A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Macdermott family of Britain.
Reg. 1957 · Britain, M–O
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
cross symbolChristian faith and service
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“D'or à la croix de gu., cant. de quatre merlettes d'azur. C.: une merlette d'azur. L. d'or et de gu.”
Britainc. 1700
Where the Macdermott Arms Were Recorded
Kent
Map of Britain showing where the Macdermott arms are recorded
The Macdermott arms were recorded in Britain, c. 1700.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Kent.
Kent sits between London and the short crossing to Europe, and the trade passing through made it wealthy. Merchant families bought land with that money, and it was landowners who took coats of arms.
This is where the arms were entered in the register. Families often moved to other parts of the country, so the same name can turn up in more than one region.
The body that granted and recorded arms in Britain in this period.
William III of England
Sovereign of the period
William III of England
1694–1702
Reigning in Britain when the Macdermott arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Britain
English heraldry allowed arms to be shared by all legitimate descendants of the original owner. These symbols were treated as personal property that moved through the generations to all children. While the eldest son kept the original design, other family members could use the same shield without needing to change it or register their own unique versions.
Granting authority
The College of Arms in London has regulated the use of coats of arms throughout England and Wales since 1484.
How they got arms
Families typically obtained their coats of arms through a formal grant from the Crown or by proving their ancient right to them.
Where arms were recorded
All official coats of arms are recorded in the registers kept at the College of Arms, which date back to the fifteenth century.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Britain.
Origin & History of the Macdermott Family in Britain
The name Macdermott originates from the Gaelic language, where it translates to "son of Diarmaid." The name Diarmaid itself is deeply rooted in Irish mythology and history, often associated with figures known for their strength and leadership. While the family is most famously linked to the province of Connacht in Ireland, members of the clan began to migrate and settle in different parts of the British Isles over the centuries. By the year 1700, records confirm that members of the Macdermott family had established a presence in Kent. This movement was likely driven by the broader social and economic shifts occurring across the region during that era. As these individuals settled into their new communities, they carried their ancestral name forward, blending their Irish heritage with the local customs of southern England.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Mac Diarmada
Son of the free man or son of the god of envy.
This name
MacdermottDerived from an ancient Gaelic personal name meaning one who is free from envy.
also spelled
Makdermot
MacDermott
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
MacLysaght, Edward. The Surnames of Ireland. 1985
Woulfe, Patrick. Sloinnte Gaedheal is Gall: Irish Names and Surnames. 1923
The National Archives (UK). Probate Records of the Prerogative Court of Canterbury, PROB 11
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
cross symbolChristian faith and service
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
cross symbolChristian faith and service
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
