Find out how popular the last name McDermith is in the United States and learn more about the meaning, history, and race and ethnic origin of people in America who are named McDermith.

McDermith, like all of the last names we have data for, is identified by the U.S. Census Bureau as a surname which has more than 100 occurrences in the United States in the Decennial Census survey. The most recent statistics we have for the McDermith surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of McDermith in America

McDermith is the 159712th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The McDermith surname appeared 101 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 0 people would have the surname McDermith.

The history of the last name McDermith

The surname McDermith has its origins in Scotland, dating back to the 12th century. It is derived from the Gaelic words "mac," meaning son, and "Dearmid," which is a form of the name Dermot or Diarmid. This name is believed to have originated from the Old Irish name "Diarmait," meaning "free from envy."

The McDermith family is believed to have originated from the Scottish Highlands, particularly in the regions of Argyll and Perthshire. Early records show variations in the spelling, such as McDiarmid, McDermott, and McDermid.

One of the earliest historical references to the name can be found in the Ragman Rolls of 1296, which were a series of documents recording the submission of Scottish nobles to Edward I of England. The name "Gillemichel McDermyt" is listed among those who swore fealty to the English king.

In the 15th century, the McDermith family was well-established in the Scottish Highlands, with several members holding prominent positions. John McDermith, born around 1420, was a respected clan chief and landowner in Argyll. His son, Duncan McDermith (c. 1450-1510), was a notable warrior and played a significant role in the clan's conflicts with neighboring clans.

Another notable figure was Angus McDermith (c. 1550-1620), who was a renowned poet and bard in the court of the Lord of the Isles. His works, which were written in Gaelic, were widely celebrated and helped preserve the cultural traditions of the Scottish Highlands.

During the 17th century, the McDermith family faced challenges due to the ongoing conflicts between the Scottish clans and the English crown. Many members of the clan were forced to flee their ancestral lands and seek refuge in other parts of Scotland or Ireland.

One prominent member of the McDermith clan during this period was Robert McDermith (c. 1630-1705), who served as a captain in the Scottish army and fought against the English forces during the Wars of the Three Kingdoms. He was later pardoned by King Charles II and granted lands in Perthshire.

In the 18th century, the McDermith name gained recognition in the literary world with the works of William McDermith (1722-1781), a Scottish poet and playwright. His most famous work, "The Highlander's Lament," explored the themes of cultural identity and the struggles faced by the Scottish Highlands during the aftermath of the Jacobite risings.

As the centuries passed, members of the McDermith family continued to contribute to various fields, including academia, politics, and the arts. Some notable figures include Elizabeth McDermith (1858-1935), a prominent suffragette and advocate for women's rights in Scotland, and Sir Alexander McDermith (1892-1978), a renowned Scottish architect who designed several iconic buildings in Glasgow and Edinburgh.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name McDermith

We also have some data on the ancestry of people with the surname McDermith.

The below race categories are the modified race categories used in the Census Bureau's population estimates program. All people were categorized into six mutually exclusive racial and Hispanic origin groups:

1. White only
2. Black only
3. American Indian and Alaskan Native only
4. Asian and Pacific Islander only
5. Hispanic
6. Two or More Races

For the most recent 2010 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for McDermith was:

Note: Any fields showing (S) means the data was suppressed for privacy so that the data does not in any way identify any specific individuals.

Data source

The last name data and ethnic breakdown of last names is sourced directly from the Decennial Census survey, conducted every 10 years by the United States Census Bureau.

The history and meaning of the name McDermith was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of McDermith, please contact us.

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