Show ContentsLothian History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Although generally considered to be a Perthshire family, the Lothian surname is a habitational name derived from the place Loudoun near Cunningham in Ayrshire.

Early Origins of the Lothian family

The surname Lothian was first found in Perthshire (Gaelic: Siorrachd Pheairt) former county in the present day Council Area of Perth and Kinross, located in central Scotland, where they held a family seat from very ancient times, some say well before the Norman Conquest and the arrival of Duke William at Hastings in 1066 A.D.

Early History of the Lothian family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Lothian research. Another 105 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1727 and 1813 are included under the topic Early Lothian History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Lothian Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Lothian, Lowden, Lowdon, Loudoun, Loudon and others.

Early Notables of the Lothian family

More information is included under the topic Early Lothian Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


United States Lothian migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Lothian Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • James Lothian, who arrived in Philadelphia in 1813
  • Donald Daniel Lothian, who arrived in New England in 1830 [1]
  • David Bruce Lothian, aged 45, who landed in New York in 1854 [1]
Lothian Settlers in United States in the 20th Century
  • Alexander S. Lothian, aged 21, who landed in America from Redpath, in 1903
  • John Lothian, aged 27, who immigrated to the United States from Glasgow, in 1905
  • Mrs. Lothian, aged 26, who landed in America from Glasgow, in 1906
  • John Lothian, aged 22, who settled in America from Edinburgh, Scotland, in 1907
  • Lizzie Lothian, aged 2, who landed in America from Wishaw, Scotland, in 1907
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Australia Lothian migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Lothian Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • Mr. David Lothian, Scottish convict who was convicted in Perth, Scotland for 7 years, transported aboard the "Elphinstone" on 20th January 1836, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) [2]

New Zealand Lothian migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Lothian Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
  • Mr. Peter Lothian, Scottish labourer from Edinburgh travelling from Leith aboard the ship "Strathallan" arriving in Dunedin, Otago, South Island, New Zealand on 8th January 1858 [3]
  • Miss Helen Lothian, Scottish settler from Edinburgh travelling from Leith aboard the ship "Strathallan" arriving in Dunedin, Otago, South Island, New Zealand on 8th January 1858 [3]

Contemporary Notables of the name Lothian (post 1700) +

  • Dan Lothian, American telejournalist, CNN 's White House Correspondent
  • Thomas Lothian (b. 1928), American politician in Wisconsin, legislator, and college professor
  • David Eric Lothian (b. 1961), Scottish legal expert
  • Albert James Lothian (1895-1952), Scottish-born, Canadian architect


The Lothian Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Non dormit qui custodit
Motto Translation: The sentinel sleeps not.


  1. Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
  2. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 16th March 2022). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/elphinstone
  3. New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 26th March 2019). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html


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