What is a mize?

Answer 1

Like many surnames in the USA the name Mize is often the result of European names being changed when people immigrated. Names like Mize, Mizee, Mizell, Mizer, Mizner, and others may have resulted from American Immigration workers not being able to spell the names being given to them by immigrants. You really have to trace back your family tree to find out whether your name was Mize originally or if it became Mize the day your ancestors stepped off the boat.

In my case I was able to trace the name back to two brothers who were given a land grant in the 1600's. They appear to have come from the Mizen Head area of Ireland when the name Mize implied that you were from Mizen Head. At some point those people were reported to have come to Ireland from the region this is now France near the Italian border. And if you look at that part of France there are a few towns that have names that start with Miz.

However, there is also a Mizen Head Hotel in Bamburgh, Northumberland in the UK. Its on the coast, roughly halfway between Newcastle and Edinburgh. I haven't done any research on that yet.

Hope this helps.

Mike Mize

Fresno, Ca.

Answer 2

In the US, Mize is a last name and a town in Mississippi.