NameCensus.

UK surname

Mcdiarmid

A Scottish surname derived from the Gaelic name "Diarmaid", meaning "free from envy".

In the 1881 census there were 900 people recorded with the Mcdiarmid surname, ranking it #4,238 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 982, ranked #5,886, down from #4,238 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Killin, Govan Combination and Duirnish. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Rannoch and Aberfeldy, IZ15 and Lower Bow and Larkfield, Fancy Farm, Mallard Bowl.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Mcdiarmid is 1,156 in 1901. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 9.1%.

1881 census count

900

Ranked #4,238

Modern count

982

2016, ranked #5,886

Peak year

1901

1,156 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Mcdiarmid had 900 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #4,238 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 982 in 2016, ranked #5,886.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 1,156 in 1901.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Legacy and Demographically Mixed Communities.

Mcdiarmid surname distribution map

The map shows where the Mcdiarmid surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.

Distribution map

Mcdiarmid surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Mcdiarmid over time

The table below tracks recorded surname counts and rank from the 19th-century census years through the modern adult-register period.

Year Period Count Rank
1851 historical 760 #3,504
1861 historical 832 #3,314
1881 historical 900 #4,238
1891 historical 1,029 #4,052
1901 historical 1,156 #4,221
1911 historical 158 #17,277
1997 modern 848 #6,255
1998 modern 906 #6,130
1999 modern 924 #6,082
2000 modern 908 #6,139
2001 modern 887 #6,137
2002 modern 924 #6,073
2003 modern 900 #6,086
2004 modern 908 #6,056
2005 modern 931 #5,874
2006 modern 935 #5,868
2007 modern 949 #5,858
2008 modern 947 #5,893
2009 modern 939 #6,051
2010 modern 960 #6,071
2011 modern 949 #6,076
2012 modern 946 #6,002
2013 modern 953 #6,065
2014 modern 961 #6,073
2015 modern 967 #5,977
2016 modern 982 #5,886

Geography

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Where Mcdiarmids are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Killin, Govan Combination, Duirnish, Fortingall and Edinburgh. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Rannoch and Aberfeldy, IZ15, Lower Bow and Larkfield, Fancy Farm, Mallard Bowl, Skye North East and Broughty Ferry West. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.

Top historical parishes

Rank Parish Area
1 Killin Perth
2 Govan Combination Lanark
3 Duirnish Inverness
4 Fortingall Perth
5 Edinburgh Edinburgh

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Rannoch and Aberfeldy Perth and Kinross
2 IZ15 West Dunbartonshire
3 Lower Bow and Larkfield, Fancy Farm, Mallard Bowl Inverclyde
4 Skye North East Highland
5 Broughty Ferry West Dundee City

Forenames

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First names often paired with Mcdiarmid

These lists show first names that appear often with the Mcdiarmid surname in historical and recent records.

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Mcdiarmid

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Mcdiarmid, this points to the kinds of places where the surname is most concentrated today.

These neighbourhood labels describe areas, not individual people. They are useful because surnames often cluster through family history, migration, housing patterns and local work. A surname can be strongest in one type of neighbourhood even when people with that name live across the country.

The UK classification gives the national picture. The London classification is more specific to the capital, where housing, age profile, tenure and population mix can look quite different from the rest of the UK.

UK neighbourhood type

UK Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Legacy Communities

Group

Legacy and Demographically Mixed Communities

Nationally, the Mcdiarmid surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Legacy and Demographically Mixed Communities, within Legacy Communities. This does not mean every Mcdiarmid household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Households in these areas often include divorced or separated parents and commonly include children and young adults. The age structure is heavily skewed towards the most advanced age groups. Individuals identifying as members of ethnic minorities are not present in large numbers. Flats predominate, with some terraced, semi-detached, and detached units. Multiple car ownership is low, and housing is predominantly in the private and social rented sectors. Employment is less skewed towards traditional routine industrial occupations. Levels of educational attainment are generally low. The Group occurs principally in the Central Lowlands of Scotland and other Scottish towns.

Wider pattern

These neighbourhoods characteristically comprise pockets of flats that are scattered across the UK, particularly in towns that retain or have legacies of heavy industry or are in more remote seaside locations. Employed residents of these neighbourhoods work mainly in low-skilled occupations. Residents typically have limited educational qualifications. Unemployment is above average. Some residents live in overcrowded housing within the social rented sector and experience long-term disability. All adult age groups are represented, although there is an overall age bias towards elderly people in general and the very old in particular. Individuals identifying as belonging to ethnic minorities or Mixed or Multiple ethnic groups are uncommon.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

The Greater London Mix

Group

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Mcdiarmid is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers, part of The Greater London Mix. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Mainly located in Inner London, these neighbourhoods retain a diverse employment structure, with some concentration in associated professional and technical occupations rather than skilled trades or construction. Social renting is more common and levels of homeownership are low. Many residents identify as Black. There is a lower than average rate of marriage or civil partnership, few that are very old (85 or over) and higher than average incidence of disability.

Wider London pattern

A Supergroup embodying London's diversity in many respects, apart from low numbers of residents identifying as of Bangladeshi, Indian, Pakistani or Other (non-Chinese) Asian ethnicity. There is lower than average prevalence of families with dependent children, while there are above average occurrences of never-married individuals and single-person households. The age distribution is skewed towards younger, single residents and couples without children, with many individuals identifying as of mixed or multiple ethnicity. Social rented or private rented housing is slightly more prevalent than average, and many residents live in flats. Individuals typically work in professional and associated roles in public administration, education or health rather than in elementary occupations in agriculture, energy, water, construction or manufacturing. Incidence of students is slightly below average. Individuals declaring no religion are more prevalent than average and non-use of English at home is below average.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Mcdiarmid is most concentrated in decile 1 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the less healthy end of the index.

Lower deciles point towards weaker access to healthy assets or stronger exposure to local hazards. Higher deciles point towards stronger access and fewer hazards.

1
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Mcdiarmid falls in decile 7 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname near the middle of the scale.

Decile 1 represents the more deprived end of the scale. Decile 10 represents the less deprived end.

7
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Mcdiarmid is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of Over 70 mbit/s.

The scale below places that band in context, from slower local download bands through to faster ones.

10
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

This describes the area pattern most associated with Mcdiarmid, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

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.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Mcdiarmid families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Mcdiarmid surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.

Top counties

Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Middlesex leads with 4 Mcdiarmids recorded in 1881 and an index of 5.13x.

County Total Index
Middlesex 4 5.13x
Hampshire 3 18.76x
Caernarfonshire 1 31.75x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Hackney London in Middlesex leads with 4 Mcdiarmids recorded in 1881 and an index of 91.53x.

Place Total Index
Hackney London 4 91.53x
Portsea 3 95.85x
Llanfihangel Y Pennant 1 5000.00x

Top female names

These are the female first names most often recorded with the Mcdiarmid surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.

Name Count
Kate 3
Cecilia 1
Ethel 1

Top male names

These are the male first names most often recorded with the Mcdiarmid surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.

Name Count
Dunlorn 1
James 1
William 1

Top occupations

Occupational titles are kept as recorded and later transcribed, so related jobs, spelling variants and mistakes stay separate. Scholar was the census term for a child in education. That means the other rows often tell you more about adult work in Mcdiarmid households.

FAQ

Mcdiarmid surname: questions and answers

How common was the Mcdiarmid surname in 1881?

In 1881, 900 people were recorded with the Mcdiarmid surname. That placed it at #4,238 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Mcdiarmid surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 982 in 2016. That gives Mcdiarmid a modern rank of #5,886.

What does the Mcdiarmid surname mean?

A Scottish surname derived from the Gaelic name "Diarmaid", meaning "free from envy".

What does the Mcdiarmid map show?

The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Mcdiarmid bearers relative to the surrounding population.

What records is this surname page based on?

The historical counts come from census surname records. The modern counts and neighbourhood summaries come from later surname distribution records. Counts are recorded bearers in those records, not a live estimate of everyone with the name today.