Surname Milde - Meaning and Origin

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L. Milde

Milde: What does the surname Milde mean?

The surname Milde is an occupational surname derived from the Middle High German word "milde" which means "mild" or "soft". The name was used to describe people who had gentle or mild dispositions, or who were skilled in softening materials such as leather or fabric. The name is most commonly found in Germany, Austria, and parts of Scandinavia.

In German families, Milde was often used a given name, especially in the area of Franconia. It is likely that most of the people who took the surname Milde did so either because it had already been in their family for generations or because they were associated with occupations related to softening materials.

In modern times, the surname Milde continues to be used by many German families across Europe, as well as having spread to other countries with large German populations. It can still be used as a given name, although its popularity has decreased in recent years.

The Milde family name is often associated with people who are born gentleness, who have a soft and kind nature about them. Many famous people have carried the name as part of their family history, such as novelist Bernhard Milde and actress Margaretha von Milde.

Milde: Where does the name Milde come from?

The last name Milde is most common in Germany today, where it ranks as the 1,441st most common surname in the country.

Most people with the surname Milde likely derive their name from a place name. In particular, it derives from the locative form of Mildenau, a place in Lower Saxony, Germany situated near the town of Hameln. This name is derived from the Old High German elements 'mili', which means 'meadow', and 'dun', meaning 'hill.'

The name is also common in Scandinavian countries. In Sweden, it ranks 503rd most common. It is also present in Finland, where it stands as the 384th most common surname in the country.

The surname is uncommon outside Europe. In the United States and Canada, Milde is a rare name, ranking 79,287th in the US and 65,355 in Canada in 2000. Similarly, in the UK, Milde is present but rare, ranking 32,529th in 2016.

Although the origin of the name derived from a place in Germany, it is now present throughout Europe and some parts of North America.

Variations of the surname Milde

Milde is an old German surname, coming from the Middle Ages. It can also be spelt Mild, Mylde or Myldes and is sometimes found in English and American records under the variants Mildeau and Mildow. The surname is also found in the form "de Milde" in some instances, indicating that it could have been adopted by a family migrating from Germany in the 19th century or earlier.

The origin of Milde is Old German, and it comes from the Latin word "mildus” which means “gentle,” “kind,” or “benevolent.” This surname was likely given as a nickname for someone of soft temperment or manner.

In some cases, the surname was derived from the name of a place, such as Milt, a city and district in South West Germany that has the same origins. It may also have been adopted by those belonging to or working in some form of milling or clay production, as "milder" in Old German means "miller."

Variants of the name Milde include Mild, Mylde, Myldes, Mildeau and Mildow. Common surnames with a similar origin include Mühl, Müller, Mühlmann, and Müllerin.

Famous people with the name Milde

• Ludwig Milde (1794-1867), German pianist and composer.
• Christopher Milde (born 1980), German footballer.
• Johannes Milde (1845-1915), German historian.
• Hans Milde (1912-1989), German painter.
• Guido Milde (1893-1979), German commissioner and Air Force officer.
• August Milde (1818-1898), German entomologist and herpetologist.
• Robert Milde (1897-1961), German translator and co-founder of the PEN International.
• Ramon Milde (1902-1974), Austrian cinematographer, director and art director.
• Antero Milde (1875-1951), Finnish politician and journalist.
• Kurt Milde (1914-1991), German conductor and composer.

Other surnames

MildMildbrandtMildebergerMildebrandtMildebrathMildenbergMildenbergerMildenstreyMilderMildnerMildschlagMildslaffMildt