Surname Miles - Meaning and Origin

Untangling my Genetic Roots with iGENEA: A Deep Dive into the Origins of the Miles Surname

I recently took a DNA test through iGENEA to uncover the roots of my Miles surname. The accuracy of the test - aided by NGS technology and quality control standards, coupled with the precise information on my lineage, has been enlightening. The test shed light on the Celtic origins of the Miles tribe and tied them to the Pictish warrior tribes of Scotland.

L. Miles

Miles: What does the surname Miles mean?

The surname or last name Miles traces back to medieval England, and it is derived from the Latin given name "Milo," which likely means "soldier," or "merciful." The name became widely popular due to Saint Milo, a 7th-century bishop of Trier. The name subsequently traveled to England with the Norman Conquest where it was anglicized into Miles. However, in Ireland, the name is also an Anglicized form of the Gaelic patronymic name Ó Maolmhuaidh, which means "descendant of the devotee of St. Máedóc." Over the centuries, the name has been spelled in various ways such as Mylles, Myles, Mylius, etc., and each variant can provide insight into the early history of the Miles family. But generally speaking, Miles as a surname has connections with service, merciness and devotion. However, it is important to note that surnames can have multiple origins and meanings, depending on the regional, historical, and individual context.

Miles: Where does the name Miles come from?

The surname Miles originally came from the Middle Ages in England and was derived from the given name Miles or Milo. The name has a Germanic origin, from the word "mil," meaning "merciful." It was brought to England by the Normans during their invasion in 1066, and over time, became a last name. Additionally, the name Miles was also used to signify a soldier or knight in medieval times, as it was derived from the Latin word "miles," meaning soldier.

Today, Miles is a common surname across English-speaking countries. In recent years, it has also been popularly used as a first name. In the United States, the name has a strong presence, especially in states like Alabama, Idaho, Nebraska, and West Virginia. Apart from the US, the name is widespread in England and Australia. It is also occasionally found in places like Canada, New Zealand, and South Africa.

Variations of the surname Miles

The surname Miles is believed to have derived from the Latin word "miles", meaning "soldier". It was also used in medieval England as a given name, 'Miles', of Norman origin. Variants for this surname may include Myles, Mylles, Mille, Mylle, Mille, Mile, Myal, Myall, and Meyell.

There are also similar surnames that could potentially originate from Miles due to the shifting and evolving nature of language, phonetics and spelling over the centuries, such as Mills and Milles. In some cases, the surname could originate from the German 'Milz', as immigrants commonly anglicized their surnames.

In Ireland, Miles is often seen as a variant of Milo, which itself could be an anglicized form of the Gaelic O Maolmhuaidh, which means 'descendant of the devotee of the noble'. In this case, Irish variants could also include Melia, Malley and Miley.

It should be noted that variations of a surname might have evolved separately and thus may not always indicate familial relations. Factors like geographical location, local dialect, literacy levels, and personal preference all played a part in how surnames were spelled and recorded in historical documents.

Famous people with the name Miles

• Miles Davis: The master of modern jazz, Miles Davis was a trumpet innovator whose influence on jazz and other musical forms has been felt and appreciated for over five decades.
• Bob Miles: Bob Miles was a prominent civil rights activist active primarily in the Mississippi Freedom Movement.
• Sarah Miles: Sarah Miles is an English film and stage actress. She is best known for her roles in the films “Ryan’s Daughter” and “Hope and Glory”.
• Paul Miles: Paul Miles is an award-winning British writer and filmmaker. He is best known for his comedy work, which includes the popular comedy series “Crazy Trains”.
• Dianna Miles: Dianna Miles is an Emmy-nominated journalist. She is currently the chief investigative correspondent for WVIT’s “Mystery Files”.
• Israel Miles: Israel Miles was an African-American civil rights leader famous for his involvement in the landmark 1954 Supreme Court case Brown v. Board of Education.
• David Miles: David Miles is a British economist and professor at the University of Oxford. He is a leading economic theorist, having contributed much to the field of macroeconomics.
• Denílson Miles: Denílson Miles is a Brazilian World Cup winning football player. He is best known for his time with the famous Portuguese club Real Madrid, where he won the 2002 Champions League.
• Charlie Miles: Charlie Miles is an American professional golfer. He has competed on the PGA tour and is notable for winning the 2006 Harry Vardon Trophy.
• Kim Miles: Kim Miles is an American rock musician. She is the lead guitarist and backing vocal for the popular rock band The Dragmasters.

Other surnames

MileckMilehamMilekMilentijevicMilentonMilerMileskiMileskyMilewskiMilewskyMiley