Mills

Meaning and origin

The last name Mills has its origins in medieval England and Scotland, deriving from the Old English word "mylen," meaning a mill. It was likely initially used to denote someone who lived near or worked at a mill. The surname Mills has also been recorded as a variant of the Irish name Millis, which stems from the Gaelic "Meillis" or "Maolulaidh," meaning bald, tonsured, or servant of St. Molua. Over time, the name has spread across different countries and evolved through various spellings and translations.

The longer story

1. Mills is an English occupational surname derived from the Middle English word "milne," meaning mill. It originally referred to someone who worked at or owned a mill.

2. The surname Mills first appeared in written records in the early 13th century in Norfolk, England.

3. The name also has Scottish origins, particularly in the areas of Angus and Fife. It is derived from the Gaelic word "meil" or "mel," meaning bald or tonsured, which could have described someone with a distinctive haircut.

Surname origins are rarely settled: one spelling can have several sources, and families often took a name for reasons nobody wrote down. Check it against the sources below before you rely on it.