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 name Miller was originally an occupational name for someone who operated a mill. As an occupational name, it no doubt emerged independently throughout Britain.

Early Origins of the Miller family

The surname Miller was first found in various counties and shires throughout ancient Britain. The first records were found in the Hundredorum Rolls of 1273, where the name was found in the original Latin form: Adam le Molendinator in Oxfordshire; and Achard Molendinarius in Hampshire. 1

"Molendinarius is a very frequent entry in the Hundredorum Rolls, but, oddly enough, no instance is given in English." 1

Wymund Molendinarius was listed in Somerset, 20 Edward I (during the 20th year of Edward I's reign.)

Interestingly, by the late 13th and into the 14th century, the Subsidy Rolls of Sussex were giving the name in the English form as in Ralph Muller in 1296, and Reginald Miller in 1327. 2

"There are three groups of Millers in England, the Millers of the south, who have their principal home in Dorset, where they are very numerous; the Millers of the north, who are found mostly in Lancashire, Durham, and Northumberland, and the Millers of the east, who frequent Essex and the adjacent counties." 3

Early History of the Miller family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Miller research. Another 93 words (7 lines of text) covering the years 1601, 1638, 1652, 1705 and 1788 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: Miller, Millers and others.

Early Notables of the Miller family

  • the Miller family who were baronets, of Chichester, Sussex (ennobled in 1705 by Queen Anne), and Miller of Glenlee, ennobled in 1788 by king George III

Miller World Ranking

the United Kingdom, the name Miller is the 54th most popular surname with an estimated 76,379 people with that name. 4 However, in Australia, the name Miller is ranked the 38th most popular surname with an estimated 45,832 people with that name. 5 And in New Zealand, the name Miller is the 36th popular surname with an estimated 5,567 people with that name. 6 Canada ranks Miller as 18th with 63,126 people. 7 Quebec, Canada ranks Miller as 512nd. 8 Newfoundland, Canada ranks Miller as 49th with 480 people. 9 The United States ranks Miller as 7th with 1,054,488 people. 10 France ranks Miller as 3,361st with 2,000 - 2,500 people. 11 Russia ranks Miller as 383rd with 41,539 people. 12 South Africa ranks Miller as 560th with 12,463 people. 13

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 14
  • 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 15
  • 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 15
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 15
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 15
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 16
  • 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 17
  • 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 18
  • 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 18
  • 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 19
  • ... (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. 20
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 21
  • Mr. Phillip Miller, (b. 1614), aged 21, British settler travelling from Gravesend, England aboard the ship "Falcon" arriving in Barbados in 1636 22
Miller Settlers in West Indies in the 18th Century
  • Thomas Miller, who arrived in Antigua (Antego) in 1752-1756 23

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 24
  • Mr. James Miller U.E. who settled in Elizabeth Town [Elizabethtown], Leeds County, Ontario c .1780 24
  • Mr. Jane Miller U.E. who settled in Belle Vue, Beaver Harbour, Charlotte County, New Brunswick c. 1783 24
  • 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 24
  • ... (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 25
  • Mr. Richard Miller, aged 12, from England who arrived in Virginia aboard the ship "America" arriving in June 1635 25
  • Mr. Joseph Miller, aged 15, who arrived in New England in 1635 aboard the ship "Hopewell" 26
  • Mr. James Miller, aged 18, who arrived in Virginia in 1635 aboard the ship "Plain Joan" 26
  • Benjamin Miller, aged 30, who arrived in Bermuda, (Somers Islands) in 1635 aboard the ship "Truelove" 23
  • ... (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 23
  • Steve Miller, who arrived in New York in 1709 23
  • Joost Miller, who arrived in New York in 1709 23
  • Conrad Miller, German who arrived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1727 aboard the ship "William and Sarah" 27
  • Jurgen Miller, German who arrived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1727 aboard the ship "James Goodwill" 27
  • ... (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 23
  • Catharina Miller, aged 13, who landed in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1807 23
  • Adam Miller, who arrived in Somerset County, Pennsylvania in 1809 23
  • Arthur G Miller, aged 27, who landed in Georgia in 1812 23
  • Ann Miller, aged 55, who arrived in Maryland in 1812 23
  • ... (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 23
  • 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 28

Contemporary Notables of the name Miller (post 1700) +

  • Jon de Burgh Miller, English science fiction writer
  • Alan John Miller (1970-2021), English professional footballer who played 229 matches as a goalkeeper from 1988 to 2002
  • Sir Jonathan Wolfe Miller CBE (1934-2019), English theatre and opera director, actor, author and television presenter
  • Philip Paul "Phill" Miller (1949-2017), English progressive rock/jazz guitarist
  • John Tony "Johnny" Miller (1950-2016), English footballer who played from 1968 to 1982
  • 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
  • ... (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 29
  • Mr. Dirk A Miller (1965-1985), American Warrant Officer Class II from Clarksville, Tennessee, USA who died in the Arrow Air Flight 1285 crash 30
  • Mr. Timothy E Miller (1965-1985), American Specialist 4th Class from Noblesville, Indiana, USA who died in the Arrow Air Flight 1285 crash 30
  • Mr. Larry Gene Miller (1961-1985), American Sergeant from Loogootee, Indiana, USA who died in the Arrow Air Flight 1285 crash 30
  • 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.)

The Miller 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: Mea spes est in Deo
Motto Translation: My hope is in God.

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. Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
  2. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
  3. Guppy, Henry Brougham, Homes of Family Names in Great Britain. 1890. Print.
  4. "UK surname ranking." UK Surname map, https://www.surnamemap.eu/unitedkingdom/surnames_ranking.php?p=10
  5. "Most Common Last Names in Australia." Forebears, https://forebears.io/australia/surnames
  6. "Most Common Last Names in New Zealand." Forebears, https://forebears.io/new-zealand/surnames
  7. "Surnames Meanings, Origins & Distribution Maps - Forebears." Forebears, https://forebears.io/surnames
  8. "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
  9. 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)
  10. "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
  11. http://www.journaldesfemmes.com/nom-de-famille/nom/
  12. "Most Common Last Names in Russia." Forebears, https://forebears.io/russia/surnames
  13. "Most Common Last Names in South Africa." Forebears, https://forebears.io/south-africa/surnames
  14. Convict Records of Australia. Retrieved 4th February 2021 from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships
  15. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 29th September 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/barwell
  16. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 13th August 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/earl-cornwallis
  17. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 24th October 2022). https://convictrecords.com.au
  18. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 16th September 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/baring
  19. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 27th September 2022). https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/fairlie
  20. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_West_Indies
  21. Pilgrim Ship Lists Early 1600's retrieved 29th September 2021. Retrieved from https://www.packrat-pro.com/ships/shiplist.htm
  22. Pilgrim Ship Lists Early 1600's retrieved 28th September 2021 from https://www.packrat-pro.com/ships/shiplist.htm
  23. 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)
  24. 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
  25. Pilgrim Ship's of 1600's. Retrieved January 6th 2023 from https://www.packrat-pro.com/ships/shiplist.htm
  26. Pilgrim Ship's of 1600's Retrieved January 6th 2023, retrieved from https://www.packrat-pro.com/ships/shiplist.htm
  27. 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 
  28. Cornwall Online Parish Clerks. (Retrieved 3rd May 2018). Retrieved from http://www.opc-cornwall.org/Resc/pdfs/emigration_ellis_island_1892_on.pdf
  29. 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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