UK surname
A surname derived from the Hebrew given name Michal, meaning "who is like God?"
In the 1881 census there were 31 people recorded with the Michal surname, ranking it #29,218 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 81, ranked #32,971, down from #29,218 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Over, St Bees and Kirkwall and St.Ola. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Michal is 151 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 161.3%.
1881 census count
31
Ranked #29,218
Modern count
81
2016, ranked #32,971
Peak year
1861
151 bearers
Map years
2
1851 to 1861
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Michal surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Michal surname density by area, 1861 census.
Timeline
Back to topThe 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 | 103 | #16,835 |
| 1861 | historical | 151 | #15,209 |
| 1881 | historical | 31 | #29,218 |
| 1891 | historical | 39 | #31,257 |
| 1901 | historical | 15 | #32,383 |
| 1911 | historical | 9 | #32,754 |
| 1997 | modern | 1 | #38,839 |
| 1998 | modern | 2 | #38,550 |
| 1999 | modern | 2 | #38,551 |
| 2000 | modern | 4 | #38,004 |
| 2001 | modern | 4 | #37,862 |
| 2002 | modern | 5 | #37,723 |
| 2003 | modern | 5 | #37,750 |
| 2004 | modern | 13 | #36,742 |
| 2005 | modern | 28 | #35,510 |
| 2006 | modern | 44 | #34,568 |
| 2007 | modern | 68 | #32,760 |
| 2008 | modern | 80 | #31,833 |
| 2009 | modern | 85 | #31,717 |
| 2010 | modern | 77 | #32,927 |
| 2011 | modern | 81 | #32,558 |
| 2012 | modern | 87 | #32,180 |
| 2013 | modern | 83 | #32,813 |
| 2014 | modern | 81 | #33,061 |
| 2015 | modern | 80 | #33,052 |
| 2016 | modern | 81 | #32,971 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Over, St Bees, Kirkwall and St.Ola, Applecross and Marston Maisey. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.
The modern local-area list points to No data. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.
| Rank | Parish | Area |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Over | Cheshire |
| 2 | St Bees | Cumberland |
| 3 | Kirkwall and St.Ola | Orkney |
| 4 | Applecross | Ross And Cromarty |
| 5 | Marston Maisey | Gloucestershire |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Michal surname in historical and recent records.
Recent female names
Recent male names
Modern profile
Back to topModern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Michal, 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
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Nationally, the Michal surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Michal household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.
London neighbourhood type
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Within London, Michal is most associated with areas classed as No data, part of No data. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.
Broadband speed
The modern neighbourhood pattern for Michal is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Michal, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Michal is of Czech origin, derived from the Czech given name Michal, which is a cognate of the biblical name Michael. The name Michael is derived from the Hebrew phrase "mi ka'el," meaning "who is like God." The surname Michal emerged in the late 12th century in the region of Bohemia, which is now a part of the Czech Republic.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname Michal can be found in the Liber Viridis, a 14th-century land registry from the town of Chrudim in Bohemia. The document mentions a landowner named Michal of Hrochov, suggesting that the name was already well-established in the region by that time.
During the Middle Ages, the surname Michal was particularly prevalent in the areas around Prague, the capital of Bohemia. It was often associated with families involved in agriculture or trade, reflecting the economic landscape of the region at the time.
In the 16th century, the name Michal gained prominence with the birth of Michal of Archangelsk (1508-1572), a notable Russian icon painter and fresco artist. His works can still be found in churches and monasteries throughout Russia, showcasing the artistic talent associated with this surname.
Another notable bearer of the surname Michal was Jan Michal (1572-1644), a Polish-Lithuanian military leader and nobleman. He played a significant role in the Polish-Muscovite War of 1609-1618 and was renowned for his strategic abilities on the battlefield.
In the 19th century, the name Michal was further brought to prominence by the Czech composer Bedřich Smetana (1824-1884), whose opera "The Bartered Bride" is considered a masterpiece of Czech national music. Smetana's mother's maiden name was Michal, highlighting the enduring presence of this surname in Czech culture.
The surname Michal has also been associated with various place names throughout Central Europe, such as the village of Michalovo in Slovakia and the town of Michalovice in the Czech Republic, both of which likely derived their names from early settlers bearing the Michal surname.
Throughout history, the surname Michal has been carried by individuals from diverse backgrounds, including artists, military leaders, noblemen, and composers, reflecting the rich cultural heritage and historical significance of this surname.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Michal surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.
Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Cheshire leads with 14 Michals recorded in 1881 and an index of 20.97x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Cheshire | 14 | 20.97x |
| Lancashire | 6 | 1.67x |
| Cornwall | 4 | 11.69x |
| Lanarkshire | 3 | 3.07x |
| Middlesex | 2 | 0.66x |
| Glamorgan | 1 | 1.90x |
| Lincolnshire | 1 | 2.07x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Over in Cheshire leads with 13 Michals recorded in 1881 and an index of 1911.76x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Over | 13 | 1911.76x |
| Garston | 5 | 471.70x |
| Breage | 3 | 967.74x |
| Glasgow | 2 | 11.52x |
| Birkenhead | 1 | 18.80x |
| Everton | 1 | 8.74x |
| Goltho | 1 | 10000.00x |
| Old Monkland | 1 | 25.77x |
| Perranarworthal | 1 | 909.09x |
| Spitalfields London | 1 | 44.05x |
| Stoke Newington London | 1 | 42.37x |
| Ystradyfodwg | 1 | 21.65x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Michal surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
These are the male first names most often recorded with the Michal surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
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 Michal households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| Salt Boiler | 5 |
| Fireman | 3 |
| Labourer | 3 |
| Salt Labourer | 2 |
| Tin Miner | 2 |
| Charwoman | 1 |
| Coal Miner | 1 |
| Domestic Serv | 1 |
| Fur Cap Sewer | 1 |
| General Serv | 1 |
| Housekeeper Domestic Serv | 1 |
| Housemaid Servant | 1 |
| None | 1 |
| Scholar | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 31 people were recorded with the Michal surname. That placed it at #29,218 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 81 in 2016. That gives Michal a modern rank of #32,971.
A surname derived from the Hebrew given name Michal, meaning "who is like God?"
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Michal bearers relative to the surrounding population.
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.