Recorded as MacDermot, MacDermott, McDermot, McDermott, and Dermott, Dermot, this is a famous royal and noble Irish surname. It is a patronymic with the clan claiming descent from Dermot, the King of Connacht in the 12th century a.d. The Gaelic prefix "mac" means "son of", plus the personal name Diarmuid later Dermot meaning "free man". Diarmuid and Blathmac reigned jointly as High Kings of Ireland circa 657 A.D., so it is likely that the roots of the clan could go back to this date. The chief of the family is recognized by the Irish Genealogical Office and entitled to be called "The Mac Dermot". He also bears the title Prince of Coolavin. Two great branches of this family existed in Ireland. The first belonged to Coolavin, County Sligo, and the second to Kilronan, County Roscommon. Their territories in these counties were known as "Mac Dermot's County". The Annals of Lough Ce dealing with main events in Irish history from 1014 - 1571, were inspired by Brian Mac Dermot, a 14th century chieftain. Martin Mac Dermott (1823 - 1905), was a Young Irelander and poet of "The Nation". The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Brian Mac Dermot of died at Moylurg, Ireland in 1592. Throughout the centuries, surnames in every country have continued to "develop" often leading to astonishing variants of the original spelling.

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