Recorded as Dunmore, Dunmuir, Dunsmore, Dunsmuir, Dunsmure and Dinsmore this is a Scottish surname. It is of tterritorial origin from the old estate known as 'The lands of Dundemore' near the village of Lindores, in the former kingdom of Fife. The component elements of the placename are believed to be the Old Gaelic "dundh", meaning a fort, plus "mor", a bog or extensive waste land. In 1248 Henry de Dundemore, (see below), made an agreement known as a 'controversy' with the monks of Lindores concerning the service in the chapel of Dundemor, and circa 1250, he witnessed the gift of one piece of silver annually to the monastery of Arbroath. Sir John de Dundemore was a regent during the reign of King Alexander 111rd of Scotland, (1249-1286), and Patrick de Dundemer of Fifeshire rendered homage in 1296 to the government of John Balliol. Richard de Dunmore was juror on an inquest at Perth in 1305, and Lord Charles Murray, (1660-1710), was created first Earl of Dunmore in 1686. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Henry de Dundemore. He was a charter witness, in the Register of Arbroath Abbey in 1219, during the reign of King Alexander 11nd of Scotland, 1214 - 1249. Surnames became necessary when governments introduced personal taxation. In England this was sometimes known as the Poll Tax. Throughout the centuries, surnames in every country have continued to "develop" often leading to astonishing variants of the original spelling.

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