The Mills Family History

What Does the Mills Surname Mean? Historical Origins Explained

The surname Mills, prevalent in both English and Scottish contexts, is derived from the Old English term 'mylen', which signifies a mill or indicates a residence near such a facility. In Gaelic, the word 'mhuilinn' also translates to 'of the mill. ' Variations in the spelling of Mills include Mylles and Meiles. This surname is believed to have originated in Hampshire County, eventually dispersing to regions such as Lancashire, Yorkshire, and various southeastern coastal areas of England. In Scotland, bearers of the Mills surname are found throughout the country, with a notable concentration in Lanarkshire County. In the United States, individuals with the surname Mills can be found in states including California, Illinois, Texas, New York, Virginia, North Carolina, Ohio, and Pennsylvania. Noteworthy individuals bearing this surname encompass Clark Mills (a notable boat designer and builder), Everett Mills (a 19th-century baseball player), Bertram Mills (an English circus proprietor), David Mills (a television writer and producer), Mary Miller (a professional golfer), Hayley Mills (an actress), John Atta-Mills (former president of the Republic of Ghana), Dick Mills (a professional baseball player), Susan Mills (the 19th-century founder of Mills College), and William Mills (the English inventor of the Mills Bomb, a type of hand grenade).