A Scottish, English and German surname, Michael comes from the Hebrew term ‘mikh’ referring to one like God. The spelling variations for Michael include Mitcham, Michel, Michels, McMichael, Micallef, Michaels, Mitchell, Mychell and Michell. In England the Michael surname started in the Surrey area. From there over the years it spread north to Yorkshire and Durham. It came very popular in Scotland. Michael families live across most of England and into Wales. The areas of Monmouthshire, Glamorgan and Carmarthenshire in Wales have higher populations of Michael families. In Scotland most areas of the country have many Michael families. The greater populations reside in Inverness-shire, Ross & Cromarty, Aberdeenshire, Lanarkshire, Renfrewshire and Midlothian. Within the United States the earliest Michael families lived in Virginia, New York, Pennsylvania, Alabama, Mississippi, North Carolina, Ohio and Maryland. Famous: George Michael (songwriter, singer and music producer from England), Kevin Michael (singer), George Michael (television sports broadcaster), Harry J. Michael (Congressional Medal of Honor recipient from World War II), Gertrude Michael (movie film actress) and Moina Belle Michael (established using the poppy flower to show support of military veterans).