The surname MIKLA has its origins in the Czech Republic, first appearing in records from the late 15th century. It is believed to derive from the Czech word "mikuláš," which was a variant of the name Nicholas that was commonly used in the region during that time period. The name likely originated in the town of Mikulov, located in the southern part of the country near the Austrian border.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the MIKLA surname can be found in a 1492 census record from the town of Znojmo, which lists a "Jan Mikla" as a resident. The name also appears in several 16th century church records from various villages in the Moravia region, indicating that it had spread beyond its initial origins.

In the 17th century, the MIKLA name began to appear in written works, including a 1623 mention in the Czech-language book "Kniha o stavu selském" by Václav Vratislav z Mitrovic, which discussed the lives of peasants in the region. A "Tomáš Mikla" from the village of Velké Bílovice is cited as one of the author's sources.

As the name grew more widespread, variations in spelling began to emerge, with forms like "Mykla" and "Miklau" appearing in some records from the 1700s. One notable bearer was Jan Mikla (1693-1777), a farmer and tavern owner from the town of Hustopeče who became a local figure of importance.

By the 19th century, the MIKLA surname had spread to other parts of Europe, with records showing individuals of that name living in Poland, Germany, and even as far as Russia. A famous bearer from this period was the Czech painter Josef Mikla (1829-1887), whose works depicting scenes of rural life gained widespread acclaim.

Other historically significant people with the surname MIKLA include Alois Mikla (1826-1903), an Austrian inventor who patented an early form of the typewriter, and Žofie Miklová (1847-1919), a Czech writer and activist who campaigned for women's rights and education reform in the late 1800s.