McDermott — Irish Surname Origin & Meaning
Irish form: Mac Diarmada
Meaning: 'son of Diarmaid'
Traditional stronghold: Roscommon, Sligo
Pronunciation: mick-DER-mot; Irish Mac Diarmada: mock DYEER-ma-da
History of the McDermott name
The McDermotts, Mac Diarmada, were kings of Moylurg, the fertile plains around Boyle in north Roscommon, and among the most powerful families of medieval Connacht. Their island stronghold, the Rock on Lough Key, is still called Castle Island, and a branch, the MacDermot Roe, held Kilronan nearby. Almost uniquely among Gaelic dynasties the family's title survived the wreck of the old order: the head of the family is still recognised as The MacDermot, Prince of Coolavin, seated in County Sligo. Seán Mac Diarmada of Leitrim, signatory of the 1916 Proclamation, gave the name its place in revolutionary history.
Variants: MacDermot · MacDermott · McDermot · Dermott
Famous bearers of the name
- Seán Mac Diarmada — Leitrim-born signatory of the 1916 Proclamation, executed after the Rising.
- Alice McDermott — Irish-American novelist who won the National Book Award for Charming Billy.
- Dylan McDermott — Golden Globe-winning American actor of The Practice.
Related names from the same part of Ireland: Kelly · O'Connor · Murray · Brennan · Flynn · McGowan · Flanagan · Boland