A male name. Old German Milo, a name of doubtful etymology, possibly connected with OSlav milu ‘merciful’. The name was introduced into England by the Normans as Miles (cas- sujet) or Milon (cos-régime) and became fairly common, giving rise to the surnames Miles, Mills, Milson. It was less common from the 16th to 19th C but has been somewhat revived of late. In Ireland it has been used to render the native Maolmuire ‘servant of Mary’.

Milo Domesday Book 1086, Curia Regis Rolls 1106-1220. Milon Hundred Rolls 1273. Miles Coventry Mysteries 15th C.

Is the English, Myles the Irish form of a Greek word meaning ‘crusher’: μύλος (mŭlos), ‘a millstone’; cf. μύλών (mŭlōn), ‘a mill,’ whence the Milon of The Golden Ass, by Apuleius (delightfully translated by Jack Lindsay),—perhaps Latin miles, ‘a soldier’ (in these days he feels he is being crushed),—and Celtic milidh, likewise ‘a soldier’, this last being probably the immediate, the operative origin (causa causans), with Miles merely Anglicizing Myles.

Some render this name ‘crusher.’ Arthur derives it from the Latin millium, a kind of grain; but he adds, ‘Some think it a contraction of Michael,’ Lower says of the surname Miles, ‘From Milo, a not unusual personal name among the Normans, oftener perhaps a corruption of Michael, through Mighell;’ and he adds, ‘In some districts Michaelmas is commonly called Milemas.’ I derive Miles from Milesius (not the classical name), Latinised from the Irish mile, milead, a soldier, a champion; Gaelic milidh, a hero, a renowned person.’ I find I am confirmed in this by Dr. MacDermott in the Annals of Ireland, in a note on the name Breogan. The last-named author, however, states that the Old Irish Maolmordha (a favourite name of the Chiefs of the O’Reillys) has been Anglicised to Myles or Miles.

A Greek name, meaning: A warrior. (Latin) Soldier.