Moulin is a French occupational surname meaning "mill" (from Old French moulins). It originated as a name for someone who worked at a mill or lived near one, a common practice in medieval France where surnames often described a person's trade or residence. The surname is equivalent to the English surname Miller, Dutch Mulder, Danish Møller, and Czech Mlynář (masculine) or Mlynářová (feminine).Variants and Related NamesA common variant in French is Meunier, which means "miller" but derives from the direct occupational term rather than the mill itself. Both names reflect the importance of milling in pre-industrial society. In English, the equivalent Mills also derives from the same root, typically indicating someone who lived near a mill.Notable BearersThe surname Moulin is borne by various individuals in France and the Diaspora. Although the dataset does not provide a specific list, the name appears in the 2010 United States Census as the 38,389th most common surname, with 577 bearers, predominantly White (88.73%). Notable figures include French artists like Jean Moulin (1899–1943), a hero of the French Resistance, though his surname is identical.Geographic DistributionMoulin is most common in France, especially in regions with historic mills such as Brittany, Normandy, and the Loire Valley. It also appears in former French colonies, particularly in Quebec (Canada) and parts of Africa like Réunion. In the United States, it is relatively rare but present among families of French origin.Meaning: Miller or mill (occupational)Origin: FranceType: Occupational surnameUsage Regions: France, Canada, United States