This surname is derived from the name of an ancestor. 'the son of Gilliemichael.' 'Gillmichaelwas common, and turned into Gilmichel. The influence of the great Keltic mission at Lindisfarn, on the north of England, is visible as late as the Norman Conquest, for Domesday Book shows four northern proprietors, called respectively Ghilemicel, Ghilander, Ghillepetair, and Ghilebrid' (Yonge); compare Malcolm.

Gillemighel Adam, Lancashire, Henry III-Edward I: Testa de Nevill, sive Liber Feodorum, temp. Henry III-Edward I.

Gilimghal de Mirton, 21 Richard II: Forness Coucher Book.

GILLEMICHAEL: Gaelic Gille Michetil, 'servant of (S.) Michael.' Symeon of Durham under the year 1069 refers to a powerful chief 'beyond the Tyne,' i.e. in Scodand, called Gillomichael, that is, he says, the 'Lad of Michael,' by contrariety, for he would have been more justly named 'Lad of the Devil' (quoted in Sc. Ann., p. 89). S. Cuthbert in a vision revealed to one of the clergy of Durham the death and torments of this Gillomichael in Hell (loc. cit.). Eva, daughter of Gillemicel, was one of the grantors of Sands to the Abbey of Deer (Bk. Deer, III). Gillemichel the earl witnessed Earl David's foundation charter of Selkirk (afterwards removed to Kelso) Abbey, c 1120 (Kelso, 1), and also David's great charter to Holyrood, c. 1128 (LSC., p. 6). Gylmihhel filius Bridoc at Kyngeldures was one of the witnesses to the Diuise de Stobbo, c. 1190 (REG., p. 89: the digraph hh represents the guttural spirant eft). Gillemichel was 'persona de Moethel' (Muthill) c. 1200 (Cambus.), and the hermitage of Gillemicbel 'hermita' was gifted to the monks of Cupar by David de Haya between 1214—49 (SCM., II, p. 307). Gillemychel Mcath of 1232 (REM., p. 88) probably took his name from that of the patron saint of Kilmichael in Moray, and another Gillemichel was a bondman of Richard de Moreville in thirteenth century (APS., I, p. 94). Gillemichel mac Edolf, a juror in Lanarkshire, 1263 (Bain, I, 2338) appears in the Lennox chartulary as Gillemichel Makedolf, c. 1260 (Levenax, p. 85). As Gillemichell filius Edolf or mac Edolf, c. 1270, he granted 'illam quartariam terre que vocatur Gartchonerane' to his son Malcolm (ibid., p. 83—84). In 1329 there is an entry of payment to Gilmichel hunter, 'pauper (ER., I, p. 131). Three Gilmichaels were tenants under the bishop of Aberdeen, 1511 (REA., I, p. 367—368). Gilmichel a. 1152, Gyllemechall 1561. See also Maflmichael.