Surname McDermid - Meaning and Origin

McDermid: What does the surname McDermid mean?

McDermid is a surname of Scottish origin, derived from the Gaelic name "MacDhiarmaid" which means "son of Diarmaid". The forename Diarmaid, in Gaelic, is composed of two elements: "dia", meaning "god" and "armat", meaning "of arms" or "free man". Thus, the surname McDermid could be interpreted as "son of the god of arms" or "son of the free man". The name is most commonly found among families in Scotland, particularly in Argyll in Western Scotland where the Clan MacDermid, also known as Clan Campbell of Inverawe, originated. Over time, various spelling variations of the name have emerged, including McDiarmid, MacDiarmid, McDermott, and others. Like many surnames, McDermid has been spread around the world through emigration, and it is now found in many countries outside of Scotland. It is important to note that the meanings associated with surnames can vary and should be understood as approximations rather than absolute definitions.

McDermid: Where does the name McDermid come from?

The surname McDermid originates from Scotland and is an anglicized form of the Gaelic name "Mac Dhiarmaid", meaning "son of Diarmaid". Diarmaid is a personal name derived from "di" meaning ‘without’ and "airmid" meaning ‘envy’. Although the surname was first found in Perthshire (Gaelic: Siorrachd Pheairt), it is believed that McDermids migrated from Ireland to Scotland during the twelfth century.

Today, the McDermid name is relatively common in countries like the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, and Australia due largely to the Scottish diaspora. Typically, countries with significant Scottish populations have a greater prevalence of the McDermid surname. However, the greatest concentration is still present in Scotland, especially in the region formerly known as Argyll where the clan McDermid was traditionally based.

Variations of the surname McDermid

The surname McDermid is of Scottish origin, specifically deriving from the ancient Dalriadan clans of Scotland's west coast and Hebrides islands. This surname is an Anglicized form of Gaelic MacDhiarmaid, meaning "son of Diarmaid". The name Diarmaid means "free of envy". In ancient times, scribes recorded names by how they were pronounced, leading to many different spelling variations.

Common variants of McDermid include MacDermid, MacDermot, MacDermott, McDermot, McDermott, and Dermott. Other variations can be McDermit, McDermaid, McDermod, McDermond, McDermed, Dermid, Dermit, Dermitt, Dermond, and possibly others. Surnames derived from the same Gaelic origin could also include O'Diarmada or O'Dermody. It's important to note that these variations can depend greatly on the geographical locations and periods.

Additionally, the prefixes 'Mac' or 'Mc' can sometimes be dropped or interchanged. This may result in more variations like Dermid, Dermot, or Dermott. There might also be less common variants based on the phonetics of the surname. The variants and spellings of surnames like McDermid can differ significantly, owing to different periods, locations, and interpretations.

Famous people with the name McDermid

• Val McDermid: best-selling British crime writer and television producer.
• Phillip McDermid: Scottish footballer who played for clubs such as Heart of Midlothian, Falkirk, and St Mirren.
• Dean McDermid: Canadian professional hockey player who has played for the Vancouver Canucks.
• Michael McDermid: English footballer who has played for clubs such as Huddersfield Town, Barnsley, and Oldham Athletic.
• Mark McDermid: Professional boxer from Scotland who has fought in the British and Commonwealth Lightweight titles.
• Graeme McDermid: Scottish football coach who worked at clubs such as Aberdeen, Dundee United, and Heart of Midlothian.
• Jack McDermid: Professional cyclist from Scotland who has competed in many national and international races.
• Jenny McDermid: British children's writer who wrote popular books such as Summer at Smuggler's Cove and The Lost Kingdom of Montague.
• Derek McDermid: Scottish professional golfer who has played on the European Senior Tour.
• Avril McDermid: British actress and dancer, known for her roles in television shows such as The Bill, Taggart, and Footballers Wives.

Other surnames

McDermott