Mills (surname)

Mills is a common surname of Anglo-Saxon origin. It is derived from the Middle English word "mille" or "mylle," meaning a mill, and denotes someone who lived near a mill, worked in a mill (a miller), or owned a mill. The term typically refers to a grain mill powered by water or wind.

The surname is prevalent in English-speaking countries, including England, Scotland, Ireland, the United States, Canada, and Australia.

Variants of the name include Mill, Milne, and Milles.

Notable people with the surname Mills include:

• John Stuart Mill (1806-1873): British philosopher and economist.
• Hayley Mills (born 1946): British actress.
• John Mills (1908-2005): British actor.
• Alyson Mills (born 1951): American model and actress.
• Stephanie Mills (born 1957): American singer and actress.
• Danny Mills (born 1977): English footballer.

The distribution of the surname suggests a widespread occupation and geographic significance associated with mills in medieval England and beyond.