Map of England showing where the Millar arms are recorded
The Millar arms were recorded in England, c. 1620.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in York.
Yorkshire is the largest of the English counties, and it held more gentry families than any other. Land there was split among a great many households rather than a few, so a great many of them carried arms.
This is where the arms were entered in the register. Families often moved to other parts of the country, so the same name can turn up in more than one region.
The body that granted and recorded arms in England in this period.
James VI and I
Sovereign of the period
James VI and I
1603–1625
Reigning in England when the Millar arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in England
English heraldry allowed arms to be shared by all legitimate descendants of the original owner. These symbols were treated as personal property that moved through the generations to all children. While the eldest son kept the original design, other family members could use the same shield without needing to change it or register their own unique versions.
Granting authority
The College of Arms in London has regulated the use of coats of arms throughout England and Wales since 1484.
How they got arms
Families typically obtained their coats of arms through a formal grant from the Crown or by proving their ancient right to them.
Where arms were recorded
All official coats of arms are recorded in the registers kept at the College of Arms, which date back to the fifteenth century.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of England.
Origin & History of the Millar Family in England
The surname Millar is an occupational name that originated from the Middle English word *milnere*, which referred to a person who operated a grain mill. During the medieval period, mills were essential centers of community life where farmers brought their crops to be ground into flour. Because these mills were vital to the local economy, the miller often held a respected and necessary position in the village. By the time the family was documented in York in 1620, the name had already become a well-established hereditary surname. Families with this name were often integrated into the trade networks of Northern England, where the proximity to rivers and agricultural lands made milling a stable and common profession. Over generations, the name transitioned from a simple job description into a permanent family identity that was passed down from parents to their children.
Millar Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
molinarius
Latin term for a person who operates a mill.
This name
MillarAn occupational surname for someone who worked as a miller.
also spelled
Miller
Myllar
Mylar
Related arms
Millervariant spelling
Crippsrecorded with Millar, same area
Dawbeneyrecorded with Millar, same area
Georgerecorded with Millar, same area
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Reaney, P.H. and Wilson, R.M., A Dictionary of English Surnames, 1991
Bardsley, Charles Wareing, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames, 1901
Borthwick Institute for Archives, York Diocesan Probate Records, 1620
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