This page needs Javascript enabled in order to work properly. Click here for instructions on how to enable it in your browser.
Surname Header Image
Get access to Michaels family records.Start a 14-Day Free Trial

Michaels Family History

Michaels Surname Meaning

English German and Jewish: variant of Michael with patronymic genitival or post-medieval excrescent -s. In North America the surname Michaels has absorbed patronymics and many other derivatives of this name in other languages.

For example, Polish Michalski (see also examples at Michael) is one such derivative. Additionally, the name has also incorporated some other similar sounding names, such as Polish Mikołajczyk (see Mikolajczyk).

When examining the variations of the name, one can compare Michals, Mikels, Mikles, and Mikols.

Source: Dictionary of American Family Names 2nd edition, 2022


Similar surnames: 

Search for a relative to learn more about your family history.

Hint: Try searching for a relative alive in 1940.

Where is the Michaels family from?

You can see how Michaels families moved over time by selecting different census years. The Michaels family name was found in the USA, the UK, Canada, and Scotland between 1840 and 1920. The most Michaels families were found in USA in 1880. In 1891 there were 214 Michaels families living in London. This was about 73% of all the recorded Michaels's in United Kingdom. London had the highest population of Michaels families in 1891.
Use census records and voter lists to see where families with the Michaels surname lived. Within census records, you can often find information like name of household members, ages, birthplaces, residences, and occupations.
Mapbox
© Mapbox © OpenStreetMap Improve this map

What did your Michaels ancestors do for a living?

In 1939, Incapacitated and Unpaid Domestic Duties were the top reported jobs for men and women in the United Kingdom named Michaels. 12% of Michaels men worked as an Incapacitated and 80% of Michaels women worked as an Unpaid Domestic Duties. Some less common occupations for Americans named Michaels were Taxi Driver and Housekeeper.

View Census Data for Michaels | Data not to scale

*We display top occupations by gender to maintain their historical accuracy during times when men and women often performed different jobs.

Top Male Occupations In 1939

  • Incapacitated
    12%
  • Fur Cutter
    8%
  • Carpenter
    8%
  • Taxi Driver
    8%

Top Female Occupations In 1939

  • Unpaid Domestic Duties
    80%
  • Housewife
    5%
  • Unpaid Domestic
    4%
  • Housekeeper
    2%

What Michaels family records will you find?

Census Records

There are 59,000 census records available for the last name Michaels. Like a window into their day-to-day life, Michaels census records can tell you where and how your ancestors worked, their level of education, veteran status, and more.

Search UK census records for Michaels

Passenger Lists

There are 7,000 immigration records available for the last name Michaels. Passenger lists are your ticket to knowing when your ancestors arrived in the UK, and how they made the journey - from the ship name to ports of arrival and departure.

View all Michaels immigration records

Draft Cards

There are 12,000 military records available for the last name Michaels. For the veterans among your Michaels ancestors, military collections provide insights into where and when they served, and even physical descriptions.

View all Michaels military records

You've only scratched the surface of Michaels family history

Discover More

What is the average Michaels lifespan?

Between 1944 and 2004, in the United States, Michaels life expectancy was at its lowest point in 1944, and highest in 1997. The average life expectancy for Michaels in 1944 was 29, and 72 in 2004.

View Social Security Death Index (SSDI) for Michaels

An unusually short lifespan might indicate that your Michaels ancestors lived in harsh conditions. A short lifespan might also indicate health problems that were once prevalent in your family. The SSDI is a searchable database of more than 70 million names. You can find birthdates, death dates, addresses and more.

Discover the unique achievements of ancestors in the Michaels family tree

Explore Your Tree
Search for another surname
Enter last name/surname
Start a 14-Day Free Trial