Map of Ireland showing where the McDermott arms are recorded
The McDermott arms were recorded in Ireland, c. 1645.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Dublin.
Dublin was the seat of government in Ireland and the place where grants were sought and recorded. Families with business at the castle or the courts settled nearby, and settling there put their arms on record.
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 Ireland in this period.
Charles I of England
Sovereign of the period
Charles I of England
1625–1649
Reigning in Ireland when the McDermott arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Ireland
The Ulster King of Arms granted coats of arms to individuals who proved their social standing and good character. These symbols were typically inherited by all legitimate descendants of the original holder. If a family branch wanted a unique look, they could apply for a specific change to their design through the office to ensure their identity remained distinct.
Granting authority
The Ulster King of Arms acted as the official body that regulated and issued all coats of arms throughout Ireland.
How they got arms
Families obtained their arms through formal grants issued by the office after proving their eligibility and paying the required fees.
Where arms were recorded
All official grants were recorded in the registers held by the Ulster King of Arms starting from the year 1552.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Ireland.
Origin & History of the McDermott Family in Ireland
The surname McDermott originates from the Gaelic name Mac Diarmada, which translates to the son of Diarmaid. The name Diarmaid itself is deeply rooted in Irish mythology and history, often associated with the legendary figure Diarmaid Ua Duibhne. By the middle of the 17th century, members of the family were well-established in Dublin, a time when the city was a bustling center of political and social change. During this period, the family name was already becoming a fixture in urban records as the McDermott line integrated into the evolving landscape of 17th-century Ireland. These early residents were part of a broader movement of families settling into the capital, where they navigated the complex legal and economic shifts that defined the era. Their presence in Dublin by 1645 reflects a history of adaptation and endurance that has characterized the family name for centuries.
McDermott Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Mac Diarmada
Son of Diarmaid, derived from the Gaelic words for free man.
This name
McDermottRefers to the descendant of a person whose name signifies one who is free from envy.
also spelled
McDermitt
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
MacLysaght, Edward, The Surnames of Ireland, 1985
National Archives of Ireland, Civil Survey of the County of Dublin, 1654–1656
Woulfe, Patrick, Sloinnte Gaedheal is Gall: Irish Names and Surnames, 1923
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chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
cross symbolChristian faith and service
boars headA fierce fighter who battles to the end
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
cross symbolChristian faith and service
boars headA fierce fighter who battles to the end
