NameCensus.

UK surname

Macmichael

A Scottish surname meaning "son of Michael".

In the 1881 census there were 22 people recorded with the Macmichael surname, ranking it #30,464 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 100, ranked #31,123, down from #30,464 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include The Grange, Dunfermline Touch and Woodmill and Peebles North.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Macmichael is 108 in 2005. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 354.5%.

1881 census count

22

Ranked #30,464

Modern count

100

2016, ranked #31,123

Peak year

2005

108 bearers

Map years

2

2006 to 2016

Key insights

  • Macmichael had 22 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #30,464 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 100 in 2016, ranked #31,123.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 30 in 1901.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Legacy and Demographically Mixed Communities.

Macmichael surname distribution map

The map shows where the Macmichael surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.

Distribution map

Macmichael surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

Back to top

Macmichael over time

The table below tracks recorded surname counts and rank from the 19th-century census years through the modern adult-register period.

Year Period Count Rank
1851 historical 14 #30,790
1861 historical 27 #30,543
1881 historical 22 #30,464
1891 historical 29 #31,963
1901 historical 30 #30,724
1911 historical 22 #31,030
1997 modern 91 #28,215
1998 modern 91 #28,806
1999 modern 87 #29,398
2000 modern 99 #27,845
2001 modern 96 #27,976
2002 modern 104 #27,303
2003 modern 100 #27,722
2004 modern 104 #27,338
2005 modern 108 #26,736
2006 modern 103 #27,785
2007 modern 103 #28,187
2008 modern 93 #30,123
2009 modern 100 #29,597
2010 modern 102 #29,930
2011 modern 104 #29,424
2012 modern 99 #30,442
2013 modern 99 #30,934
2014 modern 100 #31,033
2015 modern 96 #31,624
2016 modern 100 #31,123

Geography

Back to top

Where Macmichaels are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around No data. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to The Grange, Dunfermline Touch and Woodmill, Peebles North, Tweeddale East Area and Liverpool. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.

Some modern areas include a three-digit suffix, such as Leeds 110. The suffix is a small-area code, so it stays in the table while the prose uses the plain place name.

Top historical parishes

Rank Parish Area
1 No data No data

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 The Grange City of Edinburgh
2 Dunfermline Touch and Woodmill Fife
3 Peebles North Scottish Borders
4 Tweeddale East Area Scottish Borders
5 Liverpool 045 Liverpool

Forenames

Back to top

First names often paired with Macmichael

These lists show first names that appear often with the Macmichael surname in historical and recent records.

Historical female names

No Forenames Found

Historical male names

No Forenames Found

Modern profile

Back to top

Neighbourhood profile for Macmichael

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Macmichael, this points to the kinds of places where the surname is most concentrated today.

These neighbourhood labels describe areas, not individual people. They are useful because surnames often cluster through family history, migration, housing patterns and local work. A surname can be strongest in one type of neighbourhood even when people with that name live across the country.

The UK classification gives the national picture. The London classification is more specific to the capital, where housing, age profile, tenure and population mix can look quite different from the rest of the UK.

UK neighbourhood type

UK Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Legacy Communities

Group

Legacy and Demographically Mixed Communities

Nationally, the Macmichael surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Legacy and Demographically Mixed Communities, within Legacy Communities. This does not mean every Macmichael household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Households in these areas often include divorced or separated parents and commonly include children and young adults. The age structure is heavily skewed towards the most advanced age groups. Individuals identifying as members of ethnic minorities are not present in large numbers. Flats predominate, with some terraced, semi-detached, and detached units. Multiple car ownership is low, and housing is predominantly in the private and social rented sectors. Employment is less skewed towards traditional routine industrial occupations. Levels of educational attainment are generally low. The Group occurs principally in the Central Lowlands of Scotland and other Scottish towns.

Wider pattern

These neighbourhoods characteristically comprise pockets of flats that are scattered across the UK, particularly in towns that retain or have legacies of heavy industry or are in more remote seaside locations. Employed residents of these neighbourhoods work mainly in low-skilled occupations. Residents typically have limited educational qualifications. Unemployment is above average. Some residents live in overcrowded housing within the social rented sector and experience long-term disability. All adult age groups are represented, although there is an overall age bias towards elderly people in general and the very old in particular. Individuals identifying as belonging to ethnic minorities or Mixed or Multiple ethnic groups are uncommon.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Central Connected Professionals and Managers

Group

Senior Professionals

Within London, Macmichael is most associated with areas classed as Senior Professionals, part of Central Connected Professionals and Managers. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.

Read profile summary

Group profile

These very central neighbourhoods house residents whose ages are more skewed towards older age cohorts than elsewhere in the Supergroup. Few households have young children. Rates of illness are low. Indian ethnicity is rare compared to the Supergroup mean. Property under occupation is more common, despite the centrality of neighbourhoods, and more residents live in communal establishments than elsewhere in the Supergroup.

Wider London pattern

Adult residents of these neighbourhoods are typically aged 25 to 44, working full-time in professional, managerial or associate professional occupations. There are few families with dependent children. The predominantly Inner London neighbourhoods have an international character, including many residents born elsewhere in Europe alongside high numbers of individuals identifying as of Chinese ethnicity. Many individuals are never married, childless and/or living alone. Above average numbers of individuals, likely to be full-time students, live in communal establishments. Elsewhere, privately rented flats are the dominant housing type. Residents of these areas are well-qualified, with a significant number holding Level 4 or above qualifications. There is a correspondingly high level of individuals employed full-time in professional, managerial and associated professional or technical occupations. Employing industries are financial, real estate, professional, administration, and, to a lesser degree, transport and communications. Unemployment is uncommon.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Macmichael is most concentrated in decile 1 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the less healthy end of the index.

Lower deciles point towards weaker access to healthy assets or stronger exposure to local hazards. Higher deciles point towards stronger access and fewer hazards.

1
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Macmichael falls in decile 10 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the less deprived end of the index.

Decile 1 represents the more deprived end of the scale. Decile 10 represents the less deprived end.

10
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Macmichael is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 30-40 mbit/s.

The scale below places that band in context, from slower local download bands through to faster ones.

6
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

This describes the area pattern most associated with Macmichael, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Macmichael

The surname MACMICHAEL has its origins in Scotland, specifically the Highlands and Western Isles, and dates back to the 12th century. It is derived from the Gaelic personal name "Mìcheal," meaning "one who is like God," which is a variant of the name Michael.

The name is believed to have originated as a patronymic, indicating "son of Michael." The prefix "Mac" is the Gaelic equivalent of the English "son of," so MACMICHAEL essentially means "son of Michael." The earliest recorded instances of the surname can be found in various Scottish records and manuscripts dating back to the 13th and 14th centuries.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name is in the Exchequer Rolls of Scotland, which mention a "Johannes MacMychel" in 1328. The Ragman Rolls of 1296 also include the name "Gillemychel MacMychel," indicating the presence of the surname in that era.

The MACMICHAEL clan was particularly prominent in the Western Isles of Scotland, where they held lands and played a significant role in local affairs. One notable member of the clan was Duncan MACMICHAEL, who served as the Bishop of Raphoe in Ireland in the late 16th century.

In the 17th century, a branch of the MACMICHAEL family settled in Ayrshire, where they became landowners and played a role in local politics. One prominent member of this branch was John MACMICHAEL (1720-1796), who served as a member of Parliament for Ayrshire.

Another notable figure was William MACMICHAEL (1784-1839), a Scottish poet and journalist who was born in Dumfriesshire. His works include "The Seasons" and "The Whisperer," and he was known for his contributions to the literary scene of his time.

During the 18th and 19th centuries, many MACMICHAELS emigrated from Scotland to various parts of the British Empire, including Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. One such individual was John MACMICHAEL (1806-1879), who was born in Scotland but later settled in Victoria, Australia, where he became a prominent pastoralist and landowner.

Overall, the surname MACMICHAEL has a rich history rooted in the Scottish Highlands and Western Isles, with numerous notable bearers throughout the centuries. Its origins can be traced back to the 12th century and the Gaelic personal name "Mìcheal," reflecting the name's deep ties to Scottish culture and tradition.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

Back to top

Macmichael families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Macmichael surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.

Top counties

Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Middlesex leads with 9 Macmichaels recorded in 1881 and an index of 5.13x.

County Total Index
Middlesex 9 5.13x
Dunbartonshire 3 63.56x
Midlothian 3 12.76x
Argyllshire 1 20.45x
Derbyshire 1 3.64x
Gloucestershire 1 2.90x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Chelsea London in Middlesex leads with 9 Macmichaels recorded in 1881 and an index of 170.13x.

Place Total Index
Chelsea London 9 170.13x
Row 3 491.80x
Edinburgh St Marys 2 434.78x
Bakewell 1 666.67x
Clifton 1 57.47x
Edinburgh St Cuthberts 1 10.57x
Southend 1 1666.67x

Top female names

These are the female first names most often recorded with the Macmichael surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.

Name Count
Louisa 2
Alice 1
Annie 1
Charlotte 1
Georgianna 1
Harriet 1

Top male names

These are the male first names most often recorded with the Macmichael surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.

Name Count
James 2
Arthur 1
Charles 1

Top occupations

Occupational titles are kept as recorded and later transcribed, so related jobs, spelling variants and mistakes stay separate. Scholar was the census term for a child in education. That means the other rows often tell you more about adult work in Macmichael households.

FAQ

Macmichael surname: questions and answers

How common was the Macmichael surname in 1881?

In 1881, 22 people were recorded with the Macmichael surname. That placed it at #30,464 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Macmichael surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 100 in 2016. That gives Macmichael a modern rank of #31,123.

What does the Macmichael surname mean?

A Scottish surname meaning "son of Michael".

What does the Macmichael map show?

The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Macmichael bearers relative to the surrounding population.

What records is this surname page based on?

The historical counts come from census surname records. The modern counts and neighbourhood summaries come from later surname distribution records. Counts are recorded bearers in those records, not a live estimate of everyone with the name today.