Milestone
A surname referring to a boundary marker or significant event or achievement.
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 171 Americans carry the last name Milestone. That puts it at #116,201 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 0.05 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 2,004,411 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Milestone surname. You will find the Census Bureau frequency data, an ancestry and ethnicity breakdown based on self-reported demographics, the name's meaning and origin where available, and answers to the most common questions people ask about this surname.
Bearers in the US
171
1 in 2,004,411
Census rank
#116,201
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
0.1
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
150
very rare in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 150 bearers of the surname Milestone in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 0.05 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 116201st position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Milestone, the largest self-reported group is White at 94.0%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (3.3%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Milestone
The surname "Milestone" is of English origin and dates back to the late 16th century. It is believed to have originated in the Midlands region of England, where it was likely derived from a place name or a topographical feature related to milestones or boundary markers.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the parish records of Staffordshire, where a John Milestone was listed in 1597. This suggests that the name was already in use by that time and may have been derived from a location within that county or a nearby area.
The name may have its roots in the Old English words "mil" meaning a measure of distance, and "stan" meaning stone. Combined, these words could refer to a milestone or a stone marker used to indicate distances along a road or path. It is possible that the surname was initially given to someone who lived near such a marker or was responsible for maintaining them.
In the 17th and 18th centuries, the name appeared in various records across England, with variations in spelling such as Mileston, Milston, and Mylestone. Some notable individuals from this period include William Milestone, a merchant from London who was active in the 1660s, and John Milestone, a yeoman farmer from Warwickshire who was mentioned in a land deed from 1712.
As the name spread across England, it was also associated with certain place names that may have influenced its spelling or pronunciation. For example, the village of Milstone in Gloucestershire could have been a contributing factor, as well as the Milstone River in Somerset.
Among the more prominent individuals bearing the surname Milestone throughout history are:
1. Robert Milestone (1678-1744), an English clergyman and author who published works on theology and philosophy.
2. Elizabeth Milestone (1825-1911), a British writer and activist who campaigned for women's rights and education reform.
3. John Milestone (1839-1921), a British architect known for designing several churches and public buildings in London.
4. William Milestone (1855-1932), an English cricketer who played for Gloucestershire County Cricket Club in the late 19th century.
5. Margaret Milestone (1906-1987), an American artist and sculptor recognized for her work in the Art Deco style.
While the surname "Milestone" may not be among the most common in the English-speaking world, it has a rich history that spans several centuries and reflects the diverse landscapes and cultural influences of its origins.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Milestone
Among Census respondents with the surname Milestone, the largest self-reported group is White at 94.0%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (3.3%).
The bar chart below shows how Milestone bearers described their own race and ethnicity on the 2010 Census form. The Census Bureau groups responses into six broad categories: White, Black or African American, Hispanic or Latino, Asian and Pacific Islander, American Indian and Alaska Native, and Two or More Races. When a category has too few respondents for a given surname, the Bureau suppresses the figure to protect individual privacy, which is why some names show fewer than six slices.
Keep in mind that these are self-reported numbers. A person's surname does not determine their race or ethnicity, and the distribution you see here reflects the specific population who happened to carry the Milestone surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- White94.0%
- Hispanic or Latino3.3%
- Unknown or suppressed2.7%
Year on year
2000 vs 2010 Census
How has the Milestone surname changed between Census years? The chart shows bearer count side by side, and the table compares rank, count, and frequency.
Census year comparison
| Metric | 2000 | 2010 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #109,915 | #116,201 | -5.7% |
| Count | 149 | 150 | 0.7% |
| Per 100K | 0.06 | 0.05 | -16.7% |
Between the 2000 and 2010 Census, the number of Milestone bearers went from 149 to 150 (+0.7% change). The surname moved down 6,286 positions in the national ranking, going from #109,915 to #116,201.
Notable bearers
Famous people with the surname Milestone
FAQ
Milestone surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Milestone?
The surname Milestone holds position #116,201 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 171 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 0.05 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Milestone surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Milestone, the largest self-reported group is White at 94.0%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (3.3%). These figures come from the 2010 Census Bureau surname tables, based on how respondents described their own race and ethnicity.
Where does this surname data come from?
All surname statistics on Name Census are drawn from the US Census Bureau's decennial surname frequency tables. These tables list every surname that appeared 100 or more times in the 2010 Census, along with a frequency rate and self-reported demographic breakdown. You can read the full explanation on our methodology page.