Show ContentsLaidlow History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Laidlow was first used as a surname by the descendents of the Boernician clans of Scotland. The Laidlow family lived in Selkirk (now part of the region of Borders). They moved there from Laidlawstiel in Galashiels; however, it seems likely that Laidlawstiel was named after the family, not vice versa. The traditional view of the origin of the name is that it derives from the town of Ludlow, in Shropshire, with the name changing over time as the family migrated north into Scotland.

Early Origins of the Laidlow family

The surname Laidlow was first found in Selkirk, 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 Laidlow family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Laidlow research. Another 119 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1585, 1590 and 1603 are included under the topic Early Laidlow History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Laidlow Spelling Variations

Scribes in the Middle Ages simply spelled according to sound. The result is an enormous number of spelling variations among names that evolved in that era. Laidlow has been spelled Laidlaw, Laidlay, Laidler, Laidley, Ladlyle and others.

Early Notables of the Laidlow family

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


United States Laidlow migration to the United States +

Most of the Boernician-Scottish families who came to North America settled on the eastern seaboard of what would become the United States and Canada. Families who wanted a new order stayed south in the War of Independence, while those who were still loyal to the crown went north to Canada as United Empire Loyalists. In the 20th century, the ancestors of these families have gone on to rediscover their heritage through Clan societies and other patriotic Scottish organizations. Research into the origins of individual families in North America has revealed records of the immigration of a number of people bearing the name Laidlow or a variant listed above:

Laidlow Settlers in United States in the 20th Century
  • David Laidlow, aged 30, who landed in America from Thornton, Scotland, in 1907
  • Ed. Laidlow, aged 28, who settled in America from Kingston, Jamaica, in 1910
  • Mary Laidlow, aged 13, who immigrated to the United States from London, England, in 1911
  • Berth Laidlow, aged 26, who immigrated to the United States from London, England, in 1911
  • Henry Laidlow, who immigrated to the United States from England, in 1919
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Canada Laidlow migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Laidlow Settlers in Canada in the 20th Century
  • Annie Laidlow, aged 32, who immigrated to Toronto, Canada, in 1910
  • Margaret Laidlow, aged 29, who immigrated to Toronto, Canada, in 1910
  • Mary Laidlow, aged 30, who immigrated to Toronto, Canada, in 1913
  • Frances L.K. Laidlow, aged 60, who immigrated to Toronto, Canada, in 1913


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