Mcdiarmid
A Scottish surname derived from the Gaelic name "Diarmaid", meaning "free from envy".
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 720 Americans carry the last name Mcdiarmid. That puts it at #35,671 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 0.21 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 476,048 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Mcdiarmid surname. You will find the Census Bureau frequency data, an ancestry and ethnicity breakdown based on self-reported demographics, the name's meaning and origin where available, and answers to the most common questions people ask about this surname.
Bearers in the US
720
1 in 476,048
Census rank
#35,671
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
0.2
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
630
very rare in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 630 bearers of the surname Mcdiarmid in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 0.21 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 35671st position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Mcdiarmid, the largest self-reported group is White at 93.2%. The next largest groups are Two or More Races (3.2%) and Hispanic (1.9%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Mcdiarmid
The surname McDiarmid has its roots in Scotland, originating in the late medieval period. It is a Gaelic name derived from the personal name Diarmaid, which is believed to come from the Old Irish words "diar" meaning "free" and "maith" meaning "good" or "fortunate."
The earliest recorded instances of the name can be traced back to the 15th century in regions such as Argyll and the Western Isles of Scotland. Historical records mention individuals bearing the name McDiarmid or variations like MacDiarmaid, MacDiarmed, and McDermid.
One notable early reference is found in the Exchequer Rolls of Scotland from 1505, which mention a Donald McDiarmid. Another example is the Book of the Dean of Lismore, a 16th-century manuscript containing Scottish Gaelic poetry, which includes works by a poet named Dunchadh Mac Dhiarmaid.
The name McDiarmid has also been associated with several place names in Scotland, such as Kilmorie in Argyll and Bute, which was formerly known as Kilmory MacDiarmid. This connection suggests that the name may have originated from a specific clan or family group.
Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the surname McDiarmid. One of the earliest was Angus McDiarmid (c. 1679-1753), a Scottish Gaelic poet and sennachie (hereditary bard) from the Isle of Mull. In the 19th century, John McDiarmid (1787-1852), a Scottish inventor and engineer, is credited with developing an early version of the screw propeller for ships.
Other prominent figures include William McDiarmid (1887-1963), a Canadian politician and lawyer who served as a member of the House of Commons, and Hugh McDiarmid (1892-1978), a renowned Scottish poet and leading figure in the Scottish Renaissance literary movement. Additionally, Fergus McDiarmid (1906-1944) was a British Army officer who was awarded the Military Cross for his actions during World War II.
The surname McDiarmid has a rich history rooted in Scottish Gaelic culture and has been carried by individuals who have made significant contributions in various fields, including literature, politics, engineering, and military service.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Mcdiarmid
Among Census respondents with the surname Mcdiarmid, the largest self-reported group is White at 93.2%. The next largest groups are Two or More Races (3.2%) and Hispanic (1.9%).
The bar chart below shows how Mcdiarmid bearers described their own race and ethnicity on the 2010 Census form. The Census Bureau groups responses into six broad categories: White, Black or African American, Hispanic or Latino, Asian and Pacific Islander, American Indian and Alaska Native, and Two or More Races. When a category has too few respondents for a given surname, the Bureau suppresses the figure to protect individual privacy, which is why some names show fewer than six slices.
Keep in mind that these are self-reported numbers. A person's surname does not determine their race or ethnicity, and the distribution you see here reflects the specific population who happened to carry the Mcdiarmid surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- White93.2%
- Two or more races3.2%
- Hispanic or Latino1.9%
- Black or African American0.9%
- Unknown or suppressed0.8%
Year on year
2000 vs 2010 Census
How has the Mcdiarmid surname changed between Census years? The chart shows bearer count side by side, and the table compares rank, count, and frequency.
Census year comparison
| Metric | 2000 | 2010 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #35,757 | #35,671 | 0.2% |
| Count | 594 | 630 | 6.1% |
| Per 100K | 0.22 | 0.21 | -4.5% |
Between the 2000 and 2010 Census, the number of Mcdiarmid bearers went from 594 to 630 (+6.1% change). The surname moved up 86 positions in the national ranking, going from #35,757 to #35,671.
Notable bearers
Famous people with the surname Mcdiarmid
FAQ
Mcdiarmid surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Mcdiarmid?
The surname Mcdiarmid holds position #35,671 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 720 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 0.21 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Mcdiarmid surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Mcdiarmid, the largest self-reported group is White at 93.2%. The next largest groups are Two or More Races (3.2%) and Hispanic (1.9%). These figures come from the 2010 Census Bureau surname tables, based on how respondents described their own race and ethnicity.
Where does this surname data come from?
All surname statistics on Name Census are drawn from the US Census Bureau's decennial surname frequency tables. These tables list every surname that appeared 100 or more times in the 2010 Census, along with a frequency rate and self-reported demographic breakdown. You can read the full explanation on our methodology page.