Wikipedia
In early medieval Scotland, a mormaer was the Gaelic name for a regional or provincial ruler, theoretically second only to the King of Scots, and the senior of a toisech (chieftain). Mormaers were equivalent to English earls or Continental counts, and the term is often translated into English as 'earl'.
Usage examples of "mormaer".
The chain of the Mormaer of Moray lay in linked pairs of silver rings across his chest, fastened with the broad penannular ring which was his badge of office.
Maelsnechta, Mormaer of Moray by inheritance from his father, lived until 1085.
Donough remarked to Fergal on a rare winter afternoon of radiant sunshine, when they were enjoying a stag hunt Malcolm had arranged for the new Mormaer of Ce.
He was unfortunately unaware that the murder victim left a daughter, Gruoch, who was betrothed to a young Scot called Mac Beth, Mormaer of Moray, a man also of royal descent.
I have not named him mormaer yet, but he has been stewarding the lands in Kintyre for you and your brother.
I knew that a mormaer was the most senior of Scottish noblemen, under the King: rulers, petty Kings, stewards of large provinces, they were roughly equivalent to English Earls.
Which was hardly the best way to recommend him to the notice of the man who might be the next Mormaer of Kintyre.
Findlaech will find a way to get Kintyre back, since I understand the Mormaer himself is still elusive.
King of Man, the Lord of the Western Isles, the Mormaers of Caithness and Argyll, abbots and bishops and silver-haired Norse jarls and dark Pictish chieftains.