An English surname, Armitage comes from the Middle English term of ‘hermitage’ referring to a hermit. Variations in spelling of Armitage include Armitach, Armitack, Hermitage, and Ermitage. In Yorkshire, England the original Armitage families lived. Over the centuries the families move to most parts of England and Wales, but still the largest numbers in Yorkshire. In Scotland the concentration of Armitage families are located in the southern end, centered around Lanarkshire and Renfrewshire. Within the United States the earliest Armitage families settled in Massachusetts. From there they move into New York, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Ohio, Illinois, and California. Famous: Simon Armitage (an English poet, novelist and playwright), Karole Armitage (a professional dancer), Kenneth Armitage (renown English sculptor) and Edward Armitage (19th century English artist).