Michael Klingbeil

(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: from Middle High German klingen ‘to ring or sound’ + bīl ‘axe’, literally ‘sound the axe’, an occupational nickname for a journeyman, carpenter, shipwright (or any occupation involving the use of an axe). Journeymen's names often contained a humorous element, as they were bestowed at merry promotion parties or ‘christenings’ held to celebrate the recipients successful completion of their apprenticeship.