Last Name Millard

Learn more about the origin of the last name Millard

The meaning and origin of the last name Millard

The surname Millard is of Old French origin, derived from the term "moulle," which means mill or grinder. It was originally a occupational name for someone who worked at a mill, such as a miller, grain-grinder, or fuller (a person who thickened cloth by beating it with hammers in a mill). The name is also found in some regions of England and France spelled as "Miller" or "Mellard." It is commonly found among the Normans who invaded England in 1066, and its popularity persisted throughout the Middle Ages and into modern times. The Millard family can be traced back to various historical records in both France and England, with notable Millards appearing in the Hundred Rolls of 1273 in England, as well as the Normandy Roll of 1066.

Geographical distribution of the last name Millard

The last name Millard is predominantly found in English-speaking regions due to its Old French origin, where it was originally spelled as 'Miller' and referred to a profession - a miller. However, the distribution has been significantly influenced by European colonization and immigration patterns over time. In the United Kingdom, Millard is most common in the East Midlands and East Anglia regions. In North America, particularly the United States and Canada, significant numbers of people with the last name Millard are found, many of whom can trace their roots back to early English settlers or later immigration waves from Europe. Other notable populations of Millards can be found in Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa, where British settlement played a significant role. The diaspora of the Millard family name is also seen in countries such as Ireland, the Caribbean, and parts of Asia, reflecting historical migration patterns.

Variants and spellings of the last name Millard

The surname Millard has several variations and spellings worldwide, mainly due to differences in transcription and local spelling conventions over time. Some common variants include Milward, Milnerd, Mellard, Millerd, Mileard, Millardt, Millart, Milhard, Milhart, and Millhartt. These variations may arise from phonetic changes, regional dialects, or errors during transcription in historical records. In some cases, the name may have been deliberately altered due to personal preference, migration, or assimilation into a new culture. Despite these variations, the root form of the name is generally agreed to be Millard, which originates from Old English and means "servant who grinds corn" or "grinder."

Famous people with the last name Millard

Among individuals bearing the surname Millard, notable figures include:

1. **Millard Fillmore** (1800-1874), the 13th President of the United States, who served from July 1850 to March 1853. He assumed office upon the death of President Zachary Taylor and was a member of the Whig Party.

2. **Millard Mitchell** (1908-1965), an American actor best known for his roles in films such as "From Here to Eternity" (1953) and "The Longest Day" (1962). He won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his performance in the former.

3. **Millard Sheets** (1907-1989), an American artist and designer known for his work with California's Mission Revival architecture. His career spanned over 60 years, and he was a founding member of the California Watercolor Society.

4. **Millard Thomas "Mickey" Mantle** (1931-1995), an American professional baseball player who played for the New York Yankees from 1951 to 1968. Nicknamed "The Mick," he is considered one of the greatest baseball players of all time.

5. **Millard Dean Millington** (1924-2015), a decorated American aviator and test pilot who flew more than 3,000 different aircraft types and models. He was inducted into the National Aviation Hall of Fame in 1985.

Genealogical research on the last name Millard

The Millard surname is of Old French origin, derived from 'millier', meaning 'miller'. It was initially a profession-based name, identifying someone who worked as a miller. The earliest recorded spelling of the name appears to be Millerd, which was documented in Yorkshire, England, during the 12th century. As families migrated and expanded throughout Europe and later to America and other parts of the world, numerous branches emerged. Notable individuals bearing the surname Millard include John Millard (a member of the Massachusetts House of Representatives in 1746), Henry Millard (an American politician who served as Governor of Michigan from 1865-1869), and Dame Ellen Mary Millard, a British lawyer and judge. Genealogical research on this surname continues to uncover fascinating family histories and connections across continents.

Last name distribution maps

Sources & References

• INSEE statistics on the surname "Millard"
• Global distribution of the surname on Forebears.io
• Wikipedia Article

About the author :

NomOrigine Team
Passionate about genealogy, name history, and linguistics, we have been analyzing the origins of names for over 3 years. Our content is based on verified historical, etymological, and statistical data.
Last updated : 11 June 2025