UK surname
A patronymic surname derived from the given name Michael, meaning "Who is like God?".
In the 1881 census there were 41 people recorded with the Michels surname, ranking it #27,870 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 84, ranked #32,726, down from #27,870 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to St George in the East, Christ Church Spitalfields and St Leonard Shoreditch. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Michels is 156 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 104.9%.
1881 census count
41
Ranked #27,870
Modern count
84
2016, ranked #32,726
Peak year
1861
156 bearers
Map years
1
1861 to 1861
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Michels surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Michels 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 | 19 | #29,904 |
| 1861 | historical | 156 | #14,813 |
| 1881 | historical | 41 | #27,870 |
| 1891 | historical | 71 | #27,934 |
| 1901 | historical | 64 | #27,010 |
| 1911 | historical | 57 | #27,099 |
| 1997 | modern | 64 | #31,233 |
| 1998 | modern | 79 | #30,080 |
| 1999 | modern | 78 | #30,327 |
| 2000 | modern | 79 | #30,249 |
| 2001 | modern | 75 | #30,481 |
| 2002 | modern | 79 | #30,499 |
| 2003 | modern | 77 | #30,762 |
| 2004 | modern | 76 | #31,125 |
| 2005 | modern | 80 | #30,842 |
| 2006 | modern | 76 | #31,633 |
| 2007 | modern | 79 | #31,628 |
| 2008 | modern | 79 | #31,957 |
| 2009 | modern | 71 | #33,102 |
| 2010 | modern | 72 | #33,324 |
| 2011 | modern | 69 | #33,532 |
| 2012 | modern | 73 | #33,431 |
| 2013 | modern | 80 | #33,058 |
| 2014 | modern | 79 | #33,205 |
| 2015 | modern | 83 | #32,847 |
| 2016 | modern | 84 | #32,726 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around St George in the East, Christ Church Spitalfields, St Leonard Shoreditch, London parishes and St Leonard Bromley. 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 | St George in the East | London (East Districts) |
| 2 | Christ Church Spitalfields | London (East Districts) |
| 3 | St Leonard Shoreditch | London (East Districts) |
| 4 | London parishes | London 3 |
| 5 | St Leonard Bromley | London (East Districts) |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Michels 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 Michels, 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 Michels surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Michels 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, Michels 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 Michels is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Michels, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Michels is of Germanic origin, derived from the personal name Michael, which is ultimately derived from the Hebrew name Mikhael, meaning "who is like God?" The name first appeared in various parts of Germany and the Netherlands during the Middle Ages.
The earliest recorded instances of the name Michels can be traced back to the 13th century, with references found in various medieval records and manuscripts. One notable example is the mention of a Henricus Michels in the Annals of the Cistercian Abbey of Eberbach in Rheingau, Germany, dated around 1270.
In the 14th century, the name appeared in various spellings such as Michels, Michelsen, and Michaelsen, reflecting regional variations in pronunciation and spelling. During this period, the name was also associated with certain place names, such as Michelbach and Michelsbach, which likely influenced the surname's development.
One of the earliest recorded individuals bearing the name Michels was Johann Michels, a German scholar and reformer who lived from 1510 to 1559. He was a prominent figure during the Protestant Reformation and is known for his work in translating and publishing various theological texts.
Another notable figure with the surname Michels was Willem Michels (1542-1619), a Dutch painter and engraver who was active in Antwerp during the Renaissance. His works, which included religious and mythological scenes, were widely celebrated throughout the Low Countries.
In the 17th century, the name Michels gained prominence in Germany, with several individuals bearing the surname achieving notable accomplishments. One such individual was Johann Michels (1624-1668), a German composer and organist who served at various churches in Hamburg and Lübeck.
The 18th century saw the emergence of another notable figure with the surname Michels, Johann David Michels (1738-1804), a German theologian and philosopher who was a prominent figure in the Enlightenment movement. His writings on ethics, education, and theology were widely influential during his lifetime.
In the 19th century, the name Michels continued to be prominent in various fields. One notable example is the German novelist and playwright Eduard Michels (1813-1892), whose works explored themes of social and political commentary during the turbulent period of German unification.
Throughout history, the surname Michels has been associated with individuals from diverse backgrounds and professions, reflecting the widespread distribution of the name across various regions of Europe. While the examples provided are not exhaustive, they highlight the rich history and legacy of this Germanic surname.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Michels 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 23 Michels' recorded in 1881 and an index of 5.75x.
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Spitalfields London in Middlesex leads with 16 Michels' recorded in 1881 and an index of 531.56x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Spitalfields London | 16 | 531.56x |
| Camberwell | 9 | 35.23x |
| Lewisham | 6 | 82.42x |
| Bromley London | 4 | 45.45x |
| Mile End New Town | 2 | 363.64x |
| Southampton St Mary | 1 | 19.42x |
| St George In East | 1 | 36.76x |
| Stoke | 1 | 108.70x |
| Walmer | 1 | 169.49x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Michels 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 Michels 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 Michels households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| Scholar | 7 |
| Independent | 2 |
| Tailor | 2 |
| (Revd.) Walmerchurch | 1 |
| Boiler Maker | 1 |
| Boot Maker | 1 |
| Cigar Maker | 1 |
| Clerk Coal Trade | 1 |
| Commercial Traveller Coal Trade | 1 |
| Cook (N D) | 1 |
| Cook Dom | 1 |
| Managers (Clerk) | 1 |
| Packer | 1 |
| Servant | 1 |
| Shipping Clerk | 1 |
| Tailoress | 1 |
| Teacher | 1 |
| Waiter | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 41 people were recorded with the Michels surname. That placed it at #27,870 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 84 in 2016. That gives Michels a modern rank of #32,726.
A patronymic 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 Michels 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.