Show ContentsMillen History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Etymology of Millen

What does the name Millen mean?

The name Millen is most likely occupational in origin; in other words, that is, a name derived from the name of a profession. Many occupational names refer directly to the occupation, but some, like Millen, are metonymic, meaning that they refer to some object associated with the profession. Millen comes from the French word "moulin," meaning "a mill:" the first bearer of the name probably worked in a mill, but it is also possible that the name was taken on by some who lived near a mill. 1

"Moulins, is a place in the department of Orne, in Normandy." 2 3

Early Origins of the Millen family

The surname Millen was first found in Suffolk where records show Ralph Milun in the Feet of Fines of 1198, and Adam Milun in a record from 1200. Other records show Ralph de Molins in the Pipe Rolls of 1159. A few years later, Laurence atte Mulene was listed in the Writs of Parliament of 1278. 4

The Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 listed William de Molyns, Gloucestershire 5 and Gilbert atte Mullane was listed in Somerset, 1 Edward III (during the first year of King Edward III's reign.) 6

Early History of the Millen family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Millen research. Another 131 words (9 lines of text) covering the years 1289, 1341, 1428, 1645 and 1685 are included under the topic Early Millen History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Millen Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Mullin, Mullis, Mullen, Mullins, Mullens, Mullings, Molins, Millen, Millin and many more.

Early Notables of the Millen family

More information is included under the topic Early Millen Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Millen Ranking

In the United States, the name Millen is the 8,711st most popular surname with an estimated 2,487 people with that name. 7

Migration of the Millen family to Ireland

Some of the Millen family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 51 words (4 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


Millen migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Millen Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
  • Barthol. Millen, who arrived in Virginia in 1642
  • Barthol Millen, who landed in Virginia in 1642 8
  • Heebert Millen, who arrived in Virginia in 1651
  • Elizabeth Millen, who landed in Maryland in 1673 8
Millen Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • Peter Millen, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1750 8
  • Robert Millen, who settled in Virginia in 1752
  • John Millen, who landed in America in 1765 8
  • Charles Millen, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1772
Millen Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • William Millen, aged 28, who arrived in New York, NY in 1812 8
  • James Millen, aged 26, who arrived in New York, NY in 1812 8
  • Hugh Millen, who landed in Maryland in 1824 8
  • Nancy Millen, aged 35, who arrived in Mobile, Ala in 1851 8
  • Jan Millen, who landed in Iowa in 1854 8

Millen migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Millen Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century
  • Ann Millen, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick from Ireland in 1842

Millen migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Millen Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • Mr. John Millen who was convicted in Kent, England for life, transported aboard the "Bengal Merchant" on 4th August 1836, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 9
  • Ellen Millen, aged 20, a domestic servant, who arrived in South Australia in 1855 aboard the ship "Bucephalus"

Millen migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Millen Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
  • Mr. William Millen, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Spray of the Ocean" arriving in Auckland, New Zealand on 1st September 1859 10
  • Mr. William G Millen, (b. 1859), aged 18, Scottish settler travelling from Glasgow aboard the ship "Marlborough" arriving in Bluff, South Island, New Zealand on 4th November 1877 11

Contemporary Notables of the name Millen (post 1700) +

  • John M. Millen, American leader of the Antarctic expedition 1962-1963, eponym of the Millen Range, Antarctica
  • Hugh Breedlove Millen (b. 1963), former professional American NFL football player
  • Matthew George "Matt" Millen (b. 1958), American former NFL linebacker and a former football executive
  • Corey Eugene Millen (b. 1964), retired American NHL ice hockey center
  • John Millen (1804-1843), American politician and lawyer, US Representative from Georgia
  • Stephen Richard Millen, American politician, Socialist Workers Candidate for Presidential Elector for Indiana, 1972 12
  • John Millen (1804-1843), American Democratic Party politician, Member of Georgia State Legislature; U.S. Representative from Georgia at-large, 1843 12
  • H. A. Millen, American Republican politician, Delegate to Republican National Convention from Arkansas, 1872 12
  • George W. Millen (b. 1863), American Republican politician, Member of Michigan State Senate 12th District, 1919-20 12
  • Chauncey H. Millen, American politician, Presidential Elector for Michigan, 1856 12
  • ... (Another 10 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)


The Millen Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Mea gloria fides
Motto Translation: Fidelity is my glory.


  1. Smith, Eldson Coles, New Dictionary of American Family Names New York: Harper & Row, 1956. Print
  2. Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
  3. Barber, Henry, British Family Names London: Elliot Stock, 62 Paternoster Row, 1894. Print.
  4. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
  5. Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
  6. Dickinson, F.H., Kirby's Quest for Somerset of 16th of Edward the 3rd London: Harrison and Sons, Printers in Ordinary to Her Majesty, St, Martin's Lane, 1889. Print.
  7. "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
  8. Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
  9. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 7th October 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/bengal-merchant
  10. New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 26th March 2019). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
  11. New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 17th October 2018). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
  12. The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2016, January 14) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html


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