Surname McMichael: Irish or Scottish...

[Tattoo Bradley]

Is there a difference between MacMichael and McMichael?

Nope. In a nutshell "Mc" and "Mac" are the same. A lot of it boils down to the way the name was recorded when given orally etc. It's simply a spelling variation. It means simply "Son of Michael."

[Kent Frazier]

Thanks...

I see a Stewart kilt in my future!

Kent

[Tattoo Bradley]

Thanks...

I see a Stewart kilt in my future!

Kent

Were I to wear a Stewart tartan, it would most certainly be:

Stewart, Old (Wilsons of Bannockburn - 1819,) ITI #319

[ardchoille]

Thanks...

I see a Stewart kilt in my future!

Kent

There are many beautiful Stewart tartans.. Stewart Black is my favourite, but the tartan Tattoo Bradley posted is awesome too.

[sirdaniel1975]

The name "McMichael/MacMichael" is in Blacks book: The Surnames of Scotland on pages 542-543. There is a good bit listed on this name, more than most other names.

Below I will list some of the variant spellings:

MacMicheil, Mac Gille Micheil, Mac Gill Michell, McKilmichel, McMolmicheyl, McOlmichaell, ... there are many more

Below I will list some of the District and/or cities & isles listed:

Argyll, Apin, Lennox, Kintyre, Ardnamurchane, Inverness, Bute, Atholl

Argyll is mentioned most

Black also mentions some clan affiliations, which isn't common for him to have done in is book. Clans & other Family associations:

Clan Gregor - John McGillemitchell 1613
Christie - MacGillmicheil 1480 tenant
Carmichael - Lowland variation Kermichel 1180

[slohairt]

They are all Anglicisations of Mac Gille Mhicheil, which means 'son of the servant of St. Michael.'

[M. A. C. Newsome]

About the Stewart tartans:
http://albanach.org/stewart_tartans.htm