding amongst the family at this time was Richard Miners, English politician, High Sheriff of Herefordshire in 1501; Thomas Minors (1609-1677), an English merchant and politician who sat in the House of Commons...
Another 32 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Millers Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Millers family

In England at this time, the uncertainty of the political and religious environment of the time caused many families to board ships for distant British colonies in the hopes of finding land and opportunity, and escaping persecution. The voyages were expensive, crowded, and difficult, though, and many arrived in North America sick, starved, and destitute. Those who did make it, however, were greeted with greater opportunities and freedoms that they could have experienced at home. Many of those families went on to make important contributions to the young nations in which they settled. Early immigration records have shown some of the first Millerss to arrive on North American shores: Anne Mynor and her husband who settled in Virginia in 1637; John Minor settled in Virginia in 1663; Samuel Minor settled in New York in 1663; Thomas Minor settled in Conn. in 1630.



  1. Smith, Eldson Coles, New Dictionary of American Family Names New York: Harper & Row, 1956. Print
  2. Burke, John Bernard, The Roll of Battle Abbey. London: Edward Churton, 26, Holles Street, 1848, Print.
  3. Cleveland, Dutchess of The Battle Abbey Roll with some Account of the Norman Lineages. London: John Murray, Abermarle Street, 1889. Print. Volume 2 of 3


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