Show ContentsMitchinson History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The distinguished surname Mitchinson 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

Early Origins of the Mitchinson family

The surname Mitchinson was first found in Lancashire, where Michaelis de Areci was listed in a record from 1160. 2

A name that has been most popular in the north of England and into Scotland, Yorkshire was the next place where the family was listed, specifically the Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379 which listed "Johannes Michelson; Thomas Michilson; and Adam Michelson as all listed as holding lands there at that time. 1

In Scotland, the name "was common in Newburgh in Fife in the middle of the sixteenth century as Michelson. In Latin documents it usually appears in the Latin genitive form, e.g. in 1395 William Michaelis is mentioned as owner of a tenement in Innerkethyn, Johne Michelsone had a safe conduct in England, 1398, Donald Michaelis was vicar of Lethnot in 1435, and in 1439 we have mention of Robert Mechelson whose name is Latinized in the same document as Robertus Michaelis. 3

Early History of the Mitchinson family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Mitchinson research. Another 320 words (23 lines of text) covering the years 1061, 1068, 1336, 1408, 1433, 1438, 1454, 1463, 1464, 1474, 1475, 1484, 1499, 1500, 1617 and 1633 are included under the topic Early Mitchinson History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Mitchinson Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Mitchelson, Mitchellson, Mitcheson, Mitchieson, Michaelson, Michaelbegson, Mickleson, Michelson and many more.

Early Notables of the Mitchinson family

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


United States Mitchinson migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Mitchinson Settlers in United States in the 20th Century
  • Mrs. Emily Mitchinson, (b. 1866), aged 39, Cornish settler travelling aboard the ship "St Paul" arriving at Ellis Island, New York in 1905 en route to Wardner, Idaho, USA 4
  • Mr. Thomas Mitchinson, (b. 1868), aged 37, Cornish miner travelling aboard the ship "St Paul" arriving at Ellis Island, New York in 1905 en route to Wardner, Idaho, USA 4

Contemporary Notables of the name Mitchinson (post 1700) +

  • Steven Mitchinson (b. 1975), English lawn bowler from Harlow, Essex who competed in the World Champion of Champions in 2011
  • Sam Mitchinson (b. 1992), English-born, Australian footballer
  • John Mitchinson (b. 1932), English operatic tenor from Blackrod, Lancashire
  • Wendy Mitchinson, Canadian historian at the University of Waterloo, Canada Research Chair in Gender and Medical history
  • Scott Michael Mitchinson (b. 1984), Australian minor league baseball player for the Oakland Athletics
  • Martin Mitchinson, Canadian author of The Darien Gap, a non-fiction book, published 2008
  • John Mitchinson, British head of research for the British television panel game QI
  • John Mitchinson DD (1833-1918), English teacher, Anglican priest, Bishop of Barbados, Master of Pembroke College, Oxford (1899-1918)
  • William Mitchinson Hicks FRS (1850-1934), British mathematician and physicist


The Mitchinson 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: Crescam ut prosim
Motto Translation: I will increase, that I may do good.


  1. Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
  2. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
  3. 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)
  4. Cornwall Online Parish Clerks. (Retrieved 3rd May 2018). Retrieved from http://www.opc-cornwall.org/Resc/pdfs/emigration_ellis_island_1892_on.pdf


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