Surname Carmichael - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'C'
Tracing Roots: An Intriguing Journey of Carmichael Lineage through iGENEA DNA Test
Embarking on the journey to discover my roots through the iGENEA DNA test has opened an immersive window of knowledge into my surname – Carmichael. Unveiling historic tales of bravery, revelation of influential ancestors, and tracing the global dispersion of my lineage, the test was an educational revelation about crucial aspects of my heritage.
N. Carmichael
read moreCarmichael: What does the surname Carmichael mean?
The surname Carmichael is of Scottish origin and is derived from a place name. It comes from a location in Lanarkshire, Scotland, named after Saint Michael. The name is composed of two parts: "caer" meaning fort and "Michael" for Saint Michael, therefore, it literally means "fort of Michael". Historical documents reveal that the Carmichaels were a powerful family during the Middle Ages, with a clan chief who was often involved in Scotland's political affairs. The family's motto, "Tout Jour Prest" translates to "Always Ready" reflecting their readiness to serve and protect their land. Over time, the surname became widespread and can now be found across the globe, especially in English-speaking countries.
Order DNA origin analysisCarmichael: Where does the name Carmichael come from?
The surname Carmichael is of Scottish origin, derived from a place in Lanarkshire, Scotland called Carmichael. The name is thought to mean "Michael's Fort" in Scottish Gaelic and comes from combining "caer" meaning fort and "Michael", a personal name of biblical origin.
Carmichael first began being used as a last name in the 12th century. The first recorded spelling belongs to Robert de Carmichael in the year 1220 in the "Registrum Monasterii de Cambuskenneth". A man named Sir John de Carmichael was a trusted advisor to Robert the Bruce, a famous Scottish king.
Today, the surname Carmichael remains common in Scotland. But descendants of Scottish emigrants have also spread the name to other parts of the world particularly in English-speaking countries. In the United States, Canada, and Australia, there are considerable numbers of individuals and families with this surname. The popularity of the surname in these countries is largely due to the waves of Scottish immigrants from the 17th to 19th centuries. There's even a city named Carmichael in the United States, located in California.
Variations of the surname Carmichael
The surname Carmichael originates from Scotland and is derived from the place name Carmichael, located between Biggar and Lanark in the former county of Lanarkshire. Over time, the surname Carmichael has been spelled in different ways, reflecting the phonetic interpretations of a largely illiterate society.
Variations of the surname Carmichael include Carmichale, Carmichall, Carmickle, Carmichell, Carmichl, Carmichell, Carmichel, Carmichale, Carmack, Karmichael, Karmichel, Carmichiel, Carmack, Carmichiel, Carmychael, Carmichail, and Carmichaell among many others. These variations often occurred even within a single document.
Different branches of the Carmichael family might have opted for different spellings of the surname, leading to a wide range of surname variants. Often such variations were influenced by linguistic changes and dialects. Also, when families emigrated to new countries, spellings would often be changed to fit the pronunciation rules of the new language, which possibly led to even more versions.
Use caution when exploring these variants as in some cases, surnames that appear similar may not necessarily share the same origin. Always cross-reference with additional resources when tracing genealogical ties.
Famous people with the name Carmichael
- Hoagy Carmichael: A well-known American composer, pianist, singer, and actor.
- Laura Carmichael: An English actress, best known for her role as Lady Edith Crawley in the TV series "Downton Abbey".
- Stokely Carmichael: A Trinidadian-American prominent civil rights activist, known for his work as leader of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) and the Black Panther Party.
- Ricky Carmichael: A famous professional motocross racer from the United States.
- Ian Carmichael: A celebrated British actor, renowned for his roles in comedy films during the 1950s.
- Taurean Green: Born as Taurean Lynell Carmichael, he is a professional basketball player, who has played for teams in several countries, and also in the National Basketball Association (NBA).
- Jesse Carmichael: An American musician, best known as the keyboardist, rhythm guitarist, and backing vocalist of the pop rock band Maroon 5.
- Morley Carmichael: A former politician from Canada.
- Amy Carmichael: An Irish Christian missionary in India, who opened an orphanage and founded a mission in Dohnavur.
- Brett Carmichael: An Australian rugby league footballer who played professionally in the 1990s and 2000s.