Skip Ancestry navigation Skip to Footer Ancestry Home
  • Home
  • Trees
  • Search
  • Memories
  • DNA
  • Subscribe
  • Cart
  • Sign In
Home
Loading

Trees you own

    Shared with you

      Tree tools

      • My Trees
      • First Name Meanings
      • Last Name Meanings
      • Individual Records Search
      • Family Trees Support
      • Start a New Tree
      • Upload a GEDCOM
      Loading
      • Search All Records
      • Census & Electoral Rolls
      • Birth, Marriage & Death, including Parish
      • Military
      • Wills & Probate
      • Immigration & Travel
      • Schools, Directories & Church Histories
      • Public Member Trees
      • Card Catalogue
      • Member Search
      Memories
      Loading
      • Register a kit
      • AncestryDNA® Learning Hub
      • Traits Learning Hub
      • AncestryDNA®
      • AncestryDNA® Support
      Loading
      • Support Centre
      • Ancestry Academy
      • Community
      • Hire an expert
      • Site Status
      Loading
      • Support Centre
      • Ancestry Academy
      • Community
      • Hire an expert
      • Site Status
      Discover More Family Names with an Ancestry 14-day Free Trial* 
      • Support Centre
      • Ancestry Blog
      • About Us
      • Site Map
      • Gift Memberships
      • Careers
        • Ancestry Corporate
        • Fold3.com
        • ForcesWarRecords.com
        • Geneanet.org
        • Newspapers.com
        • ProGenealogists.com
        • RootsWeb.com
      • © 2002-2026 Ancestry
      • Privacy
      • Cookies
      • Terms and Conditions
      • Operated by Ancestry Ireland Unlimited Company
      Group of people

      Meaning of the first name Miles

      Origin

      Latin

      Meaning

      Soldier

      Variations

      Giles, Jiles, Milek
      The name Miles, derived from Latin, holds its origins rooted in the word miles, which translates to soldier. This name can be traced back to ancient times when it denoted someone who served in the Roman army. As an occupational name, Miles signified an individual devoted to military service and reflected the Roman society's strong emphasis on warfare and conquest.

      Throughout history, the name Miles has made appearances in various significant contexts. In ancient Rome, it was common for children to be named after renowned military commanders or warriors. Consequently, many individuals bearing the name Miles were sons or descendants of veterans who had served valiantly in battle. This tradition continued into the medieval period, where the name Miles often denoted a person of noble birth. In this context, Miles represented the importance placed on martial skills and the defense of one's land.

      In modern-day usage, the name Miles still retains elements of its historical significance. While it may no longer solely signify a soldier, it carries connotations of bravery, strength, and a connection to military history. Today, many parents choose the name Miles for their sons, drawn to its rich etymology and its association with courage and resilience. Furthermore, the name Miles has become popular in English-speaking countries and continues to be used as a given name to honor individuals with distinguished military service or to reflect one's appreciation for the sacrifice and valor exhibited by soldiers throughout history.

      Based on our records...

      Smith

      Smith

      This is the most common surname associated with Miles.
      Mary

      Mary

      This is the most common name of those married to a Miles.
      Miles

      Miles

      This is the most common name for a child of a Miles.
      Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. - © Mapbox - © OpenStreetMap - Improve this map

      What are you curious about?

      Ready to learn more about your own family? Here are two ways to begin.
      Start a free trial
      Order AncestryDNA
      calendar.webp
      Based on our records...

      Did you know?

      1898 is when there were the most people born with the first name Miles.

      Explore the origins of another name.