Show ContentsMcMickell History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The old Scottish-Dalriadan name McMickell is derived from the devotion of an ancestor to St. Michael. The Gaelic form of the surname is Mac Giolla Mhicheil , which means son of the servant of St. Michael. 1

Early Origins of the McMickell family

The surname McMickell was first found in Angus (Gaelic: Aonghas), part of the Tayside region of northeastern Scotland, and present day Council Area of Angus, formerly known as Forfar or Forfarshire.

Early spellings for the family were closer to the Gaelic version: "Malmur Mac Gillemichel was one of the perambulators of the lands of Balfeth in Angus between 1204 and 1211. Gillecolme Makgillemichell and Kennathe Makgillemichell were charter witnesses in Lesmore, Argyllshire, 1251, and Makbeth Makgilmichel was present at pleas held at Dull in 1264. In the end of the thirteenth century Malcolm, earl of Lennox, transferred to Sir John of Luss the homage and service of Maldofen Macgillemychmore and his heirs. Celestine Macgillemichaell was a cleric of the diocese of Argyll, 1411, and another Celestine McGilmichel witnessed an Atholl charter in 1453." 2

Early History of the McMickell family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our McMickell research. Another 231 words (16 lines of text) covering the years 1204, 1480, 1506, 1507, 1527, 1532, 1557, 1597, 1613, 1624, 1632, 1646, 1675, 1677, 1735, 1788 and 1890 are included under the topic Early McMickell History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

McMickell Spelling Variations

Translation in medieval times was an undeveloped science and was often carried out without due care. For this reason, many early Scottish names appeared radically altered when written in English. The spelling variations of McMickell include MacMichael, MacGilliemichael, M'Ilmichael, McKillmichaell, McKilmichael, Macmitchel, McMitchell and many more.

Early Notables of the McMickell family

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

Ireland Migration of the McMickell family to Ireland

Some of the McMickell family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 51 words (4 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the McMickell family

These settlers arrived in North America at a time when the east was burgeoning with prosperous colonies and the expanses of the west were just being opened up. The American War of Independence was also imminent. Some Scots stayed to fight for a new country, while others who remained loyal went north as United Empire Loyalists. The ancestors of all of them went on to rediscover their heritage in the 20th century through highland games and other patriotic Scottish events. The McMickell were among these contributors, for they have been located in early North American records: Alexander, Archibald, Daniel, James, John, Stewart, Thomas, Walter and William McMichael all arrived in Philadelphia between 1840 and 1860.



  1. Sims, Clifford Stanley The Origin and Signification of Scottish Surnames. 1862. Print.
  2. 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)


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