mormaerdoms

Mormaerdoms were administrative divisions in medieval Scotland. The term "mormaer" itself is believed to derive from Old Irish and roughly translates to "great steward" or "great office holder." These mormaers held significant power and authority within their respective territories, acting as the king's representatives and governing the land. Their responsibilities likely included the collection of rents and taxes, the administration of justice, and the raising of troops for military service.

The mormaerdoms were not always clearly defined territories in the modern sense and their boundaries could be fluid, often overlapping with older tribal or Pictish divisions. Over time, the mormaers gradually consolidated their power, and their titles and lordships became hereditary. As the Scottish kingdom evolved, the mormaerdoms began to transform into earldoms, with the mormaers adopting the title of Earl. This transition reflects a growing trend towards feudalization in Scotland. The last officially recognized mormaerdoms effectively merged into earldoms by the 13th century, marking a significant shift in the Scottish administrative and noble structure.