Milford

Milford is a toponym used for numerous settlements in English-speaking countries. The name derives from Old English elements mylen or myln, meaning mill, and ford, meaning a river crossing, effectively “the ford by the mill.” Variants include Milford and Milford.

In the United States, Milford is the name of several municipalities, often founded near mills and river crossings. Notable examples include Milford, Connecticut, a coastal city in New Haven County on Long Island Sound with a history dating to the 17th century; Milford, Delaware, a small city in Sussex County; Milford, New Hampshire, a town in Hillsborough County; Milford, Michigan, a city in Oakland County near Detroit; Milford, Massachusetts, a historic town in Worcester County; Milford, Ohio, a village in Clermont County; and Milford, Pennsylvania, a borough in Pike County.

In the United Kingdom, Milford appears in several places, including Milford on Sea in Hampshire and Milford Haven in Pembrokeshire, Wales, both coastal settlements with maritime histories.

The name is also used in other regions with English-speaking heritage. Milford is commonly found in local government records, postal designations, and geographic databases to identify distinct communities sharing the same toponym.