(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.
Cognates: Irish: Mícheál. Scottish Gaelic: Mìcheal. Welsh: Meical, Mihangel. German: Michael. Dutch: Michaël, Machiel. Scandinavian: Mikael. Danish, Norwegian: Mikkel. French: Michel. Spanish, Portuguese: Miguel. Catalan: Miquel. Italian: Michele. Russian: Mikhail. Polish: Michał. Czech: Michal. Croatian: Mihovil. Serbian: Mihajlo. Slovenian: Mihael. Finnish: Mikko. Hungarian: Mihály.
Short forms: Mike, Mick.
Pet forms: Mick(e)y, Mikey.
English: variant of Telfer.
Americanized form of the Italian family name Taliaferro (cognate with 1), from tagliare ‘to cut’ + ferro ‘iron’, probably applied as a nickname for a metal worker or a fierce fighter (see genealogical note).
FOREBEARS The Virginia family of Taliaferro (pronounced Tolliver) are descended from London-born Robert Taliaferro or Tolliver, who settled in VA by 1647. He was the grandson of a Venetian, Bartholomew Taliaferro, who had settled in London by 1562. Between 1651 and 1673 Robert patented several sizeable holdings in Gloucester Co., England. He married Sarah Grimes, the daughter of an Anglican priest, and had one daughter and four sons, all of whom produced large and prosperous families.
