UK surname
An Italian surname derived from the given name Michael, meaning "who is like God?"
In the 1881 census there were 24 people recorded with the Michele surname, ranking it #30,215 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 28, ranked #36,125, down from #30,215 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Redruth, Illogan and Feock. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Michele is 188 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 16.7%.
1881 census count
24
Ranked #30,215
Modern count
28
2016, ranked #36,125
Peak year
1861
188 bearers
Map years
1
1861 to 1861
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Michele surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Michele 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 | 79 | #19,712 |
| 1861 | historical | 188 | #12,628 |
| 1881 | historical | 24 | #30,215 |
| 1891 | historical | 30 | #31,889 |
| 1901 | historical | 23 | #31,466 |
| 1911 | historical | 8 | #32,903 |
| 1997 | modern | 15 | #36,409 |
| 1998 | modern | 15 | #36,457 |
| 1999 | modern | 14 | #36,595 |
| 2000 | modern | 15 | #36,425 |
| 2001 | modern | 14 | #36,372 |
| 2002 | modern | 19 | #35,991 |
| 2003 | modern | 24 | #35,552 |
| 2004 | modern | 23 | #35,786 |
| 2005 | modern | 21 | #36,083 |
| 2006 | modern | 28 | #35,665 |
| 2007 | modern | 25 | #36,006 |
| 2008 | modern | 22 | #36,281 |
| 2009 | modern | 27 | #36,045 |
| 2010 | modern | 32 | #35,848 |
| 2011 | modern | 32 | #35,831 |
| 2012 | modern | 23 | #36,366 |
| 2013 | modern | 20 | #36,614 |
| 2014 | modern | 24 | #36,358 |
| 2015 | modern | 24 | #36,364 |
| 2016 | modern | 28 | #36,125 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Redruth, Illogan, Feock, Barton Stacey and St Dunstan Stepney. 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 | Redruth | Cornwall |
| 2 | Illogan | Cornwall |
| 3 | Feock | Cornwall |
| 4 | Barton Stacey | Hampshire |
| 5 | St Dunstan Stepney | London (East Districts) |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Michele 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 Michele, 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 Michele surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Michele 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, Michele 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 Michele is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Michele, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Michele has its roots in Italy and is derived from the Italian personal name Michele, which is the Italian form of the Hebrew name Michael, meaning "who is like God?" The name gained popularity in the Christian era due to its association with the Archangel Michael, one of the principal angelic warriors revered in Christianity.
The earliest recorded instances of the surname Michele can be traced back to the 12th century in various regions of Italy, particularly in the central and southern parts of the country. The name appeared in historical documents such as the Codice Diplomatico della Lombardia and the Pergamene Italiane, which recorded legal transactions and property deeds.
In the 13th century, the surname Michele was present in the Republic of Venice, where a branch of the family held influential positions in the maritime trade and commerce. One notable figure from this period was Giacomo Michele, a Venetian merchant who established trade routes with the Byzantine Empire and the Levant region.
During the Renaissance, the Michele family gained prominence in Florence, where they were involved in the arts and literature. Michelangelo Michele (1475-1559), a renowned painter and sculptor, was born into this family and is considered one of the most influential artists of the Italian Renaissance.
The surname Michele also has a strong presence in the southern regions of Italy, particularly in the Kingdom of Naples and Sicily. In the 16th century, records show the existence of the Michele family in the city of Salerno, where they were involved in the production of silk and textiles.
Another notable figure bearing the surname Michele was Giovanni Michele (1673-1737), a Neapolitan composer and violinist who contributed significantly to the development of the Neapolitan school of opera during the Baroque period.
As the Michele family spread throughout Italy, variations in spelling emerged, such as Micheli, Michieli, and Micheletti, reflecting regional dialects and linguistic influences. Additionally, some branches of the family adopted place names as part of their surname, such as Michele di Firenze (Michele of Florence) or Michele di Napoli (Michele of Naples).
In the 19th century, the surname Michele gained international recognition with the birth of Tommaso Michele (1808-1879), an Italian patriot and politician who played a crucial role in the Risorgimento, the movement for Italian unification and independence.
Overall, the surname Michele has a rich historical legacy in Italy, spanning centuries and encompassing various regions, professions, and cultural contributions. Its enduring presence reflects the deep-rooted traditions and diverse narratives that have shaped the Italian identity over time.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Michele 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. Middlesex leads with 10 Micheles recorded in 1881 and an index of 4.27x.
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Barton Stacey in Hampshire leads with 9 Micheles recorded in 1881 and an index of 22500.00x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Barton Stacey | 9 | 22500.00x |
| Mile End Old Town | 8 | 216.80x |
| Charterhouse London | 1 | 909.09x |
| Dover St Mary Virgin | 1 | 129.87x |
| Leith North | 1 | 1666.67x |
| Leith South | 1 | 2500.00x |
| Lyncombe Widcombe | 1 | 101.01x |
| Sculcoates | 1 | 27.17x |
| St George Hanover | 1 | 32.79x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Michele 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 Michele 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 Michele households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| Scholar | 6 |
| Ag Labourer | 2 |
| Asphalter | 1 |
| Boot Maker | 1 |
| Factory | 1 |
| Gentleman | 1 |
| Laundress | 1 |
| Rents Interest On Annuitis | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 24 people were recorded with the Michele surname. That placed it at #30,215 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 28 in 2016. That gives Michele a modern rank of #36,125.
An Italian surname derived from the given name Michael, meaning "who is like God?"
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Michele 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.