Michael Guth

(male) English form of a common biblical name (meaning ‘who is like God?’ in Hebrew) borne by one of the archangels, the protector of the ancient Hebrews, who is also regarded as a saint of the Catholic Church. In the Middle Ages, Michael was regarded as captain of the heavenly host (see Revelation 12:7–9), symbol of the Church Militant, and patron of soldiers. He was often depicted bearing a flaming sword. The name is also borne by a Persian prince and ally of Belshazzar mentioned in the Book of Daniel. Since the early 1900s it has been one of the most enduringly popular boys' names in the English-speaking world. See also Michal.

German and Jewish (Ashkenazic): from modern German and Yiddish gut, Middle High German guot ‘good’ or ‘capable’. This may be a nickname, but in the Middle Ages the term also denoted a freeman or a vassal of noble birth, and the surname may be a status name from this sense. As a Jewish surname it is often ornamental. Compare Gutman.