Milton

Milton is a name that appears as both a surname and a given name. It derives from Old English elements meaning “mill town” or “settlement by a mill,” reflecting its origin as a place name. Because of its English roots, the name spread to other parts of the world through migration and is used in various countries today. It is also a toponym for numerous places in England and in the English-speaking world.

Notable people with the given name Milton include the 17th-century English poet John Milton, best known for Paradise Lost and Areopagitica. In the 20th century and beyond, other well-known bearers include Milton Berle, an American comedian; Milton Friedman, an American economist and Nobel laureate; Milton Glaser, an American graphic designer; and Milton S. Hershey, founder of the Hershey chocolate company. The surname Milton has appeared in various public figures as well, though it is less common than as a given name.

Geographically, Milton is the name of several places in North America and elsewhere. Notable examples include Milton, Massachusetts; Milton, Ontario; and Milton, Florida. In England, Milton is part of the name of the planned town Milton Keynes in Buckinghamshire, established in 1967 as a new town to relieve housing demand and named from historic local place names. The name Milton also appears in numerous smaller villages and parish names across the English-speaking world.