Michel
A French form of Michael, often used as a surname from the medieval personal name.
The #1,383 most common surname in the United States (2010 Census) — about 1 in every 12,071 Americans shares it.
Etymology
Michel is the French form of Michael, the biblical name from Hebrew Mikha'el, meaning 'Who is like God?'. As a surname, it usually began as a patronymic or inherited from someone known by the given name Michel. In some cases, especially in Britain, it may also reflect French influence or the adoption of a Continental surname form.
History
The historical sources point mainly to a French pathway, with English references treating Michel as the French equivalent of Michael. Medieval records show bearers of the name in England, suggesting early use among people of French origin or French-speaking influence. The name also spread widely through Europe because Michael was a very common baptismal name.
Origin
Regions
Variant spellings
Fun fact
One historical English record cited by older surname scholars includes a bearer written as 'Walter Michel,' showing the surname in use by the medieval period.
From the historical record
“MICHAELSON, MiCHAEL'sSoN / ^- IVlichael. MICHEL IMcAe/isthe A.-French form of MICHELLJ Michael, q.v. Walter Michel.— /fM«rf. Rolls. MICHELS, Michel's (Son) : V. Michel. MICHIE, a Scot, double dim. of IVIJchael, q.v. MICHOLS = Michaels, q.v. MICKELl (Eng. and Scand.) Big, Great”
— Surnames of the United Kingdom: a concise etymological dictionary (2 vols in 1)