Millis (surname)

Millis is a surname with several possible origins. It can be:

• English: A variant of Mills, a topographic name for someone who lived by a mill or a metonymic occupational name for a miller. "Mills" itself derives from the Old English "myln" meaning mill, ultimately from the Latin "molina". The "is" suffix is likely possessive, indicating someone associated with the mill, or a patronymic form.

• Irish: An Anglicized form of the Gaelic surname Ó Maoilmhichíl, meaning "descendant of (the devotee of) St. Michael." Maoilmhichíl combines maol, meaning "devotee" or "tonsured one," and Michíl, the Irish form of the name Michael. Over time, through simplification and Anglicization, the name transformed into variants like Millis.

• Other European: It is possible, although less common, that "Millis" could originate from other European languages, bearing resemblance to names with similar sounds or meanings related to milling or location. Genealogical research is necessary to confirm such origins.

Given the multiple possible origins, determining the specific etymology for any individual bearing the surname Millis requires careful genealogical research, taking into account factors such as geographic location, historical records, and family history.