Argent on a chevron gules between
three boars' heads erased azure
tisked and bristled or as many
cross crosslets of the last.
Crest: A demi-lion rampant
azure holding in the dexter paw
a septre crowned or.
Motto over: Honor et virtus.
A HISTORY OF THE McDERMETT NAME
MacDERMOT, Kermode.
"The MacDermots are one of the few septs whose head is recognized by the Irish Genealogical Office as an authentic chieftain,
that is to say he is entitled in popular parlance to be called The MacDermot; and in his case this is enhanced by the further
title of Prince of Coolavin, though of course as titles are not recognized under the Irish Constitution the designation is
only used by courtesy. The family descends from Tadhg O'Conner, who was King of Connacht before the Norman invasion. The
MacDermots divided into three distinct septs, or, if we disregard the branch which early accepted English Domination, into
two septs. The more important, having precedence, is that of Coolavin, Co. Sligo, formerly of Moylurg, whose territory embraced
much of Co. Roscommon; the other, further south in Co. Galway, owned Kilronan and was called MacDermot Roe (i.e. Red). Madam
MacDermot (1659-1739), of Alderford, wife of MacDermot Roe, was noted for her patronage of O'Carolan the harper at a time when
aristocratic of the bards was almost a thing of the past. O'Carolan was buried in the MacDermot family vault at Kilronan. The
name is numerous-- it is included in the hundred commonest in Ireland. It is the second most common in its home county (Roscommon)
and is also found frequently in Counties Donegal and Tyrone. It is seldom used without the prefix Mac, except in Co. Leitrim
where the simple form Dermot is not uncommon. Its derivation is simple--Mac Diarmada (son of Diarmiud or Dermot). Three men of
the name may be mentioned as outstanding: two of these were of the chiefly family of Moylurg--Brian MacDermot (d. 1592), learned
owner of the famous manuscript "The Annuals of Loch CA" and Hugh MacDermot (1834-1904), leading barrister and politician; and a
third, Martin MacDermot (1823-1905), Young Irelander and poet of The Nation. The name MacDermot is also to be found among the
prominent members of exiled Irish families on the continent, both as ecclesiastics and as soldiers.
In some parts of Connacht the name has been corrupted to Kermode, due to the aspiration of the initial D of Mac Diarmada in
spoken Irish."*
|
MacDermot Argent on a chevron gules between three boars' heads erased azure tisked and bristled or as many cross crosslets of the last. Crest: A demi-lion rampant azure holding in the dexter paw a septre crowned or. Motto over: Honor et virtus. |
|
* Edward MacLysaght, Irish Families, Their names, arms and origins,pg.114.
This site was designed for 800x600 screens and using Cutehtml from GlobalScape, Inc.