The surname Miquel is primarily of Catalan origin. It derives from the given name Miguel, which is a variant of the Hebrew name Micha'el, meaning "who is like God?". The name became popular among the Christians in Europe due to the Archangel Michael, who holds a significant role in Christian lore. In Catalonia, a region in northeastern Spain, it has been adopted as a surname and was often Latinized as Miquel during the Middle Ages.
The surname Miquel is of Hebrew origin and is a variant of the name Michael, which means "who is like God" in Hebrew. It is believed to have been brought to Spain by Jewish immigrants during the Middle Ages. In Catalonia, a region in northeastern Spain, it became a common surname due to the large Jewish population that resided there. Over time, some of these Jews converted to Christianity and adopted Christian names, but retained their original Hebrew surnames. The Miquel surname is most prevalent in Catalonia and other parts of Spain.
The surname Miquel is predominantly found in regions with historical ties to Catalonia, a community in northeastern Spain. Its highest concentration can be observed within this autonomous region and the Balearic Islands, where it represents one of the most common surnames. Additionally, smaller but significant populations bearing the name Miquel can be found in other Spanish-speaking countries due to migration from Catalonia, particularly in Argentina, Mexico, and Venezuela. The name's presence is also detected in France, especially in regions bordering Spain like the Pyrénées-Orientales, reflecting historical movements and cultural exchanges between the two nations.
The surname Miquel has several variations and spellings due to differences in transliteration, regional dialects, and historical influences. Here are some common forms:
* Miquel (Catalan)
* Miguel (Spanish)
* Mygel (Old Welsh)
* Miguël (Portuguese, French)
* Mickel (English, medieval variant)
* Mickle, Micle (Scottish, English, and Irish variants)
The root of the name is believed to be from the Hebrew Micah, meaning "who is like God?" It was commonized in various countries throughout history due to Jewish migration. In Catalonia, it is a widely used surname, while in Spain, Portugal, France, and other Spanish-speaking countries, it has been adapted as Miguel. The Scottish and Irish variants Mickle and Micle may have evolved from the Anglicized form of the original Hebrew name, with the addition of a regional suffix "-le" or "-lc".
Notable individuals with the surname Miquel include:
1. Joan Miquel Igarzabal (1924-1972), a Basque poet and journalist who wrote under the pseudonym Juan Mari Labrit. He is recognized for his contributions to Basque literature and culture.
2. Josep Lluís Miquel i Sucarrat (born 1958), a Catalan mathematician and computer scientist known for his work on artificial intelligence, robotics, and computational geometry. He has received several awards for his contributions to these fields.
3. Carles Miquel Abella (born 1962), a Spanish economist and politician who served as the Minister of Finance and Economy of Catalonia from 2015 to 2017. Prior to this, he held several positions in academia and public administration.
4. Joan Miquel Salvans (born 1968), a Spanish-Catalan visual artist known for his use of different mediums such as painting, sculpture, drawing, and installation art. He has exhibited his work internationally.
5. Montserrat Míguez (born 1974), a Spanish actress who started her career in the late 1980s. She is best known for her roles in television shows such as "Policía, en el corazón de la ciudad" and "El secreto de Puente Viejo."
These individuals have made significant contributions in various fields including literature, mathematics, economics, politics, and art.
The surname Miquel is primarily of Catalan origin, stemming from the medieval personal name Mikhael, derived from the Hebrew Micha'el, meaning "who is like God?". The name became popularized during the Middle Ages in the Kingdom of Aragon, a region now divided among Spain, Andorra, and France, where Catalan was spoken. Notable figures with this surname include Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra (1547-1616), a Spanish novelist who wrote "Don Quixote," and Joan Miquel Colomer i Font (born 1950), a prominent Catalan politician and historian. The name has various spelling variations, including Miguel, Miguelle, Miquelon, and Mikkel, reflecting its evolution over time due to regional dialects and historical influences.
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