Recorded in a wide range of spellings including Malmar, Malamore, Melmar, Melmer, Mellmer, Melmore, Milmor, Millmore, and no doubt other forms, this is an English locational surname, although its place of origin is open to conjecture. It would appear that the surname probably originates from 'Millmoor', which is found as a village name both in Devonshire and Yorkshire. However judging by the number of spellings it may also be associated with a now 'lost' medieval village, of which the only public reminder in the 20th century is the surname itself. Some five thousand British surnames are believed to originate from 'lost' villages, so whilst still unusual, this is a regular research finding. However spelt the meaning of the name is almost certainly 'the mill on the moor', from the Olde English pre 7th century 'mylen-mor'. In or about the 12th century the prefix divided by dialect into Mill or Mell. With this name there is also a possiblity that the prefix may originate from the Olde Welsh 'moel', meaning bare or barren (moor). Early examples of the surname recordings include: Arthur Milmer of Ashburton, Devon, on October 13th 1663, and May Milmore, the daughter of Thomas Milmore, christened at St Dunstans in the East, Stepney, on May 26th 1664. Other recordings include Ann Melmor of Holborn, in the city of London, on July 10th 1794, and William Malamore, at the church of St Mary le Bone, London, on March 27th 1864.

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