Show ContentsMiller History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Miller Family Crest Download (JPG) Heritage Series - 600 DPI

Family Crest Download (JPG) Heritage Series - 600 DPI

Etymology of Miller

What does the name Miller mean?

The Miller family name has long been found in region known today as the Netherlands. It is unclear whether the name moved to the region from Germany, or arose independently in Holland. Miller is an occupational name for a miller, derived from the Old Germanic "Mulinari."

Early Origins of the Miller family

The surname Miller was first found in Southern Germany, where they were established in the Middle Ages. The name is the German form of the Latin name "Molinarius," "Mulinari" in Old German. The modern form of the name, Mueller, is documented early on in the chronicles of Swabia, wherein the knight Conrad von Husen is noted as having become known as Mueller for his ownership of a mill.

Early History of the Miller family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Miller research. Another 238 words (17 lines of text) covering the years 1610, 1630, 1668, 1670, 1676, 1693, 1752 and 1807 are included under the topic Early Miller History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Miller Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Mueller, Muller, Mueler, Muler, Miller, Moeller, Moller, Muellner, Milner, Molner, Molenauer, Molenaar and many more.

Early Notables of the Miller family

Another 36 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Miller Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Miller World Ranking

the United Kingdom, the name Miller is the 54th most popular surname with an estimated 76,379 people with that name. 1 However, in Australia, the name Miller is ranked the 38th most popular surname with an estimated 45,832 people with that name. 2 And in New Zealand, the name Miller is the 36th popular surname with an estimated 5,567 people with that name. 3 Canada ranks Miller as 18th with 63,126 people. 4 Quebec, Canada ranks Miller as 512nd. 5 Newfoundland, Canada ranks Miller as 49th with 480 people. 6 The United States ranks Miller as 7th with 1,054,488 people. 7 France ranks Miller as 3,361st with 2,000 - 2,500 people. 8 Russia ranks Miller as 383rd with 41,539 people. 9 South Africa ranks Miller as 560th with 12,463 people. 10

Miller migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia included the First Fleet, Second Fleet and Third Fleet of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

First Fleet
  • Mr. Daniel Miller, (1755 - 1790), aged 34, British settler convicted at Buckinghamshire, England in 1788, sentenced to 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the ship "Neptune" leaving in 1789 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1790 11
  • Mr. John Miller, (b. 1763), aged 26, British settler convicted at Northumberland, England in 1788, sentenced to 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the ship "Surprize" leaving in 1789 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1790 12
  • Mr. James Miller, (1757 - 1790), aged 32, British settler convicted at Buckinghamshire, England in 1788, sentenced to Life for felony, transported aboard the ship "Neptune" leaving in 1789 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1790 12
Second Fleet
  • Mr. William Miller, (John Williams), (b. 1760), aged 30, British settler convicted in Lincolnshire, England in 1789, sentenced to 7 years for highway robbery, transported aboard the ship "Albermarle" leaving in 1790 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1791 12
Third Fleet
Following the First, Second and Third Fleets, other convicts and early settlers arriving in Australia include:

Miller Settlers in Australia in the 18th Century
  • Mr. William Miller, English convict who was convicted in London, England for life, transported aboard the "Barwell" in September 1797, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 12
Miller Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • Mr. John Miller, (b. 1770), aged 30, English milliner who was convicted in Middlesex, England for 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the "Earl Cornwallis" in August 1800, arriving in New South Wales, Australia, he died in 1816 13
  • Mr.John Miller, British settler who was convicted in Middlesex, England for life for stealing, transported aboard the "Fortune" on 31st October 1812, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 14
  • Mr. Edward Miller, (Rummens), English convict who was convicted in Sussex, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Baring" in April 1815, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 15
  • Mr. James Miller, (Josephs), English convict who was convicted in Middlesex, England for life, transported aboard the "Baring" in April 1815, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 15
  • Mr. John Miller, English convict who was convicted in Portsmouth, Hampshire, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Fame" on 9th October 1816, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 16
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Miller 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:

Miller Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
  • William Miller, aged 28, a labourer, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Blenheim" in 1840
  • Maria Miller, aged 27, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Blenheim" in 1840
  • Robert Miller, aged 9, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Blenheim" in 1840
  • Janet Miller, aged 7, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Blenheim" in 1840
  • Mary Miller, aged 5, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Blenheim" in 1840
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Miller migration to West Indies +

The British first settled the British West Indies around 1604. They made many attempts but failed in some to establish settlements on the Islands including Saint Lucia and Grenada. By 1627 they had managed to establish settlements on St. Kitts (St. Christopher) and Barbados, but by 1641 the Spanish had moved in and destroyed some of these including those at Providence Island. The British continued to expand the settlements including setting the First Federation in the British West Indies by 1674; some of the islands include Barbados, Bermuda, Cayman Island, Turks and Caicos, Jamaica and Belize then known as British Honduras. By the 1960's many of the islands became independent after the West Indies Federation which existed from 1958 to 1962 failed due to internal political conflicts. After this a number of Eastern Caribbean islands formed a free association. 17
Miller Settlers in West Indies in the 17th Century
  • Mr. John Miller, (b. 1588), aged 47, British settler travelling aboard the ship "The Dorset" arriving in Barbados in September 1635 18
  • Mr. Phillip Miller, (b. 1614), aged 21, British settler travelling from Gravesend, England aboard the ship "Falcon" arriving in Barbados in 1636 19
Miller Settlers in West Indies in the 18th Century
  • Thomas Miller, who arrived in Antigua (Antego) in 1752-1756 20

Miller migration to Canada +

Miller Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century
  • Stephen Miller, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1750
  • Capt. Garrett Miller U.E. (b. 1738) born in Court Matrix, County Limerick, Ireland from Camden Valley, New York, USA who settled in Sorel-Tracy, Quebec c. 1779, then Ernest Town [Ernestown], Lennox & Addington, Ontario in 1796 he served in the Royal Rangers with Colonel Peters Corps, married twice having 12 children, he died in 1823 Switzerville, Ontario 21
  • Mr. James Miller U.E. who settled in Elizabeth Town [Elizabethtown], Leeds County, Ontario c .1780 21
  • Mr. Jane Miller U.E. who settled in Belle Vue, Beaver Harbour, Charlotte County, New Brunswick c. 1783 21
  • Mr. John Miller U.E. who arrived at Port Roseway, [Shelbourne], Nova Scotia on October 26, 1783 was passenger number 4 aboard the ship "HMS Clinton", picked up on September 20, 1783 at East River, New York, USA 21
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Miller Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century
  • James Miller, aged 22, a labourer, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick aboard the ship "Favourite" in 1815
  • Elizabeth Miller, aged 20, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick aboard the ship "Favourite" in 1815
  • John Miller, aged 21, a labourer, who arrived in Quebec aboard the ship "Atlas" in 1815
  • James Miller, aged 48, a farmer, who arrived in Quebec aboard the ship "Dorothy" in 1815
  • Mary Miller, aged 38, who arrived in Quebec aboard the ship "Dorothy" in 1815
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Miller Settlers in Canada in the 20th Century
  • Miss Dagmar Miller, Danish settler who sailed aboard the ship "Stavangerfjord" arriving in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada in 1951

Miller migration to the United States +



Miller Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
  • Mr. Alexander Miller who arrived in Salem, Massachusetts in 1630 aboard the ship "Ambrose" as part of the Winthrop Fleet 22
  • Mr. Richard Miller, aged 12, from England who arrived in Virginia aboard the ship "America" arriving in June 1635 22
  • Mr. Joseph Miller, aged 15, who arrived in New England in 1635 aboard the ship "Hopewell" 23
  • Mr. James Miller, aged 18, who arrived in Virginia in 1635 aboard the ship "Plain Joan" 23
  • Benjamin Miller, aged 30, who arrived in Bermuda, (Somers Islands) in 1635 aboard the ship "Truelove" 20
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Miller Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • Symon Miller, who arrived in Virginia in 1705 20
  • Steve Miller, who arrived in New York in 1709 20
  • Joost Miller, who arrived in New York in 1709 20
  • Conrad Miller, German who arrived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1727 aboard the ship "William and Sarah" 24
  • Jurgen Miller, German who arrived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1727 aboard the ship "James Goodwill" 24
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Miller Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Alexander Craig Miller, who landed in New York in 1801 20
  • Catharina Miller, aged 13, who landed in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1807 20
  • Adam Miller, who arrived in Somerset County, Pennsylvania in 1809 20
  • Arthur G Miller, aged 27, who landed in Georgia in 1812 20
  • Ann Miller, aged 55, who arrived in Maryland in 1812 20
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Miller Settlers in United States in the 20th Century
  • Archie W Miller, who arrived in Mississippi in 1902 20
  • Mr. William Miller, (b. 1864), aged 40, American slater returning from Cornwall, UK travelling aboard the ship "St Louis" arriving at Ellis Island, New York on 27th March 1904 en route to Pen Argyl, Pennsylvania, USA 25

Contemporary Notables of the name Miller (post 1700) +

  • Balin Miller (2002-2025), American climber known for solo ascents in Patagonia, Canada, and Alaska
  • Vaughn Miller (1960-2025), Bahamian politician from the Progressive Liberal Party
  • Carl Eugene Miller (1938-2025), American politician, served in the Colorado House of Representatives, represented the counties of Summit, Lake and Eagle
  • Charles Stewart Miller OBE (1944-2025), Scottish celebrity hairdresser, winner of the Scottish Hairdresser of the Year Award on three occasions, as well as the Avant-Garde Hairdresser of the Year
  • Charles W. Miller (1939-2025), American politician and Democratic member of the Kentucky House of Representatives (1998-2023), represented Kentucky's 28th House district, which includes southwest Jefferson County
  • Lenore Miller (1932-2025), American labor union leader, campaigned on health and safety at work, and for the representation of low paid workers by unions, served on the executives of the International Union of Food, Agricultural, Hotel, Restaurant, Catering, Tobacco and Allied Workers' Associations and the International Federation of Commercial, Clerical, Professional and Technical Employees
  • Lawrence James Miller (1946-2025), American basketball player, named to the ACC 50th Anniversary men's basketball team in 2002, as one of the 50 greatest players in Atlantic Coast Conference history
  • Norman Charles Miller (1934-2025), American journalist, worked for The Wall Street Journal
  • Venus Bell Miller (1917-1978), née Cox, American Private in the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion, first all-female, all-African-American battalion to server overseas
  • ... (Another 95 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Arrow Air Flight 1285
  • Mr. Richard Dean Miller (1960-1985), American Staff Sergeant from Tyler, Texas, USA who died in the Arrow Air Flight 1285 crash 26
  • Mr. Dirk A Miller (1965-1985), American Warrant Officer Class II from Clarksville, Tennessee, USA who died in the Arrow Air Flight 1285 crash 27
  • Mr. Timothy E Miller (1965-1985), American Specialist 4th Class from Noblesville, Indiana, USA who died in the Arrow Air Flight 1285 crash 27
  • Mr. Larry Gene Miller (1961-1985), American Sergeant from Loogootee, Indiana, USA who died in the Arrow Air Flight 1285 crash 27
  • Clwydd Osborne Miller (1919-1943), Australian Private who died aboard the ship "Centaur" an Australian hospital ship when torpedoed on 14th May 1943
  • ... (Another 70 entries are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Suggested Readings for the name Miller +

  • The History and Genealogy of the Miller Family by Thelma Ray Miller.
  • The Huguenot Millers by Margaret Miller White.
  • The Miller and Simmons Families by William Shurtleff.
  1. "UK surname ranking." UK Surname map, https://www.surnamemap.eu/unitedkingdom/surnames_ranking.php?p=10
  2. "Most Common Last Names in Australia." Forebears, https://forebears.io/australia/surnames
  3. "Most Common Last Names in New Zealand." Forebears, https://forebears.io/new-zealand/surnames
  4. "Surnames Meanings, Origins & Distribution Maps - Forebears." Forebears, https://forebears.io/surnames
  5. "The first 1,000 family names by rank, Quebec (in French only)" Institut de la statistique du Quebec, https://statistique.quebec.ca/en/document/family-names-in-quebec/tableau/the-first-1000-family-names-by-rank-quebec
  6. The order of Common Surnames in 1955 in Newfoundland retrieved on 20th October 2021 (retrieved from Family Names of the Island of Newfoundland by E.R. Seary corrected edition ISBN 0-7735-1782-0)
  7. "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
  8. http://www.journaldesfemmes.com/nom-de-famille/nom/
  9. "Most Common Last Names in Russia." Forebears, https://forebears.io/russia/surnames
  10. "Most Common Last Names in South Africa." Forebears, https://forebears.io/south-africa/surnames
  11. Convict Records of Australia. Retrieved 4th February 2021 from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships
  12. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 29th September 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/barwell
  13. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 13th August 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/earl-cornwallis
  14. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 24th October 2022). https://convictrecords.com.au
  15. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 16th September 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/baring
  16. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 27th September 2022). https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/fairlie
  17. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_West_Indies
  18. Pilgrim Ship Lists Early 1600's retrieved 29th September 2021. Retrieved from https://www.packrat-pro.com/ships/shiplist.htm
  19. Pilgrim Ship Lists Early 1600's retrieved 28th September 2021 from https://www.packrat-pro.com/ships/shiplist.htm
  20. Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
  21. Rubincam, Milton. The Old United Empire Loyalists List. Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc, 1976. (Originally published as; United Empire Loyalists. The Centennial of the Settlement of Upper Canada. Rose Publishing Company, 1885.) ISBN 0-8063-0331-X
  22. Pilgrim Ship's of 1600's. Retrieved January 6th 2023 from https://www.packrat-pro.com/ships/shiplist.htm
  23. Pilgrim Ship's of 1600's Retrieved January 6th 2023, retrieved from https://www.packrat-pro.com/ships/shiplist.htm
  24. Egle, William Henry. Names of foreigners who took the oath of allegiance to the province and state of Pennsylvania... Edwin K. Meyers state printer, 1892 
  25. Cornwall Online Parish Clerks. (Retrieved 3rd May 2018). Retrieved from http://www.opc-cornwall.org/Resc/pdfs/emigration_ellis_island_1892_on.pdf
  26. American War Memorials - Flight 1285. (Retrieved 2016, August 24) . Retrieved from http://www.uswarmemorials.org/html/monument_details.php?SiteID=317&MemID=550

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