Map of England showing where the Millson arms are recorded
The Millson arms were recorded in York, c. 1620.
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 Millson 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 York.
Origin & History of the Millson Family in England
The surname Millson originated as a patronymic name, meaning it was used to identify a person as the son of a man named Mill or Miles. By the early 17th century, the family had established a notable presence in the historic city of York. Records from 1620 confirm that members of the Millson family were living and working within this northern English hub during a period of significant social change. Because York served as a major center for trade and administration, families like the Millsons were often integrated into the local economy as skilled laborers or merchants. The name reflects a time when surnames were becoming permanent fixtures of identity, helping to distinguish individual households as they navigated the bustling urban environment of the Stuart era.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Miles
Derived from the Latin word for soldier or warrior.
This name
MillsonPatronymic surname meaning son of the soldier or son of Miles.
also spelled
Mylson
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Bardsley, Charles Wareing, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames, 1901
Reaney, P.H., A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
Borthwick Institute for Archives, York Diocesan Probate Records, 1620
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
cross symbolChristian faith and service
cross symbolChristian faith and service
