Find out how popular the last name Milly is in the United States and learn more about the meaning, history, and race and ethnic origin of people in America who are named Milly.
A locational surname referring to someone who lived near a mill.
Milly, 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 Milly surname is from the 2000 census data.
Milly is the 150436th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.
The Milly surname appeared 100 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 Milly.
The surname Milly has its origins in France, dating back to the medieval period. The name appears to be locational, derived from various places named Milly in France. These places include Milly-la-Forêt in the Île-de-France region and Milly-sur-Thérain in northern France. The French surname Milly likely derives from the Latin word "mille," meaning a thousand, though in this context, it may indicate a settlement of a considerable size.
In historical records, the name Milly is first noted in various medieval manuscripts and charters. One of the earliest references is found in the cartulary of the Abbey of St. Denis, dating to around the 12th century where a "Guillaume de Milly" is mentioned. This suggests that the family had some prominence in the region during this period.
Another significant early figure is Jean de Milly, a knight who participated in the Crusades during the 13th century. His name can be found in the chronicles of the time, specifically in accounts related to the Fourth Crusade. This historical prominence might indicate the family’s involvement in significant military and religious campaigns.
In the 14th century, Hugues de Milly served as a bishop in the Roman Catholic Church, further cementing the family's ecclesiastical and social standing. His leadership in the diocese contributed to the prominence of the name in ecclesiastical records of the era. He lived during a time when the Church wielded considerable influence, thus highlighting the prominence of the surname in religious circles.
Another notable figure is the 15th-century nobleman Antoine de Milly, who was recorded in the annals of the French nobility. He served in the court of King Charles VII, reflecting the family's long-standing ties to the French monarchy. The records from this period often show variations in spelling such as Milee or Millie, due to the phonetic interpretations of the time.
By the 16th century, the Milly surname had crossed into England with the migration of Huguenots fleeing religious persecution in France. One of the known figures during the Elizabethan era was Pierre Milly, a master craftsman noted in guild records in London. His skills contributed to the thriving artisan community in the city during this period.
The surname Milly, thus, is deeply rooted in French history with a consistent presence in religious, military, and artisan records spanning several centuries. Its evolution across different regions and societies showcases the significant adaptability and resilience of the name throughout history.
We also have some data on the ancestry of people with the surname Milly.
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:
For the most recent 2000 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for Milly was:
Race/Ethnicity | Percentage | Total Occurrences |
---|---|---|
Non-Hispanic White Only | 79.00% | 79 |
Non-Hispanic Black Only | (S)% | (S) |
Non-Hispanic Asian and Pacific Islander Only | 7.00% | 7 |
Non-Hispanic American Indian and Alaskan Native | (S)% | (S) |
Non-Hispanic of Two or More Races | 8.00% | 8 |
Hispanic Origin | (S)% | (S) |
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.
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 Milly was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.
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<a href="http://namecensus.com/last-names/milly-surname-popularity/">Milly last name popularity, history, and meaning</a>
"Milly last name popularity, history, and meaning". NameCensus.com. Accessed on June 12, 2025. http://namecensus.com/last-names/milly-surname-popularity/.
"Milly last name popularity, history, and meaning". NameCensus.com, http://namecensus.com/last-names/milly-surname-popularity/. Accessed 12 June, 2025
Milly last name popularity, history, and meaning. NameCensus.com. Retrieved from http://namecensus.com/last-names/milly-surname-popularity/.
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