"The English surname Milsom is patronymic in origin, that is, it belongs to the category of surnames derived from the first name of the father of the initial bearer. In this case, the name indicates "son of Mile(s)", an ancient given name believed to be derived from the Old Germanic "Milo", which is possibly a derivative of the Slavic word "milu" meaning "merciful". This personal name was introducted into England by the Normans in the forms Miles and Milon. However, in some instances, this surname is matronymic in origin, derived from the first name of the mother. Here the name again denotes "son of Mil", a short form of Millicent", a variant of the Old German "Amalsuintha", composed of "amal" meaning "work" and "swintha" meaning "strong". This personal name was very popular among the Lombards and Burgundians and appears early as Malasintha, Melisenda, the name of a daughter of Charlemagne. This name was introduced into England during the Norman French Conquest as Melisent. Variants of this surname include Millsom, Millson, Millsum, Melsom, Melsome, Melson and Mills. One of the earliest records of this surname or a variant dates back to 1309 when one Richard Milleson is mentioned in the Assize Rolls of Staffordshire. Thomas Milsson is mentioned in the Poll Tax Returns for Yorkshire in 1379 and Robert Melsam is listed in the Subsidy Rolls at Suffolk in 1524. The Hearth Tax Returns for the same county contains a reference to one Thomas Melson in 1674 and the marriage of William Milsom and Sarah Staples took place in St. George, Hannover Square in 1773.
The original Grants of Arms that I hold were granted to firstly Rev. Edward Milsom and secondly to Cecil Francis Milsom. The Family Arms and Crest are shown below and described as follows:
ARMS (SHIELD)
Argent, on a BEND Azure between three STAGS' HEADS couped at the neck affrontee Proper, as many ANNULETS Or (Gold) CREST MOTTO
HONESTA QUAM MAGNA "How great are honourable deeds"     |