Show ContentsCarmichael History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The roots of the name Carmichael are found among the Strathclyde-Briton people of the ancient Scottish/English Borderlands. Carmichael was originally found in the barony of Carmichael in the county of Lanarkshire where the earliest existing records of the family indicate that they resided in this county before the 11th century Norman Conquest. Early records show that they lived at Glegern (now Cleghorn,) which they were granted in the late 12th century by King David I of Scotland. Robert de Caramicely is mentioned in records in 1226. William de Creimechel witnessed a charter by Nerssus de Lundors c. 1225.

Little is mentioned of the family until more than a century later when William de Carmichael is mentioned in a charter of lands of Poufeigh c. 1350 and Sir John de Carmychell had a charter of the lands of Carmychell between 1374 and 1384 granted by William earl of Douglas for his assistance of King Charles VI of France against the English. [1]

Today, Carmichael is a small village between Lanark and Biggar, in South Lanarkshire, Scotland, home to the "Discover Carmichael Centre," featuring the history of the Carmichael family in Scotland.

Early Origins of the Carmichael family

The surname Carmichael was first found in Lanarkshire (Gaelic: Siorrachd Lannraig) a former county in the central Strathclyde region of Scotland, now divided into the Council Areas of North Lanarkshire, South Lanarkshire, and the City of Glasgow.

"This place derives its name from St. Michael, to whom its first church was dedicated. The remains of antiquity of which historical use can be made, are very few; in the south-west corner of the parish are vestiges of a camp and military station, and a few years ago, a large coffin constructed of sandstone was found, but destitute of any mark to guide opinion as to its probable origin. On the summit of the lofty mountain of Tinto, is a cairn or heap of stones; and in some parts, are stone crosses, all of which point out the places of military occupation and engagement, concerning the particular facts of which nothing determinate is on record. The ancient and illustrious family of Carmichael occupy the most prominent place in the civil history of the parish." [2]

George Carmichael "thesaurer" of Glasgow was elected bishop late in 1482 but died the following year without having been confirmed. A few years later, John of Carmichael was an Edinburgh councillor in 1518. John Kirkmichael of Carmichael who escaped the carnage of Verneuil in 1424 was appointed by the French king for the recognition of the great services by the Scots in France. He was known in French history as Jean de St. Michael and founded there a cathedral which was maintained for his fellow Scottish countrymen slain at Verneuil.

In the Battle of Beauge, Sir John distinguished himself by unseating the Duke of Clarence, the English King's brother, but broke his lance; hence the Family Crest became the broken lance.

Early History of the Carmichael family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Carmichael research. The years 1578, 1587, 1600, 1606, 1638, 1672, 1701, 1710, 1729, 1767, 1779, 1849 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Carmichael History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Carmichael Spelling Variations

It is only in the last few hundred years that rules have developed and the process of spelling according to sound has been abandoned. Scottish names from before that time tend to appear under many different spelling variations. Carmichael has been spelled Carmichael, Carmichail, Carmichale, Carmicham, Carmackhell and many more.

Early Notables of the Carmichael family

Notable amongst the family at this time was

  • James Carmichael (fl. 1587), Scottish grammarian who published a Latin grammar at Cambridge in September 1587. Sir John Carmichael (d. 1600), of Carmichael, was a powerful border chief, was the eldest...
  • Sir James Carmichael, Lord Carmichael, (1578?-1672), was the third son of Walter Carmichael of Hyndford, by Grizel, daughter of Sir John Carmichael of Meadowflat. He was originally designated of Hyndf...
  • John Carmichael, 2nd Lord Carmichael and 1st Earl of Hyndford (1638-1710), was son of William, master of Carmichael, and Lady Grizel Douglas, third daughter of the first marquis of Douglas, was born o...
  • John Carmichael third Earl of Hyndford (1701-1767), was a diplomatist, son of James, second earl, and Lady Elizabeth Maitland, only daughter of John, fifth earl of Lauderdale, was born at Edinburgh on...
  • Gershom Carmichael (1672-1729), Scottish philosopher and the Earl of Hyndford

Carmichael Ranking

In the United States, the name Carmichael is the 1,414th most popular surname with an estimated 22,383 people with that name. [3] However, in Australia, the name Carmichael is ranked the 972nd most popular surname with an estimated 4,083 people with that name. [4]

Ireland Migration of the Carmichael family to Ireland

Some of the Carmichael family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 132 words (9 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


United States Carmichael migration to the United States +

Unwelcome in their beloved homeland, many Scots sailed for the colonies of North America. There, they found land and freedom, and even the opportunity to make a new nation in the American War of Independence. These Scottish settlers played essential roles in the founding of the United States, and the shaping of contemporary North America. Among them:

Carmichael Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
  • John Carmichael, who arrived in Maine in 1651-1652 [5]
Carmichael Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • Donald Carmichael, who settled in New York State in 1738
  • Daniel Carmichael, who landed in New York in 1738 [5]
  • Donald Carmichael, who landed in New York in 1738 [5]
  • Dugald Carmichael, who arrived in New York in 1738 [5]
  • Dugald Carmichael and his wife Catherine and four children settled in New York state in 1739
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Carmichael Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • James Carmichael, who landed in Charleston, South Carolina in 1803 [5]
  • Peter Carmichael, who landed in America in 1803 [5]
  • Edward Carmichael, aged 29, who arrived in Maryland in 1812 [5]
  • Evan Carmichael, who settled in Wilmington North Carolina with his wife and three children
  • Samuel Carmichael, who landed in Mississippi in 1841 [5]
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Canada Carmichael migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Carmichael Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century
  • Mr. Donald Carmichael U.E. who settled in Digdeguash, Charlotte County, New Brunswick c. 1783 he served in the 74th Regiment [6]
  • Mr. Dugold Carmichael U.E. who settled in Digdeguash, Charlotte County, New Brunswick c. 1783 he served in the 74th Highlanders Regiment [6]
  • Mr. Duncan Carmichael U.E. who settled in Digdeguash, Charlotte County, New Brunswick c. 1783 he served in the 74th Regiment [6]
Carmichael Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century
  • James Carmichael, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1848

Australia Carmichael migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Carmichael Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • Mr. Adam Carmichael, British convict who was convicted in Aberdeen, Scotland for 14 years, transported aboard the "Calcutta" in February 1803, arriving in New South Wales, Australia, the settlement was listed as abandoned and most of the convicts transported to Tasmania on the "Queen" in 1804 [7]
  • Frances Carmichael, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Navarino" in 1837 [8]
  • George Carmichael, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Navarino" in 1837 [8]
  • Ann Carmichael, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Moffatt" in 1839 [9]
  • Barbara Carmichael, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Moffatt" in 1839 [9]
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

New Zealand Carmichael migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Carmichael Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
  • Duncan Carmichael, aged 30, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Jane Gifford" in 1842 [10]
  • Mary Carmichael, aged 27, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Jane Gifford" in 1842 [10]
  • David Carmichael, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Wild Duck" in 1860
  • M. Carmichael, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Wild Duck" in 1860
  • P. Carmichael, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Wild Duck" in 1860
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Carmichael (post 1700) +

  • Franklin Carmichael RCA (1890-1945), Canadian artist, born in Orillia, Ontario, the youngest original member of Canada's "Group of Seven"
  • Ralph Carmichael (1927-2021), American composer and arranger of both secular pop music and contemporary Christian music, one of the pioneers of the Christian music
  • Albert Eugene "Gene" Carmichael Jr. (1927-2014), American politician and businessman
  • Albert Reinhold Carmichael (1928-2019), American NFL football player for the Green Bay Packers (1953–1958) and the Denver Broncos (1960–1961)
  • James F. "Jim" Carmichael (1939-2016), American politician, Member of the Ohio House of Representatives (2001-2008)
  • Gilbert Ellzey "Gil" Carmichael (1927-2016), American businessman, transportation policy specialist and politician
  • Nelson Carmichael (b. 1965), American Olympic freestyle skier
  • Leonard Carmichael (1898-1973), American educator and psychologist, eponym of the lunar crater so named
  • Robert Daniel Carmichael (1879-1967), leading American mathematician
  • Ricky Carmichael (b. 1979), American professional motocross racer
  • ... (Another 10 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Halifax Explosion
  • Miss Edith Margarita  Carmichael (1917-1917), Canadian resident from Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada who died in the Halifax Explosion (1917) [11]


The Carmichael Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Toujours prest
Motto Translation: Always ready.


Suggested Readings for the name Carmichael +

  • The Carmichael Clan, Westbrook and Allied Families by Opal Carmichael Phoenix.
  • The Scottish Highlander Carmichaels of the Carolinas by Roderick L. Carmichael.

  1. Black, George F., The Surnames of Scotland Their Origin, Meaning and History. New York: New York Public Library, 1946. Print. (ISBN 0-87104-172-3)
  2. Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of Scotland. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
  3. "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
  4. "Most Common Last Names in Australia." Forebears, https://forebears.io/australia/surnames
  5. Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
  6. Rubincam, Milton. The Old United Empire Loyalists List. Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc, 1976. (Originally published as; United Empire Loyalists. The Centennial of the Settlement of Upper Canada. Rose Publishing Company, 1885.) ISBN 0-8063-0331-X
  7. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 25th November 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/calcutta
  8. State Records of South Australia. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) NAVARINO 1837. Retrieved from http://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/BSA/1837Navarino.htm
  9. State Records of South Australia. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) MOFFATT 1839. Retrieved from http://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/BSA/1839Moffatt.htm
  10. New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 17th October 2018). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
  11. Halifax Explosion Book of Remembrance | Maritime Museum of the Atlantic. (Retrieved 2014, June 23) . Retrieved from https://maritimemuseum.novascotia.ca/what-see-do/halifax-explosion/halifax-explosion-book-remembrance


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