Last Name Millican

The last name "Millican" is of English origin. It is derived from a place name, specifically from the village of Millicent or Millison in Cumbria, England. The name is composed of the Old English elements "mylen," meaning mill, and "sǣtan," meaning settlers or dwellers, indicating that the original bearer of the name resided near a mill. Over time, the name Millican spread and became a surname.

Race and Ethnicity of people with the last name Millican

The ethnic identity associated with the surname Millican also experienced shifts between 2000 and 2010, based on the Decennial U.S. Census findings. The largest ethnicity identified was white, though it saw a small decrease of 1.77%. The percentage of people with this last name identifying as Asian/Pacific Islander more than tripled, albeit still representing a small fraction. The representation of Hispanic and Black individuals also increased by 47.60% and 19.43% respectively. Conversely, those identifying as two or more races decreased by 33.07%. American Indian and Alaskan Native individuals remained relatively stable, seeing only a minor increase of 9.23%.

	2000	2010	Change
White	92.21%	90.58%	-1.77%
Black	3.5%	4.18%	19.43%
Hispanic	2.08%	3.07%	47.6%
Two or More Races	1.27%	0.85%	-33.07%
American Indian and Alaskan Native	0.65%	0.71%	9.23%
Asian/Pacific Islander	0.3%	0.61%	103.33%

Millican ancestry composition

NomOrigine computes an ancestry breakdown for each customer. People may have ancestry from just one population or they may have ancestry from several populations. The most commonly-observed ancestry found in people with the surname Millican is British & Irish, which comprises 66.1% of all ancestry found in people with the surname. The next two most common ancestries are French & German (21.4%) and Eastern European (2.6%). Additional ancestries include Scandinavian, Spanish & Portuguese, Ashkenazi Jewish, Indigenous American, and Chinese.

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ANCESTRY BREAKDOWN	COMPOSITION
British & Irish	66.1%
French & German	21.4%
Eastern European	2.6%
Other	9.9%

Your paternal lineage may be linked to the Cham

One of the many populations harboring members of haplogroup O1b1a1a1a1 is the Cham ethnic group, a group of people who speak Austronesian languages in Mainland Southeast Asia. Austronesian languages make up a language family that is extremely large and widespread, comprising over 350 million people on islands such as Madagascar, Easter Island, and many others. However, Austronesian languages are less common on mainland Asia, with a notable exception being the Chamic language. Research suggests that ancestors of the Cham people migrated from Southeast Asian islands to the mainland around the year 500 BCE, and that early Cham populations quickly began mixing with indigenous southern Vietnamese populations. As a result, the Chamic language now has words that were borrowed from languages spoken by indigenous Vietnamese people. It is likely that an ancestral Kinh population was one of the populations that mixed with the Cham people shortly after their migration to mainland Asia.

Your maternal lineage may be linked to Marie Antoinette

Because it is so dominant in the general European population, haplogroup H also appears quite frequently in the continent's royal houses. Marie Antoinette, an Austrian Hapsburg who married into the French royal family, inherited the haplogroup from her maternal ancestors. So did Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, whose recorded genealogy traces his female line to Bavaria. Scientists also discovered that famed 16th century astronomer Nicolaus Copernicus traced his maternal lineages to haplogroup H.

Learn more about the origin of the last name Millican

The meaning and origin of the last name Millican

The surname Millican derives from the Old English personal name Millicent, a compound of the elements "milu" meaning "grace" or "kindness," and "sǣd" meaning "seeds." Therefore, the name Millican can be interpreted to mean "graceful seeds" or "kind seeds." It is considered to be a patronymic surname, indicating that it originally referred to the descendants of a person named Millicent. The name is primarily concentrated in the northern counties of England, particularly Cumbria and Northumberland. The origin of the surname Millican can be traced back to medieval England. Like many surnames, it likely first emerged as a way to distinguish individuals within a community or family. Over time, the name became hereditary, passed down through generations. Variations of the surname include Milligan, Mulligan, and Mellings, among others. As with any surname, different branches of the Millican family may have developed unique variations based on regional dialects or other factors.

Geographical distribution of the last name Millican

The surname Millican has a relatively limited geographical distribution. It is most commonly found in the United States, particularly in the southern region. Within the US, states such as Texas, Alabama, and Tennessee have significant concentrations of individuals with the last name Millican. This suggests a historical connection to these areas, possibly through immigration or migration patterns. Additionally, there are smaller pockets of individuals with the surname in other parts of the country, such as California and Missouri. Outside of the United States, there is also a presence of the Millican surname in the United Kingdom, specifically in the region of North West England. While the distribution of the Millican name is relatively sparse globally, it indicates a strong association with certain regions within the United States and the United Kingdom.

Variants and spellings of the last name Millican

The last name Millican may have a few variations and spellings, including Millikan, Millikanne, Milliken, Millikin, Millicane, and Milligan. These variations could be due to the country of origin, the particular pronunciation by individuals, or the evolution of the name throughout history. In some cases, these different spellings may have arisen from clerical errors or transcription mistakes in official records. It is also possible that some variations emerged as families migrated to new regions and adapted their surnames to match local accents or naming conventions. Regardless of the spelling, people with any of these variations of the last name Millican likely share a common ancestry, and their family histories can be traced back to a single origin.

Famous people with the last name Millican

There are several well-known individuals with the last name Millican who have made significant contributions in their respective fields. One such notable figure is Sarah Millican, a renowned British comedian known for her witty and observational style of humor. She has gained much recognition for her stand-up comedy shows, television appearances, and writing. Another prominent name in the field of academic philosophy is oxford professor emeritus John Millican. His expertise lies in the areas of logic, metaphysics, and the philosophy of language, and his work has been influential in the field. Additionally, in the world of sports, Bobby Millican is a prominent figure. He excelled as a professional footballer, playing as a goalkeeper for several renowned football clubs in the UK during the mid-20th century. These individuals, among others, have left indelible marks in their respective domains, showcasing the varied accomplishments of those with the last name Millican.

Genealogical research on the last name Millican

The Millican surname is believed to have originated from the medieval compound Old English name "Millicent." The name is derived from the word "melesecan," meaning "strong and mighty in battle." The earliest records of the Millican family trace back to the 14th century in Northumberland, England. Over time, the Millican family expanded throughout different regions in England, including Durham, Yorkshire, and Cumberland. It is believed that some Millicans migrated to Ireland and Scotland, where variations of the surname, such as "Milikan" and "Milligan," emerged. In the United States, the Millican surname can be traced back to Scottish and Irish immigrants who settled mainly in the southern states, particularly in Alabama and Georgia. Today, Millicans can be found across the United Kingdom and the United States, with some members of the family continuing to research their genealogy and preserve the rich history of the Millican name.

Sources & References

• INSEE statistics on the surname "Millican"
• 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 April 2025

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