Milian
A Spanish surname derived from the Latin "Aemilianus," meaning "belonging to the Aemilius family" or "rival."
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 6,032 Americans carry the last name Milian. That puts it at #6,539 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 1.76 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 56,823 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Milian 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
6.0K
1 in 56,823
Census rank
#6,539
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
1.8
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
5.2K
rare in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 5,181 bearers of the surname Milian in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 1.76 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 6539th position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Milian, the largest self-reported group is Hispanic at 86.5%. The next largest groups are White (10.7%) and Black (2.2%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Milian
The surname Milian has its roots in the Mediterranean region, particularly Spain and Italy. It is believed to have originated from the Roman name "Aemilius" or "Aemilius Mamilian," which was derived from the Latin word "aemulus," meaning "rival" or "competitor."
In Spain, the name Milian can be traced back to the 9th century, during the Reconquista period. It was particularly prevalent in the regions of Catalonia and Valencia, where it was often associated with noble families and landowners.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Milian can be found in the Catalonian Chronicles, which mention a nobleman named Bernat Milian who fought alongside the Count of Barcelona in the late 11th century.
During the 12th and 13th centuries, the name Milian appeared in various historical documents in Italy, particularly in the regions of Tuscany and Lombardy. It was often associated with merchants and wealthy families involved in trade and commerce.
One notable bearer of the Milian surname was Vincenzo Milian, a renowned Italian painter who lived from 1548 to 1618. His works, which include frescoes and altarpieces, can still be found in churches and museums throughout Italy.
In the 14th century, the name Milian was also recorded in the Domesday Book, a historical record of land ownership in England commissioned by William the Conqueror in 1086. This suggests that individuals with this surname may have migrated to England during that time.
Another significant figure bearing the Milian surname was Juan Milian, a Spanish military commander who played a crucial role in the Spanish conquest of the Canary Islands in the late 15th century.
In the 16th century, the name Milian gained prominence in France, particularly in the region of Provence. One notable individual was Pierre Milian, a French mathematician and astronomer who lived from 1516 to 1589.
Throughout the centuries, the Milian surname has undergone various spelling variations, including Milian, Millan, Millian, and Miliani, reflecting the influences of different regions and languages.
While the exact origins of the surname Milian are not entirely clear, its rich history and presence across multiple countries and cultures contribute to its enduring legacy and significance.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Milian
Among Census respondents with the surname Milian, the largest self-reported group is Hispanic at 86.5%. The next largest groups are White (10.7%) and Black (2.2%).
The bar chart below shows how Milian 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 Milian surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- Hispanic or Latino86.5%
- White10.7%
- Black or African American2.2%
- Asian and Pacific Islander0.4%
Year on year
2010 vs 2010 Census
How has the Milian 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 | 2010 | 2010 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #6,539 | #6,539 | 0.0% |
| Count | 5,181 | 5,181 | 0.0% |
| Per 100K | 1.76 | 1.76 | 0.0% |
Between the 2010 and 2010 Census, the number of Milian bearers went from 5,181 to 5,181 (+0.0% change). The surname held its position in the national ranking, going from #6,539 to #6,539.
Notable bearers
Famous people with the surname Milian
FAQ
Milian surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Milian?
The surname Milian holds position #6,539 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 6,032 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 1.76 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Milian surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Milian, the largest self-reported group is Hispanic at 86.5%. The next largest groups are White (10.7%) and Black (2.2%). 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.