Show ContentsMacDiarmid History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Etymology of MacDiarmid

What does the name MacDiarmid mean?

MacDiarmid is a very old Scottish name that may even date back to the Dalriadan tribe of Scotland's western coast and Hebrides islands. It comes from the personal name Dermid which is derived from the Gaelic Mac Dhiarmaid, which means son of Dermid. "The Macdiarmids of Glenlyon claim or claimed to be the oldest if not the aboriginal race of the district. Nemeas Mactarmayt was rector of St Conganus de Duybrinis (Durinish) and afterwards vicar of Kilchoman in Islay, 1427. " 1

Early Origins of the MacDiarmid family

The surname MacDiarmid was first found in Perthshire (Gaelic: Siorrachd Pheairt) former county in the present day Council Area of Perth and Kinross, located in central Scotland, where they held a family seat from early times and their first records appeared on the early census rolls taken by the early Kings of Britain to determine the rate of taxation of their subjects.

Early History of the MacDiarmid family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our MacDiarmid research. Another 336 words (24 lines of text) covering the years 1502, 1504, 1529, 1533, 1613, 1638, 1659, 1685, 1686, 1687, 1692, 1698, 1700, 1706, 1743, 1779, 1790, 1799, 1801, 1808, 1811, 1817, 1819, 1828, 1832, 1850, 1852 and 1862 are included under the topic Early MacDiarmid History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

MacDiarmid Spelling Variations

Spelling variations are a very common occurrence in records of early Scottish names. They result from the repeated and inaccurate translations that many names went through in the course of various English occupations of Scotland. MacDiarmid has been spelled MacDairmid, MacDermid, MacDiarmid, MacDarmid, MacDearmid, MacDermaid, MacDermont and many more.

Early Notables of the MacDiarmid family

Notable amongst the Clan from early times was

  • John MacDiarmid (1779-1808), Scottish journalist and author, born in 1779 at Weem, Perthshire, where his father, James Macdiarmid (1743-1828), was parish minister. A brother, James, was an officer in...


MacDiarmid migration to the United States +

Numerous Scottish settlers settled along the east coast of the colonies that would become the United States and Canada. Others traveled to the open country of the west. At the time of the American War of Independence, some remained in the United States, while those who remained loyal to the crown went north to Canada as United Empire Loyalists. The highland games and Clan societies that sprang up across North America in the 20th century have helped many Scots to recover parts of their lost traditions. Research into passenger and immigration lists has revealed some of the very first MacDiarmids to arrive in North America:

MacDiarmid Settlers in United States in the 20th Century
  • Isabella Dunn Macdiarmid, aged 21, who landed in America from Glasgow, Scotland, in 1919
  • Allen Campbell MacDiarmid, aged 41, who landed in America from Glasgow, Scotland, in 1922
  • John MacDiarmid, aged 36, who settled in America from Dalmuir, Scotland, in 1923

MacDiarmid migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

MacDiarmid Settlers in Canada in the 20th Century
  • Archibald C. Macdiarmid, aged 33, who settled in Toronto, Canada, in 1910
  • Katherine Macdiarmid, aged 40, who immigrated to Windsor, Canada, in 1910

Contemporary Notables of the name MacDiarmid (post 1700) +

  • John MacDiarmid, American U.N. Official
  • Hugh MacDiarmid (1892-1978), pen name of Christopher Murray Grieve, a Scottish poet and committed Scottish nationalist
  • Douglas Kerr MacDiarmid (1922-2020), New Zealand expatriate painter, known for his diversity and exceptional use of colour
  • Margaret MacDiarmid (d. 2010), Canadian politician, Minister of Education and Minister Responsible for Early Learning and Literacy of British Columbia
  • Findlay "Finlay" George MacDiarmid (1869-1933), Canadian farmer and politician who represented Elgin West in the Legislative Assembly of Ontario in 1898 and from 1900 to 1919 and from 1923 to 1929
  • Finlay Melrose "Toby" MacDiarmid OBE (1925-2003), Australian politician
  • William Burton MacDiarmid (1875-1947), Canadian Liberal party member of the Canadian House of Commons, Member of Parliament for Glengarry (1940-1945)
  • Alan Graham MacDiarmid ONZ (b. 1927), New Zealand chemist who was awarded the Nobel Prize for Chemistry in 2000

Vimy Ridge
  • Charles Bruce Pitblado MacDiarmid (1886-1917), Canadian carpenter, Private in the 44th Battalion from Manitoba who died at Vimy Ridge June 1917


The MacDiarmid Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Non immenor beneficii
Motto Translation: Grateful for kindness.


  1. Black, George F., The Surnames of Scotland Their Origin, Meaning and History. New York: New York Public Library, 1946. Print. (ISBN 0-87104-172-3)


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