| ![Show Contents]() Michans History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
- Origins Available:
Scotland
Ireland
Etymology of MichansWhat does the name Michans mean? In the mountains of Scotland's west coast and on the Hebrides islands, the ancestors of the Michans family were born. Their name comes 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 Michans familyThe surname Michans 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 Michans familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Michans 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 Michans History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Michans Spelling VariationsSpelling variations are a very common occurrence in records of early Scottish names. They result from the repeated and inaccurate translations that many names went through in the course of various English occupations of Scotland. Michans has been spelled MacMichael, MacGilliemichael, M'Ilmichael, McKillmichaell, McKilmichael, Macmitchel, McMitchell and many more. Early Notables of the Michans familyMore information is included under the topic Early Michans Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Migration of the Michans family to IrelandSome of the Michans 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 Michans familyScottish settlers arrived in many of the communities that became the backbones of the United States and Canada. Many stayed, but some headed west for the endless open country of the prairies. In the American War of Independence, many Scots who remained loyal to England re-settled in Canada as United Empire Loyalists. Scots across North America were able to recover much of their lost heritage in the 20th century as Clan societies and highland games sprang up across North America. Early immigration and passenger lists have documented some of the first Michanss to arrive on North American shores: Alexander, Archibald, Daniel, James, John, Stewart, Thomas, Walter and William McMichael all arrived in Philadelphia between 1840 and 1860.
- Sims, Clifford Stanley The Origin and Signification of Scottish Surnames. 1862. Print.
- 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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