Find out how popular the last name Mildred is in the United States and learn more about the meaning, history, and race and ethnic origin of people in America who are named Mildred.

Mildred, like all of the last names we have data for, is identified by the U.S. Census Bureau as a surname which has more than 100 occurrences in the United States in the Decennial Census survey. The most recent statistics we have for the Mildred surname is from the 2000 census data.

Popularity of Mildred in America

Mildred is the 147095th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Mildred surname appeared 103 times in the 2000 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 0 people would have the surname Mildred.

The history of the last name Mildred

The surname Mildred has its origins in England. It emerged during the medieval period, particularly flourishing from the 12th century onward. The name finds its roots primarily in the south of England, where it was first recorded in ancient documents.

The name is derived from the Old English personal name Mildþryð, which itself is composed of two elements: "milde," meaning gentle or mild, and "þryð," meaning strength. This original combination implies a person noted both for their gentleness and their fortitude. Over time, the personal name evolved into a surname.

One of the earliest historical references to the name Mildred can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, although it is more commonly noted in later medieval registers. Various spellings of the name, such as Mildrud and Mildreth, appear in parish records and legal documents of the period.

The earliest recorded example of the surname as it is spelled today is believed to be Geoffrey Mildred, mentioned in the 1273 Hundred Rolls of Norfolk. Another early record features William Mildred, who is noted in the Subsidy Rolls of Sussex in 1327. The surname often appears in connection with landholding and local governance, suggesting that bearers of the name were typically well-established in their communities.

A prominent figure in the 15th century, Thomas Mildred (1400-1468), was documented as a landowner in Kent. Continuing into the early modern period, the name is found among notable individuals such as Elizabeth Mildred (1620-1694), who was involved in the English Civil War as a supporter of the Parliamentarian cause.

In the 18th century, John Mildred (1723-1790) gained recognition as a successful merchant in London, contributing to the economic growth of the burgeoning metropolis. By the 19th century, Mildred had become more widespread, as evidenced by records of George Mildred (1801-1875), a notable industrialist in the Midlands.

Throughout history, the surname Mildred has been associated with various professions and societal roles, reflecting the diverse nature of its bearers. Notably, many have remained rooted in specific regions of England, with some later generations emigrating abroad, contributing to the global dispersion of the name.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Mildred

We also have some data on the ancestry of people with the surname Mildred.

The below race categories are the modified race categories used in the Census Bureau's population estimates program. All people were categorized into six mutually exclusive racial and Hispanic origin groups:

1. White only
2. Black only
3. American Indian and Alaskan Native only
4. Asian and Pacific Islander only
5. Hispanic
6. Two or More Races

For the most recent 2000 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for Mildred was:

Note: Any fields showing (S) means the data was suppressed for privacy so that the data does not in any way identify any specific individuals.

Data source

The last name data and ethnic breakdown of last names is sourced directly from the Decennial Census survey, conducted every 10 years by the United States Census Bureau.

The history and meaning of the name Mildred was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Mildred, please contact us.

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