Carmichael History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms 

Origins Available: 
  Scotland 
  Ireland 


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

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

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.


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
Carmichael Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
Carmichael Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Carmichael migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Carmichael Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century
Carmichael Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

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

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

Contemporary Notables of the name Carmichael (post 1700) +


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 +
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