Surname Dermody - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'D'
Dermody: What does the surname Dermody mean?
The last name Dermody is an Irish surname of ancient origin. Records show that it is derived from the Gaelic language word "Diarmuid" which was a very popular name throughout Ireland during the early Middle Ages. It is thought to have originated in County Antrim, but families with this name have also been found in other counties, such as Galway and Cork. Spelling variations of this name include Dermott, Dermondy, Dermoty, Dermody, Dermond, and Dermonde.
The surname Dermody can be translated to mean "son of Diarmuid". The word is related to the Old Irish word Deir-muid, which means "free from envy." This may be in reference to someone of a noble character or it could also refer to someone who is independent and free thinking.
One of the earliest occurrences of the Dermody surname in Ireland can be found in the year 1320 in County Tyrone, which is located in the north of Ireland. During the 1600s, there was a visual artist and sculptor named George Dermody who worked in Dublin during the Baroque period.
The Dermody family has a long and ancient history in Ireland. The name is still quite common amongst Irish families today and is often used to refer to someone of special character or with a noble personality.
Order DNA origin analysisDermody: Where does the name Dermody come from?
The last name Dermody is most commonly found in the United States and in Ireland. In the US, the surname is primarily found in California, Massachusetts, and New York. In Ireland, it is mainly found in County Mayo, with some smaller concentrations in west Cork, north Kerry, and east Galway.
The surname is derived from the Irish patronymic O Doirmacaigh, meaning grandson or descendant of Doirmac, a personal name deriving from the Gaelic dorrmac, meaning "free man." The name is rooted in the O' Connor family; the original family name was O Conghalaigh or O Conghar. Those later became confused with Doirmac and Doirmeadh, and so the descendant family founders are now known as Dermody.
The Dermody familyhelped shape Irish history. Many of their descendants served as judges, statesmen, and politicians in both the United States and Ireland. As well, members of the family have been influential in the fields of business and the law. It is not surprising, then, to find the Dermody family name playing an important role in the history and culture of the United States and Ireland.
Variations of the surname Dermody
The surname Dermody is commonly found as a variant spelling of the European surname "Dermott", originating from an Irish first name, Diarmait. Diarmait is generally believed to originate from the first name "Diarmuid," meaning "without enemy." The English versions of these names have the same meaning, and are both found as surnames. Variants of Dermody can include Dermaid, Dermadda, Demerod, and Dermott.
In Ireland, the spelling “Dermody” is by far the most commonly found variant of the surname. The enclosed spelling is “O Daimhtheadha” which implies the obvious “descendant of Daimhtheadha,” which is the Gaelic root of the surname.
The name is also popular in Scotland both as an anglicised spelling “Dermott” and as a Gaelic spelling “MacDiarmaid”. In Scotland, Dermott is more popular than Dermody.
In many cases, the surname is often found with the prefix “Mc”, “McD”, “Mac”, or “MacD”, before the root of the name. This is not only found in Scotland and Ireland but also with those who have emigrated to other countries. Spellings including varieties such as MacDiarmid, MacDermott, McDermott, and MacDermid are also common.
Additional variants of the name can include Darbod, Daramod, Darbrod, and Darboad, as well as other misspellings when the name has been recorded. These alternative spellings, however, are not as common as the others previously mentioned.
Famous people with the name Dermody
- Lizzie Dermody— Irish-born actress, comedian, and artist
- Padraic Dermody— Irish lyricist artist
- Pat Dermody— American basketball forward and coach
- Andrea Dermody— Australian a stage and voice actress
- Maurice Dermody— English photographer and reporter
- George Dermody— American football player
- Tina Dermody— New Zealand swimmer
- Sean Dermody— Australian musician
- Molly Dermody— Irish poet
- Patrick Dermody— Irish politician