Laid History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Ireland

The name Laid comes from one of the family having worked as a person who worked as a servant or a page. This surname was originally derived from the Old English word Ladde, an English occupational name for a servant. 1 2 Conversely, another source claims that name was derived differently as "in Old English and Scotch, a lade means a canal or duct for water. " 3 In this latter scenario, the name would have been again an occupational name for one who works or lives near a canal.

Early Origins of the Laid family

The surname Laid was first found in Somerset where Godric Ladda was one of the first records of the name c. 1100. Later Richard Ladde was listed in Northumberland c. 1175 and Walter le Ladd was listed in Kent. 1 The Hundredorum Rolls of lists: Roger Ladde in Huntingdonshire and Thomas Ladde in Cambridgeshire. 2

Early History of the Laid family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Laid research. Another 38 words (3 lines of text) covering the year 1664 is included under the topic Early Laid History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Laid Spelling Variations

Spelling variations in names were a common occurrence before English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago. In the Middle Ages, even the literate spelled their names differently as the English language incorporated elements of French, Latin, and other European languages. Many variations of the name Laid have been found, including: Ladd, Ladde, Laddey, Ladds, Lade, Ladey, Laddy and others.

Early Notables of the Laid family

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

Migration of the Laid family to Ireland

Some of the Laid family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt. More information about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Laid family

Families began migrating abroad in enormous numbers because of the political and religious discontent in England. Often faced with persecution and starvation in England, the possibilities of the New World attracted many English people. Although the ocean trips took many lives, those who did get to North America were instrumental in building the necessary groundwork for what would become for new powerful nations. Among the first immigrants of the name Laid, or a variant listed above to cross the Atlantic and come to North America were : Daniel Ladd, who settled in Salem in 1633; John Ladd, who settled in Virginia in 1653; Charles and Michael Laddy, who arrived in Philadelphia in 1867.

Citations +

Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.