MacMichael Family Name and Heraldry

MacMichael and Carmichael are two spellings with one history. Surname dictionaries give the meaning as “fort of Saint Michael”.

MacMichael coat of arms

Heraldry is personal: arms associated with the Carmichael surname were borne by specific families, and sharing the name does not mean sharing the blazon.

How the spelling arose

Records show MacMichael as one of the forms Carmichael took over time. Local scribes, dialects and emigration all left their mark on how the name was written. Related forms: Carmicheal.

MacMichael ranked 73,215 in the 2010 US Census, with 265 people answering to the name. Get the complete MacMichael report, with a museum-style coat of arms.