'barmkin' originates from Scots and northern Middle English, possibly from Middle English 'barmekin', where the element 'barm' referred to an enclosure or edge and the diminutive suffix '-kin' meant 'small'.

'barmkin' changed from Middle English and Scots forms such as 'barmekin' and 'barmkin' and eventually became the modern English word 'barmkin'.

Initially, it meant 'a small protective enclosure' and over time the meaning narrowed to specifically denote 'the defensive courtyard or low-walled enclosure around a tower house or small castle'.