Surname Mils - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'M'
Mils: What does the surname Mils mean?
The surname Mils is of Old French origin and is a topographic surname derived from the words “mitty meaning an area of land cleared of trees” or “milles meaning a marsh”. It is believed to be found among the Norman invaders of England in the 12th century, and would have referred to someone who lived in a wooded area near a marshland.
In French, the suffix “–mille” could refer to a thousand or a thousandth, suggesting that Mils is also a form of the French surname Millasse. Mils may also originate from the word “mille,” meaning “beautiful” or “lovely”, in which case the surname would indicate that the original bearer was possessed of graceful or beautiful features.
Mils is found as a surname in the United Kingdom, especially in the English county of Cheshire. It is also found in Ireland with the prefix Mac- meaning “son of”. It is spoken in Scotland, Australia, and Canada, and is also present in the United States, buried among many others of similar-sounding origin.
Those with the surname Mils are associated with a range of personalities and careers. Famous people with the name include English professional footballer Andy Mils, American actress Sarah Miles, singer and entertainer Jimmy Milsap, and British jazz singer-songwriter and activist Laura Mvula.
The Mils surname carries with it a range of features from the Normans land-clearing merchant to the lovely and beautiful. It is seen in many countries and is linked to many different personalities through the ages.
Order DNA origin analysisMils: Where does the name Mils come from?
The last name Mils is most commonly found in the Czech Republic and parts of Slovakia today. It is believed to be a variation of the more common Czech surname Millýs, which itself is derived from the Old Slavic personal name Miloslav. This name is composed of two elements which translate to 'dear' and 'glory' and was used as a first name in the Middle Ages.
In the Czech Republic, Mils is the 45th most common surname today. There are also some occurrences of the last name Mils in Austria and Germany. Additionally, it is found in other countries, such as the United States and Canada, where it has been adopted by immigrants from the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and other parts of Eastern Europe.
Mils is also a place name in parts of Brazil and other countries in South America. It is believed that the surname was adopted by Portuguese settlers coming from Europe, and is unrelated to the Czech-Slovak version of Mils. It is possible that they adopted the name because of its association with St. Mils, the patron saint of the city of Ferreira do Zezere in Portugal.
Variations of the surname Mils
The surname Mils is of English origin, deriving from the Old English word 'milce', meaning 'milk', and is found mainly in the border country between Scotland and England. Variants of the surname Mils include Mills, Milse, Milles, Milce, Milcs, Milcee, Miles, Mylls, Millis, and Mylce.
Spellings of the surname Mils include Mile, Meilce, Mhelce, Mhelse, and Mhylce, all of which are rare. Mils is also found in various spellings in other languages, such as Milles in French and Meillinen in Finnish.
In some cases, minor variations of the surname Mils are used as surnames or given names, such as Myles or Mylce. These variants are fairly common and can be found in English, Scottish, Irish, Welsh, and Dutch Ottoman records.
There are also a few other surnames that are related to Mils, such as Mells, Melks, Millard, Miles, Milson, Milson, Millsaps, and Millward. These are most common in the United Kingdom, although occasional records of them can be found in other parts of the world.
Overall, the surname Mils is an ancient surname of English origin, and its variants, spellings, and related surnames are fairly common in the English-speaking world.
Famous people with the name Mils
- Natalia Milstein-Lombardo, Argentine actress, director and producer
- Daniel Mils, Austrian fashion designer
- Bruce Mils, American fashion photographer
- Jimmy Mils, Scottish footballer
- Anna Mils, Australian politician
- Gerhard Mils, Austrian neurologist
- Kane Mils, New Zealand glassblower
- Hans Mils, Danish sculptor
- Judith Mils, Australian psychologist
- Justin Mils, South African cricketer
- Helen Mils, South African journalist
- Tom Mils, British painter
- Jim Mils, English actor
- Adam Mils, Australian actor
- Les Mils, Canadian blues musician
- Torin Mils, American youth activist