This page needs Javascript enabled in order to work properly. Click here for instructions on how to enable it in your browser.
Surname Header Image
Get access to Milligan family records.Start a 14-Day Free Trial

Milligan Family History

Milligan Surname Meaning

Irish: Anglicized form of Gaelic Ó Maolagáin ‘descendant of Maoileagán’ a personal name from a double diminutive of maol meaning ‘bald’ or ‘tonsured’.

Source: Dictionary of American Family Names 2nd edition, 2022


Similar surnames: 

Search for a relative to learn more about your family history.

Hint: Try searching for a relative alive in 1940.

Where is the Milligan family from?

You can see how Milligan families moved over time by selecting different census years. The Milligan family name was found in the USA, the UK, Canada, and Scotland between 1840 and 1920. The most Milligan families were found in USA in 1880. In 1891 there were 465 Milligan families living in Lancashire. This was about 30% of all the recorded Milligan's in United Kingdom. Lancashire had the highest population of Milligan families in 1891.
Use census records and voter lists to see where families with the Milligan surname lived. Within census records, you can often find information like name of household members, ages, birthplaces, residences, and occupations.
Mapbox
© Mapbox © OpenStreetMap Improve this map

What did your Milligan ancestors do for a living?

In 1939, General Labourer and Unpaid Domestic Duties were the top reported jobs for men and women in the United Kingdom named Milligan. 15% of Milligan men worked as a General Labourer and 71% of Milligan women worked as an Unpaid Domestic Duties. Some less common occupations for Americans named Milligan were Painter decorator and Unpaid Domestic.

View Census Data for Milligan | Data not to scale

*We display top occupations by gender to maintain their historical accuracy during times when men and women often performed different jobs.

Top Male Occupations In 1939

  • General Labourer
    15%
  • Incapacitated
    6%
  • Medical Practitioner
    5%
  • Painter decorator
    3%

Top Female Occupations In 1939

  • Unpaid Domestic Duties
    71%
  • Private Means
    4%
  • Housewife
    3%
  • Unpaid Domestic
    2%

What Milligan family records will you find?

Census Records

There are 150,000 census records available for the last name Milligan. Like a window into their day-to-day life, Milligan census records can tell you where and how your ancestors worked, their level of education, veteran status, and more.

Search UK census records for Milligan

Passenger Lists

There are 23,000 immigration records available for the last name Milligan. Passenger lists are your ticket to knowing when your ancestors arrived in the UK, and how they made the journey - from the ship name to ports of arrival and departure.

View all Milligan immigration records

Draft Cards

There are 24,000 military records available for the last name Milligan. For the veterans among your Milligan ancestors, military collections provide insights into where and when they served, and even physical descriptions.

View all Milligan military records

You've only scratched the surface of Milligan family history

Discover More

What is the average Milligan lifespan?

Between 1943 and 2004, in the United States, Milligan life expectancy was at its lowest point in 1944, and highest in 1952. The average life expectancy for Milligan in 1943 was 38, and 73 in 2004.

View Social Security Death Index (SSDI) for Milligan

An unusually short lifespan might indicate that your Milligan ancestors lived in harsh conditions. A short lifespan might also indicate health problems that were once prevalent in your family. The SSDI is a searchable database of more than 70 million names. You can find birthdates, death dates, addresses and more.

Discover the unique achievements of ancestors in the Milligan family tree

Explore Your Tree
Search for another surname
Enter last name/surname
Start a 14-Day Free Trial