Show ContentsMitchell History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Mitchell Family Crest Download (JPG) Heritage Series - 600 DPI

Family Crest Download (JPG) Heritage Series - 600 DPI

Etymology of Mitchell

What does the name Mitchell mean?

The distinguished surname Mitchell is one of the many names that first came to England in the wake of the Norman Conquest of 1066. The name is derived from the given name "Michel," meaning "who is like God." 1 One source notes of another possible origin: "Anglo-Saxon mycel, great, or mickle, would be a tolerably satisfactory etymon, and this may in some instances be the origin of the surname; but I think in most cases it is derived from Michael, a very popular baptismal name in many countries, through its French form, Michel." 2

Early Origins of the Mitchell family

The surname Mitchell was first found in many places throughout ancient Britain. As if to underscore this claim, the following entries were found in the Hundredorum Rolls of 1273: Hugh filius Micahel in Lincolnshire; Roger Michel in Norfolk; and as a forename, Mikael de Brackele in London. Years later, the Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379 listed the following: Johannes Michelson; Thomas Michilson and Adam Michelson. 3

Michele Michael was listed in the Subsidy Rolls for Somerset in 1327. Michel de Whepstede was recorded in Punchbeck, Suffolk in 1327. The Curia Regis Rolls for Northumberland listed Gilbert Michel in 1205, while the same rolls for Somerset recorded Robert Michel in Somerset in 1219. 4

"In 1198 Michael de Middelton' held a quarter of a carucate in Middleton, Wiltshire by service of keeping the king's wolf-hounds (Fees). About 1219 William Michel received per day for keeping two wolf-hounds and in 1236 Richard Michel held a cotset in Middleton for a similar service. The relationship between the three men is not stated but it appears a reasonable assumption that they were of the same family and that Michaelde Middleton had two sons who derived their surname Michel from their father's Christian name." 4

The name was "distributed over England, but far more frequent in the south. Its home, par excellence, is in the county of Cornwall, where in nearly half the instances it is written Michell, though the pronunciation is the same. Its other homes are in Sussex, Wilts, and in the West Riding. Its prevalence in Cornwall is due to the fact that several parishes and places in the county bear the name of St. Michael in one form or another." 5

In Devon, Thomas Mitchell was Warden of St Mary's College, Ottery St Mary in 1511.

Early History of the Mitchell family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Mitchell research. Another 136 words (10 lines of text) covering the years 1068, 1320, 1344, 1384, 1438, 1586, 1624, 1635, 1647, 1649, 1650, 1661, 1662, 1668, 1672, 1696, 1740, 1745, 1816 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Mitchell History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Mitchell Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Mitchell, Michel, Michell, Mitchill, Mychell, Mitcham and many more.

Early Notables of the Mitchell family

  • Vice Admiral Sir William Mitchell, KCB (c.1745-1816), an officer of the British Royal Navy, recipient of the Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath

Mitchell World Ranking

the United States, the name Mitchell is the 41st most popular surname with an estimated 397,920 people with that name. 6 However, in Canada, the name Mitchell is ranked the 55th most popular surname with an estimated 37,292 people with that name. 7 And in Quebec, Canada, the name Mitchell is the 742nd popular surname. 8 Newfoundland, Canada ranks Mitchell as 110th with 316 people. 9 Australia ranks Mitchell as 34th with 46,636 people. 10 New Zealand ranks Mitchell as 23rd with 5,897 people. 11 The United Kingdom ranks Mitchell as 44th with 86,877 people. 12 South Africa ranks Mitchell as 544th with 12,846 people. 13

Migration of the Mitchell family to Ireland

Some of the Mitchell family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 137 words (10 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Mitchell migration to the United States +



Mitchell Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
  • Francis Mitchell, aged 38, who landed in Virginia in 1618 aboard the ship "Neptune" 15
  • Maudlin Mitchell, aged 21, who arrived in Virginia in 1620 aboard the ship "Bona Nova" 15
  • Experience Mitchell, of Cambridgeshire who arrived in Plymouth, Massachusetts in 1623 aboard the ship "Anne" 15
  • Mathew Mitchell, who arrived in Connecticut in 1630
  • Edward Mitchell, aged 18, who landed in Virginia in 1635 aboard the ship "Assurance" 15
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Mitchell Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • Samuel Mitchell, who landed in Virginia in 1706 15
  • Edward Mitchell, who arrived in Virginia in 1706 15
  • Benjamin Mitchell, who arrived in Maryland in 1752
  • William Mitchell and his wife Agnes Buchanan, who emigrated from Scotland to Connecticut in 1755
  • Richard Mitchell, who arrived in America in 1760-1763 15
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Mitchell Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Spencer Cochrane Mitchell, who arrived in Maryland in 1800 15
  • Sarah Mitchell, aged 25, who arrived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1804 15
  • Jane Mitchell, who landed in America in 1804 15
  • Peter Mitchell, who landed in Savanna(h), Georgia in 1811 15
  • Spencer Mitchell, aged 35, who landed in Maryland in 1812 15
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Mitchell Settlers in United States in the 20th Century
  • Mr. Philip Mitchell, (b. 1873), aged 27, Cornish miner travelling aboard the ship "St Paul" arriving at Ellis Island, New York on 10th March 1900 en route to Butte, Montana, USA 16
  • Mr. John T. Mitchell, (b. 1875), aged 25, Cornish miner travelling aboard the ship "St Paul" arriving at Ellis Island, New York on 10th March 1900 en route to Butte, Montana, USA 16
  • Mr. Joseph Mitchell, (b. 1877), aged 23, Cornish miner travelling aboard the ship "New York" arriving at Ellis Island, New York on 15th April 1900 en route to Red Jacket, Michigan, USA 16
  • Mr. Francis Mitchell, (b. 1883), aged 17, Cornish miner travelling aboard the ship "St Paul" arriving at Ellis Island, New York on 31st March 1900 en route to Red Jacket, Michigan, USA 16
  • Mr. John Mitchell, (b. 1859), aged 42, Cornish farmer, from St Columb Major, Cornwall, UK travelling aboard the ship "Oceanic" arriving at Ellis Island, New York on 20th February 1901 en route to Chicago, Illinois, USA 16
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Mitchell migration to Canada +

Mitchell Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century
  • Mr. William Mitchell U.E. who arrived at Port Roseway, [Shelbourne], Nova Scotia on December 13, 1783 was passenger number 455 aboard the ship "HMS Clinton", picked up on November 14, 1783 at East River, New York, USA 17
  • Mr. John Mitchell U.E. who settled in Saint John, New Brunswick c. 1784 became a Freeman in 1785 was a Carpenter 17
  • Sgt. Thomas Mitchell U.E. born in Amsterdam, Holland who settled in Charlotte County, New Brunswick c. 1784 17
  • Mr. Zalmon Mitchell U.E. from Vermont, USA who settled in Eastern District [Cornwall], Ontario c. 1793 17
Mitchell Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century
  • Charles Mitchell, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1830
  • William Mitchell, who arrived in Canada in 1833
  • William Mitchell, aged 30, who landed in Quebec in 1834
  • John Mitchell, aged 35, who arrived in Quebec in 1834
  • John Mitchell, aged 30, a labourer, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1834 aboard the brig "Matilda" from Cork, Ireland
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Mitchell migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia included the First Fleet, Second Fleet and Third Fleet of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

First Fleet
  • Mr. John Mitchell, British settler convicted in Essex, England in 1788, sentenced to 14 years for theft, transported aboard the ship "Guardian" leaving in 1789 she struck an iceberg in 1789 and was turned back to Cape Town, Africafinally arriving in New South Wales in 1790 14
  • Miss Mary Mitchell, British settler convicted at Middlesex, England in 1788, sentenced to 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the ship "Neptune, Scarborough or Surprize" leaving in 1789 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1790 15
Second Fleet
  • Miss Elizabeth "Betty" Mitchell, (née Dixon), (1770 - 1837), aged 20, British settler convicted in Wiltshire, England in 1790, sentenced to 7 years for stealing clothes, transported aboard the ship "Mary Ann" leaving in 1790 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1791 15
  • Mr. Henry Mitchell, British settler convicted in Yorkshire, England in 1789, sentenced to 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the ship "Matilda" leaving in 1790 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1791 15
  • Mr. Thomas Mitchell, British settler convicted in Southampton, Hampshire, England in 1790, sentenced to 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the ship "Third Fleet" leaving in 1790 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1791 15
  • Mr. William Mitchell, British settler convicted in Middlesex, England in 1790, sentenced to 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the ship "Salamander" leaving in 1790 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1791 15
Third Fleet
  • Mr. Nathaniel Mitchell, (b. 1751), aged 36, English settler convicted in Dorchester, Dorset on 3rd August 1786, sentenced for 7 years for theft of food, transported aboard the ship "Charlotte" leaving on 13th May 1787 arriving in New South Wales, Australia on 22nd January 1788 15
  • Miss Mary Mitchell, (b. 1768), aged 19, English settler convicted in Kingston upon Thames, London on 3rd October 1785, sentenced for 7 years for theft, transported aboard the ship "Lady Penrhyn" leaving in 1787 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1788 15
  • Mr. William Mitchell, British boatswain's mate on the Navy support ship for the First Fleet the "HMS Sirius" leaving in 1787 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1788
Following the First, Second and Third Fleets, other convicts and early settlers arriving in Australia include:

Mitchell Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Mitchell 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:

Mitchell Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
  • Mr. Charles Mitchell, Cornish settler travelling from Launceston, UK aboard the ship "Brazil Packet" arriving in New Zealand in 1836 23
  • Mr. Mitchell, Australian settler travelling from Sydney aboard the ship "David" arriving in New Zealand in 1839 23
  • Mr. Francis Mitchell, (b. 1823), aged 17, British farmer travelling from England aboard the ship "Martha Ridgway" arriving in Wellington, New Zealand on 14th November 1840 23
  • Francis Mitchell, aged 17, a farmer, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Martha Ridgeway" in 1840
  • James Joseph Mitchell, aged 23, a labourer, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Bengal Merchant" in 1840 24
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Mitchell Settlers in New Zealand in the 20th Century
  • Leslie Mitchell, aged 24, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "S. S. Waimana" in 1926

Mitchell migration to West Indies +

The British first settled the British West Indies around 1604. They made many attempts but failed in some to establish settlements on the Islands including Saint Lucia and Grenada. By 1627 they had managed to establish settlements on St. Kitts (St. Christopher) and Barbados, but by 1641 the Spanish had moved in and destroyed some of these including those at Providence Island. The British continued to expand the settlements including setting the First Federation in the British West Indies by 1674; some of the islands include Barbados, Bermuda, Cayman Island, Turks and Caicos, Jamaica and Belize then known as British Honduras. By the 1960's many of the islands became independent after the West Indies Federation which existed from 1958 to 1962 failed due to internal political conflicts. After this a number of Eastern Caribbean islands formed a free association. 25
Mitchell Settlers in West Indies in the 17th Century
  • Mr. John Mitchell, (b. 1615), aged 20, British settler travelling aboard the ship "The Dorset" arriving in Barbados in September 1635 26

Contemporary Notables of the name Mitchell (post 1700) +

  • Joni Mitchell CC (b. 1943), born Roberta Joan Anderson, Canadian musician, songwriter, and painter and winner of twelve Grammy Awards, inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1997
  • Charles H. Mitchell (1940-2025), American academic administrator and professional American football player, president of the Seattle Central Community College (1987-2003) and the chancellor of the Seattle Community Colleges District (2003-2008)
  • Abbie Noel Mitchell (1918-2007), née Campbell, American Captain in the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion, first all-female, all-African-American battalion to server overseas
  • Abbie Noel Campbell Mitchell (1918-2007), American Captain in the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion, first all-female, all-African-American battalion to server overseas
  • Maria Mitchell (1818-1889), American astronomer who was the first to discover a comet with the use of a telescope and was the first woman elected Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, as well as the American Philosophical Society
  • Ella Mitchell (1935-2024), American soul singer and actress, best known for her comic role as Hattie Mae Pierce (Big Momma) in the 2000 comedy film Big Momma's House
  • Lola Chantrelle Mitchell (1979-2023), better known by her stage name Gangsta Boo, an American rapper and the second female member of the Memphis-based hip hop group Three 6 Mafia
  • Charlene Alexander Mitchell (1930-2022), African-American international socialist, feminist, labor and civil rights activist, National Co-Chair Emeritus of the Committees of Correspondence for Democracy and Socialism (CCDS)
  • Scoey Mitchell (1930-2022), American actor, writer and TV director known for frequent appearances on 1970s game shows, including Match Game and Tattletales, known for Me & Mrs. C. (1986), 13 East (1989) and Me & Mrs. C. (1984)
  • ... (Another 63 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Air New Zealand Flight 901
  • Mr. Mark Geoffrey Mitchell (1962-1979), New Zealander passenger, from Lower Hutt, North Island, New Zealand aboard the Air New Zealand Flight 901 for an Antarctic sightseeing flight when it flew into Mount Erebus; he died in the crash 27
  • Harold Mitchell (1906-1985), from Bradford who attended the Bradford City and Lincoln City Third Division match on 11th May 1985 when the Bradford City stadium fire occurred and he died in the fire
  • Mr. Robert Mitchell (d. 1914), British Bedroom Steward from United Kingdom who worked aboard the Empress of Ireland and died in the sinking 28
  • Mr. James Mitchell, British Trimmer from United Kingdom who worked aboard the Empress of Ireland (1914) and survived the sinking 29
  • Mr. Sydney Mitchell (1866-1914), American Third Class Passenger from Los Angeles, California, United States who was traveling aboard the Empress of Ireland and died in the sinking 29
  • ... (Another 48 entries are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Suggested Readings for the name Mitchell +

  • Descendants of John Mitchell of Drumore Township, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania by Warren A. Brannon.
  • The Mitchell Family of Tipton County, Tennessee by Helen Mitchell Goggins.
  1. Hanks, Patricia and Flavia Hodges, A Dictionary of Surnames. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1988. Print. (ISBN 0-19-211592-8)
  2. Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
  3. Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
  4. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
  5. Guppy, Henry Brougham, Homes of Family Names in Great Britain. 1890. Print.
  6. "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
  7. "Surnames Meanings, Origins & Distribution Maps - Forebears." Forebears, https://forebears.io/surnames
  8. "The first 1,000 family names by rank, Quebec (in French only)" Institut de la statistique du Quebec, https://statistique.quebec.ca/en/document/family-names-in-quebec/tableau/the-first-1000-family-names-by-rank-quebec
  9. The order of Common Surnames in 1955 in Newfoundland retrieved on 20th October 2021 (retrieved from Family Names of the Island of Newfoundland by E.R. Seary corrected edition ISBN 0-7735-1782-0)
  10. "Most Common Last Names in Australia." Forebears, https://forebears.io/australia/surnames
  11. "Most Common Last Names in New Zealand." Forebears, https://forebears.io/new-zealand/surnames
  12. "UK surname ranking." UK Surname map, https://www.surnamemap.eu/unitedkingdom/surnames_ranking.php?p=10
  13. "Most Common Last Names in South Africa." Forebears, https://forebears.io/south-africa/surnames
  14. Convict Records of Australia. Retrieved 4th February 2021 from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships
  15. 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)
  16. Cornwall Online Parish Clerks. (Retrieved 3rd May 2018). Retrieved from http://www.opc-cornwall.org/Resc/pdfs/emigration_ellis_island_1892_on.pdf
  17. 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
  18. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 13th August 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/earl-cornwallis
  19. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 22nd March 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/coromandel-and-experiment
  20. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 28th July 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/duke-of-portland
  21. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 9th December 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/canada
  22. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 24th October 2022). https://convictrecords.com.au
  23. New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 17th October 2018). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
  24. New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 26th March 2019). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
  25. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_West_Indies
  26. Pilgrim Ship Lists Early 1600's retrieved 29th September 2021. Retrieved from https://www.packrat-pro.com/ships/shiplist.htm
  27. Mount Erebus, Memorial, Roll of Remembrance (Retrieved 2018, February 21st). Retrieved from http://www.erebus.co.nz/memorialandawards/rollofremembrance.aspx
  28. Commemoration Empress of Ireland 2014. (Retrieved 2014, June 17) . Retrieved from http://www.empress2014.ca/seclangen/listepsc1.html

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