The Scottish clan MacDairmid, the surname also being spelt MacDarmid, MacDearmid, MacDearmaid, MacDiarmid, MacDearmont, MacDairmond, MacDermand, and all the short forms commencing "Mc", derives from the ancient pre 7th century Gaelic Mac Dhiarmaid, meaning "the son of Dermid". Quite who was the original Dermid is unclear, but the MacDairmaids of Glenlyon, Scotland, claim to be the original race of the region. Whether the clan are also associated with the Irish MacDermotts who claim descent from Dermot, the king of Connacht, in the 12th century, is also unclear. The personal name Diarmuid or Dermot means "free man", and it is said that Diarmuid and Blathmac reigned jointly as High Kings of Ireland in circa 657 a.d.. Early recordings of the surname show that it was sometimes prefixed with a "K" or "T" or even a "Ch" as in John McKeremt of Pollouchquay, in 1502, and Jhone McChormeit of Menyenis, in 1538. Other recordings include John Makeyrmit of Petty in 1502, whilst Archibald McDiarmott was a charter witness at Inverlevirmore in 1659. Church register recordings include the marriage of Neil McDermid and Isabella Brown on July 23rd 1857, at Glenmuick, Aberdeen, whilst Daniel McDiarmed married Jane Doherty at Londonderry, Ireland, on December 16th 1865. The first recorded spelling of the family name is believed to be that of Nemeas Mactarmayt, vicar of Kilchoman in Islay, in 1427, during the reign of King James 1st of Scotland, known as "Wee Jamie", 1406 - 1437.

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