Michelmore - Name

The early Victorian researchers concluded that this interesting name was Scottish and derived from the elements of Michel, the Norman form of Michael and the predecessor of Mitchel(ol) and "Mor" the gaelic for large. In this case the translation being the "Eldest son of Michel". However we can offer no proof of this romantic origin, except to say that the name is almost entirely recorded in England and that it seems odd that "Mor" was not applied to other personal names. We believe that the name is locational and from a now "lost" medieval hamlet or area called "Michels-Moor", nearly all recordings being in Southern England. The Church of St. Clement Danes, London holding many recordings. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of William Michelmore, which was dated 1786, married Mary Webb at St. Brides, Fleet Street, London, during the reign of King George III "Farmer George", 1760 - 1820. Surnames became necessary when governments introduced personal taxation. In England this was known as Poll Tax. Throughout the centuries, surnames in every country have continued to "develop" often leading to astonishing variants of the original spelling.