Show ContentsMickle History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The surname Mickle comes from the Middle Scottish word "meikle," "meikle" and "mekill" which meant "great," or "large." Contrary to what one may think, It is generally believed that the name was not a patronymic variant of the personal name Michael. Today, Meikle Loch is an inland loch in Aberdeenshire; Meikle Millyea, a mountain in South West Scotland; and Meikle Pap, a mountain in North East Scotland. Meikle Earnock is a suburb in the south of Hamilton, Scotland.

Early Origins of the Mickle family

The surname Mickle was first found in Liddesdale, where one of the first records of the name was Willelmus Mykl from the parish of Fyvy who was excommunicated in 1382. A few years later, Robertus Mykyl was a juror on assize in 1389. William Mikil (Mukill) was a juror on an inquest at Narn in 1431. 1

Early History of the Mickle family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Mickle research. Another 66 words (5 lines of text) covering the years 1495, 1501, 1609, 1616 and 1638 are included under the topic Early Mickle History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Mickle Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Meikle, Mickel, Mickle and others.

Early Notables of the Mickle family

More information is included under the topic Early Mickle Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Mickle Ranking

In the United States, the name Mickle is the 6,587th most popular surname with an estimated 4,974 people with that name. 2


United States Mickle migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Mickle Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
  • Archibald Mickle, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1682 3
Mickle Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • James Mickle, who landed in New York in 1790 3
Mickle Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Andrew Mickle, aged 30, who landed in Maryland in 1813 3
  • A Mickle, who arrived in San Francisco, California in 1851 3

Australia Mickle migration to Australia +

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

Mickle Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • Robert Mickle, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Forfarshire" in 1848 4
  • Elizabeth Mickle, aged 23, a domestic servant, who arrived in South Australia in 1852 aboard the ship "China" 5
  • Anne Mickle, aged 17, a domestic servant, who arrived in South Australia in 1852 aboard the ship "China" 5

New Zealand Mickle 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:

Mickle Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
  • William Mickle, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Whitby" in 1841
  • Euphemia Mickle, aged 24, who arrived in Nelson, New Zealand aboard the ship "Lloyds" in 1842
  • James Mickle, aged 3, who arrived in Nelson, New Zealand aboard the ship "Lloyds" in 1842
  • George Mickle, aged 1, who arrived in Nelson, New Zealand aboard the ship "Lloyds" in 1842
  • Margaret Mickle, aged 3 weeks, who arrived in Nelson, New Zealand aboard the ship "Lloyds" in 1842

Contemporary Notables of the name Mickle (post 1700) +

  • Stephan P. Mickle (1944-2021), American jurist, United States District Judge of the United States District Court for the Northern District of Florida
  • Jim Mickle (b. 1979), American film director, best known for his work on MulBerry Street and Stake Land
  • Andrew F. H. Mickle (1805-1863), American politician, 67th Mayor of New York from 1846 to 1847
  • Brigadier-General Gerald St. Claire Mickle (1899-1972), American Assistant Commanding General 83rd Division (1945) 6
  • William Julius Mickle (1735-1788), Scottish poet
  • Kimberley Mickle (b. 1984), Australian two-time gold medalist javelin thrower
  • Charles Mickle (1849-1910), Canadian politician from Ontario, two-time leader of the Liberal Party in the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba
  • Mickle C. Paul, American Democratic Party politician, Member of Pennsylvania State House of Representatives from Philadelphia County, 1901-02 7


The Mickle 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: Vincit veritas
Motto Translation: Truth conquers.


  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. "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
  3. 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)
  4. State Records of South Australia. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) FORFARSHIRE 1848. Retrieved from http://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/BSA/1848Forfarshire.htm
  5. South Australian Register Tuesday 3 February 1852. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) CHINA 1852. Retrieved http://www.theshipslist.com/ships/australia/china1852.shtml
  6. Generals of World War II. (Retrieved 2013, May 9) Gerald Mickle. Retrieved from http://generals.dk/general/Mickle/Gerald_St._Claire/USA.html
  7. The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2016, January 22) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html


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