Surname Micklethwait - Meaning and Origin

Micklethwait: What does the surname Micklethwait mean?

The last name Micklethwait is thought to be of English origin, and is believed to be a habitational name, referring to a place or settlement of some kind. It is thought that the name is derived from the Middle English words "mikel", meaning "small" and "thwait", which is a derivative of "thwaite"; a clearing or open space in a wood. Therefore, the name means literally "small clearing" or "little open space".

The earliest record of a person with the surname Micklethwait was in the Pipe Rolls of Warwickshire in 1206; Willelmus de Mykelthwit, and records of people with the name can be found in other English counties throughout the 13th and 14th centuries. It seems that the name was most common in the far north of England, very near the Scottish border, where it is still found today.

The Micklethwait surname is also found in places around the world; in the United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand, primarily with descendants of migrants from England who adopted the name in their new countries.

The Micklethwait surname is likely to have had a long and varied history, with people bearing the name having come from many different parts of the world. Its literal meaning is "small clearing" or "little open space", suggesting people of a humble beginning, who have gone on to make a mark in their own way on the world.

Micklethwait: Where does the name Micklethwait come from?

The last name Micklethwait is primarily associated with England and the United States.

In the United States, Micklethwait is an uncommon name primarily found in the Midwest. Ohio is the epicenter of the U.S. Micklethwait population, with records showing the earliest family concentrated in Madison and Franklin counties, as well as in many of the surrounding counties.

In England, Micklethwait is significantly more common, ranking within the top 2000 surnames. Micklethwait has strongholds in the West Midlands and East Anglia regions, as well as primarily in Lancashire and Yorkshire. This implies that Micklethwait may have originated in North West England and then spread out. In Lancashire and Yorkshire, Micklethwait is among the 1000th most common surname. The highest concentration of Micklethwait is in the town of Alston, Cumbria – where it is within the top 100 surnames.

Data from across Britain suggests that Micklethwait is not common in Wales or Scotland, however, some studies have found evidence of the surname in Wales, suggesting there is still a small presence there.

Overall, Micklethwait is a common surname in England, but much more rare in elsewhere in the world.

Variations of the surname Micklethwait

Micklethwait is a surname of possibly English origin. Common variants and spellings of the surname include Mickletwait, Mikletwait, Mitchlethwaite, Mickletwaite, Mickletwhaite and Micklethwaite.

In some cases, related names may also be a variant spelling of Micklethwait, including Methethwaite, Methethwait, Meiksletwait, Methellwait, Methletwaite, Methwait, Mackelwait, Malkwait, Malkthevtiter, Meithothwait, Metheletwaite and Methellwait.

The surname itself, Micklethwait, could have several potential meanings. It is believed to be an English topographical surname derived from a place called Micklethwaite in the Settle area of West Riding in Yorkshire. This places' name would have been derived from the Old Norse words mikill meaning "great" and thveit meaning a "small clearing". Alternatively, the name might be of occupational origin deriving from the Middle English word mickle meaning “large” and thwait meaning “servant”.

Other surnames related to the Micklethwait family line include Mecklethwaite, Meckelthaite, Mikelwaite, Meckelthaite, and Meekslethwaite, as well as many more. These surnames all often trace their origins back to the same founding Micklethwait surname.

Famous people with the name Micklethwait

• Adam Micklethwait: Actor and member of the folk-rock band The Men They Couldn't Hang.
• Anastasia Micklethwait: Musical Theatre actress, singer and dancer.
• John Micklethwait: Editor in Chief of Bloomberg News.
• Philip Micklethwait: Canadian film producer.
• Susan Micklethwait: Visiting Professor of Gender Studies at Stanford University.
• Emma Micklethwait: Actress, best known for her roles in the television series Skins and Representative Charlie Conway.
• Rhys Micklethwait: TV director, director of episodes of Coronation Street, Eastenders and Emmerdale.
• Patsy Micklethwait: Founder and President of Wild Care Inc., a conservation and animal rescue organization.
• Meg Micklethwait: Lead singer of the American alternative rock band The Ditty Bops.
• Mark Micklethwait: Actor and filmmaker, best known as the director of the short film 999.0.

Other surnames

Micklethwaite