KERMODE
Kermode is a surname of Celtic heritage, noted for its strong presence within the British Isles, particularly on the Isle of Man, as well as in Ireland, Scotland and in former British colonies such as Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the United States.
The earliest etymological roots point to Gaelic origins. In Manx tradition the name is thought to derive from cearmad, a word meaning “merciful”. As a descriptive appellation it would have been given to an ancestor celebrated for a kind and compassionate spirit.
In Ireland the name appears as a contracted form of the surname MacDermott, which itself is taken from the Gaelic personal name Difharmait – a compound of the separative prefix di and farmat, meaning “envy‑free”. The MacDermott sept is one of the few Irish clans whose head is still recognised as a genuine chieftain entitled to the title “The MacDermott”. Variants such as Kermott, Kermitt, Kermatte and Kermath have been documented, the most common spelling in the modern era being Kermode. The first recorded instance of the surname appears on the rolls of the kingdom of Manks in 1430 as Teag Mac Kermott. Subsequent attestations include a William Kermott who witnessed a deed at St Botolphs in London on 1 March 1617, Henry Kermode who married Catherine Keaney in Malew, Isle of Man, on 24 June 1684, and William Kermatte who is mentioned in a 13 February 1880 christening record in Stepney, London.
In Scotland the surname is associated with the Old Gaelic term Caramoid, meaning “dear friend”. Some scholars also suggest a Norse element from the word Kermi, denoting a fox or “one who ferrets out secrets”, hinting at a possible dual linguistic heritage. Historical records indicate that families bearing the name were prominent on the Isle of Man during the 17th and 18th centuries, often involved in maritime activities such as sea‑fishing, and later in education as teachers and ministers.
By the 19th century a significant number of Kermodes emigrated from the British Isles to places within the expanding British Empire. Their surname can now be found in sizeable communities in England, the Isle of Man, Australia, Canada, the United States, New Zealand and South Africa. The name remains the fourth most common family name on the Isle of Man, attesting to its sustained regional importance.
Several variant spellings exist, reflecting the surname’s spread across different cultures and regions. These include Carmody, Carmode, Carmeode, Karmeode, Cermod, Kermouch and many others. The diversity of forms demonstrates the adaptive nature of the name as it was rendered into English orthography in various localities.
Although the surname has been recorded in many English‑speaking countries, it remains largely confined to those with historical ties to the British Isles. In the United States the name is ranked 6 044th in popularity according to the 2000 census, illustrating its comparatively modest, yet persistent, presence outside the Commonwealth.
In summary, Kermode is a surname of Gaelic provenance that has evolved through both Irish and Scottish linguistic traditions, attested in historical documents since the early fifteenth century, and persisting as a prominent family name across the modern English‑speaking world.
Typical given names associated with the Kermode surname
Male
- Andrew
- David
- Gary
- Gm
- James
- John
- Mark
- Peter
- Philip
- Richard
- Simon
- Tim
- William
Female
- Deborah
- Helen
- Hilary
- Jennifer
- Kathleen
- Mary
- Nicola
- Sally
- Sarah
- Susan
Similar and related surnames
Related and similar names are generated algorithmically based on the spelling, and may not necessarily share an etymology.
How to communicate the surname Kermode in...
Braille
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Morse
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There are approximately 457 people named Kermode in the UK. That makes it one of Britain's least common surnames. Only around seven in a million people in Britain are named Kermode.
Famous people named Kermode
- Mark Kermode - Film critic
- Frank Kermode - Manx writer (1919 to 2010)
- Robin Kermode -
Names and descriptions courtesy of Wikipedia, and may contain errors. This is not intended to be an exhaustive list of every famous person with this name.