Surname McMichens - Meaning and Origin

McMichens: What does the surname McMichens mean?

McMichens is a Scottish surname of ancient origins. It is believed to have been taken from the Gaelic 'Mac Michain', which translates to 'son of Mack'. The surname is believed to have originated in the country of Scotland, with the earliest documented form of the name found in records of the Glasgow Cathedral as 'McMichen' in 1443.

It is likely that the McMichens were of Scottish Clan MacKinnon, and very likely that the McMichens are descended from the Clan's chief, Ranald MacKinnon, who was born on the Isle of Skye in around the year 1200.

The main early records of the McMichens family are found in Glasgow and the Scottish Highlands; however, it is widely believed that the McMichens actually lived in the northwest Highlands of Scotland in the 15th century before migrating down into the Lowlands.

McMichens is a sept of the Highland Clan MacKinnon, and is known for the many branches of the family established in the Lowland regions of Scotland. Today, most descendants of the name can be found in the Southern United States, Northern Ireland, and Australia. The McMichens family is notable for its contribution to history and its tenacious devotion to its Scottish homeland, even from afar.

McMichens: Where does the name McMichens come from?

The last name McMichens is of Scottish origin, derived from the Gaelic name MacMiadhachain, meaning 'son of Miadhachan', a diminutive form of the personal name Miadhach, which means 'honorable'. Many Gaelic names were anglicized during the 17th-19th centuries, often shedding some of their unique characteristics, and MacMiadhachain could have become McMichens through this process.

However, it's worth noting that McMichens is quite rare, not only in Scotland, but globally. According to various surname distribution databases, there are not many people currently carrying this last name, making it difficult to determine its contemporary prevalence. It most likely exists in countries that have seen significant Scottish diaspora, like the United States, Canada, and Australia, albeit sparsely. The name’s distribution in these countries can often be attributed to Scottish emigration patterns during the 19th and early 20th centuries.

Variations of the surname McMichens

The surname McMichens may have originated from Scotland or Ireland, thus many alternative forms, spellings and surnames with a similar origin can be expected. Some variants may include McMicken, McMickens, Mickens, Mackins, McMichan, McMichen, McMichen, McMicking, and McMichan.

Additionally, as with many Celtic names, the prefix "Mc" meaning "son of" can also be interchangeable with "Mac", hence leading to other likely variations including MacMicken, MacMickens, and MacMichens.

Additionally, as names often change in spelling over generations and with migration, it is possible that this surname could experienced sound-alike modifications or simplifications such as McMickin, McMiken, or McMacks.

It's important to note that name origin and spelling can vary greatly due to factors such as regional dialects, anglicization, and individual family preferences. Therefore, while these are potential variants and spellings of the same origin for the surname McMichens, it is best to trace individual genealogical records for the most accurate information.

Famous people with the name McMichens

• Jack McMichen (country and blues musician)
• Ray McMichen (American football player)
• Jack M. McMichen (Alabama state legislator)
• William Earnest McMichen (US Army World War II major general)
• Emily McMichen (entrepreneur)
• Robert Logan McMichen (Alabama State Representative)
• Amanda McMichen (catch wrestler)
• Claire McMichen (television presenter)
• Kaye F. McMichen (American basketball player)
• Taylor McMichen (professional golfer)
• Mitchell McMichen (American astrophysicist)
• Dwon McMichen (former college football player)
• David McMichen (former CEO of the City of Sydney)
• Betsy McMichen (artist and teacher)
• David McMichen, Jr. (American politician)
• Craig McMichen (lukewarm industrial physicist)
• Jane McMichen (poet and advocate-scholar)
• Christopher McMichen (Christian musician and songwriter)

Other surnames

McMichen