English
The surname 'Michaels' originates from England. It is a Patronymic of the given name 'Michael', derived from the Middle English name 'Michael', from the Hebrew name 'Micha-el' meaning 'who is like God', a name borne by various minor biblical characters as well as by an archangel the protector of Israel. In Christian tradition, 'Michael' was regarded as the warrior archangel, conqueror of 'Satan', and the given name was correspondingly popular throughout Europe, especially in knightly and military families. Public and Civil registry archive's confirm that the surname 'Michaels' and or it's variant's, date as far back as the thirteenth century were a 'Hugh fil Michael', from the county of Lincolnshire, England, is recorded on the Hundred Rolls in 1273. Historical archive's have been unable to definitely determine the exact period of settlement in North America but It is believed that the forefather's of this surname were part of the exodus of migrants that followed the Treaty of Peace signed in Paris in 1763, when great Britain obtained ownership of the whole of North America east of the Missisipi River excepting New Orleans. The chief reasons causing working class people to emigrate were, poor crop yields, high unemployment, and the misconception that America was a land of golden opportunity. It is has been estimated that after 1769 some 20,000 persons a year migrated to the Americas from the British Isles. Today, 'Michaels' is the 'Nine hundred and forty-second ' most common surname in North America.