Surname Mileham - Meaning and Origin
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Mileham: What does the surname Mileham mean?
The surname Mileham is of English origin and it is believed to be a geographical or locational surname. It derives from a place named 'Mileham' in Norfolk, England. This place name is made up of two Old English words: "mil" meaning "middle" and "ham" meaning "homestead" or "village". Thus, the surname Mileham could suggest that the initial bearers lived or originated from a place located in the 'middle village'. Surnames of this kind came into existence following the medieval custom of naming people after the place where they lived or from where they came. As with many surnames that come from places, it is likely that the original bearer of the surname Mileham moved from Mileham, and the new region's inhabitants then identified him by his place of origin.
Order DNA origin analysisMileham: Where does the name Mileham come from?
The surname Mileham has English origins, deriving from a geographical locality 'at the Mileham', a parish in the county of Norfolk, East England. The name is believed to have originated in the time of the Anglo-Saxons, and Mileham was historically a settlement in the Domesday book. The place name Mileham is derived from Old English words 'mil' that refers to a mill and 'ham' that signifies a village, estate, or homestead.
The surname might have been used to denote someone who lived or worked near this place. Today, the surname Mileham remains common in the United Kingdom, especially in Norfolk where it originated. The name is present to lesser extents in other English-speaking countries, like the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. However, overall, it is a quite rare surname globally. Recent studies have shown a pattern of people with this surname having migrated to the United States during the colonial period, and a few to Australia during the 19th century. Therefore, small pockets of the Mileham surname can also be found in these countries.
Variations of the surname Mileham
The surname Mileham originated from the Norse name Milham. As family names evolved over centuries, you might find variations of this surname due to phonetic interpretations, regional languages, geographical locations, and sometimes due to transcription errors in historical records. The possible variants of Mileham include Milham, Millham, Milam, Mylham, Mylam, Millam, and Milholm. These names bear the same root origin and have evolved into their current forms over time. Some related surnames of similar origin may include Middleton, Milbourne, and Milburn, all of which have the Norse root "mil" or "milh" meaning "mill." However, they are not direct variations, but rather distant relatives of the surname Mileham. It is also worth noting that variations can occur within a single family line, and tracing the evolution of a particular family's surname will require a detailed genealogical study.
Famous people with the name Mileham
- John Mileham: British politician, Member of Parliament in the 1950s
- Eddie Mileham: English cricketer
- Aimee Mileham: British actress
- David Mileham: British politician, Member of Parliament in the 1970s
- Walt Mileham: American film actor who appeared in over 49 films between 1906 and 1931
- Harry Mileham: English recipient of the Distinguished Flying Medal
- George Mileham: British soldier who was a recipient of the Victoria Cross during the First World War
- Richard Mileham: English footballer who played for Portsmouth in the 1950s
- Roy Mileham: British rower who was a member of the 1912 Olympic gold medal winning crew
- Mark Mileham: Australian cricketer who played in the Victorian Premier Cricket League in the 1970s