Show ContentsLauder History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The English surname Lauder was originally the name of a place in Westmorland.

Early Origins of the Lauder family

The surname Lauder was first found in Westmorland where William de Laudre was listed in the Pipe Rolls for 1184. 1 However, most of the family claim Berwickshire, Scotland as their ancient homestead as Lauder is a royal burgh dating back to at least the early part of the 12th century, when David I. granted lands to their ancient ancestors. 2 here "the family are descended from Robert Lauder, a follower of Sir William Wallace." 3

In Ireland, the name was often changed to Leather, (meaning strong) from which we find variants like Leatherwood today. 4 Other variants like Louderback and Lauderback are extensions from the original name.

Early History of the Lauder family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Lauder research. Another 123 words (9 lines of text) covering the years 1057, 1297, 1298, 1311, 1516, 1611, 1646 and 1772 are included under the topic Early Lauder History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Lauder Spelling Variations

Although the name, Lauder, appeared in many references, from time to time, the surname was shown with the spellings Lauder, Laudor, Lawder, Lawther, Leather, Lauther and others.

Early Notables of the Lauder family

Notable amongst the family name during their early history was

  • Sir Robert Lauder of Bass (d. 1311), a supporter of William Wallace at Stirling Bridge in 1297, and at Falkirk in 1298

Ireland Migration of the Lauder family to Ireland

Some of the Lauder 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.


United States Lauder migration to the United States +

Gradually becoming disenchanted with life in Ireland many of these uprooted families sailed aboard the armada of sailing ships known as the "White Sails" which plied the stormy Atlantic. These overcrowded ships often arrived with only 60 to 70% of their original passenger list, many dying of cholera, typhoid, dysentery or small pox. In North America, some of the first immigrants who could be considered kinsmen of the Lauder family name Lauder, or who bore a variation of the surname were

Lauder Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
  • D Lauder, who landed in Texas in 1650-1906 5
Lauder Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • Peter Lauder, who arrived in Virginia in 1704 5
  • George Lauder, who settled in Virginia in 1716
  • Mary Lauder, who arrived in Georgia in 1795 5
Lauder Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • John and Sarah Lauder, who settled in Belfast Maine in 1820
  • George Lauder, who arrived in North Carolina in 1851 5

Canada Lauder migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Lauder Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century
  • Nathaniel Lauder, who landed in Esquimalt, British Columbia in 1862

Australia Lauder migration to Australia +

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

Lauder Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • John Lauder, aged 32, who arrived in South Australia in 1849 aboard the ship "Emily" 6
  • John Lauder, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Emily" in 1849 6
  • William Lauder, aged 22, a carpenter, who arrived in South Australia in 1854 aboard the ship "Dirigo" 7

New Zealand Lauder 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:

Lauder Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
  • Mr. James Lauder, Scottish settler travelling from Glasgow aboard the ship "Storm Cloud" arriving in Dunedin, Otago, South Island, New Zealand on 27th April 1860 8
  • Miss Emily Lauder, (b. 1833), aged 28, British domestic servant travelling from London aboard the ship "Mystery" arriving in Lyttelton, Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand on 7th January 1862 9
  • Edward Lauder, aged 24, a farm labourer, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Wairoa" in 1877
  • Mr. Edward Lauder, (b. 1853), aged 24, Cornish farm Labourer departing on 7th July 1877 aboard the ship "Wairoa" arriving in Wellington, New Zealand on 19th October 1877 10

Contemporary Notables of the name Lauder (post 1700) +

  • Estée Lauder (1908-2004), American entrepreneur, co-founder and namesake of Estée Lauder, Inc., with her husband, Joseph, in 1946, recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom
  • Billy Lauder (1874-1933), American Major League Baseball player
  • William S. Lauder, American Republican politician, Delegate to North Dakota State Constitutional Convention from Richland County, 1889; Delegate to Republican National Convention from North Dakota, 1912 11
  • William Lauder, American Republican politician, Presidential Elector for Pennsylvania, 1904 11
  • Ronald Stephen Lauder (b. 1944), American politician, U.S. Ambassador to Austria, 1986-87 11
  • John B. Lauder, American politician, Prohibition Candidate for Presidential Elector for Massachusetts, 1956; Prohibition Candidate for Massachusetts State Auditor, 1958 11
  • Sir Andrew Lauder of Fountainhall (1702-1769), 5th Baronet, Scottish Burgess of the Royal Burgh of Lauder (1737), and Musselburgh (1739)
  • Sir Thomas Dick Lauder (1784-1848), Scottish writer, he served in the Cameron Highlanders as a young man before settling down and marrying the heiress of the Regulas baronetcy in 1808, best known for his two romances, as well as two compilations of Scottish legends and "An Account of the Great Morayshire Floods," published in 1830
  • William Lauder (1680-1771), Scottish scholar
  • Robert Scott Lauder (1803-1869), Scottish painter
  • ... (Another 1 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)


The Lauder 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: Sub umbra alarum tuarus
Motto Translation: Under the shadow of thy wings.


Suggested Readings for the name Lauder +

  • The Lauder Family in America by Margaret Emily Lauder.

  1. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
  2. Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of Scotland. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
  3. Sims, Clifford Stanley The Origin and Signification of Scottish Surnames. 1862. Print.
  4. MacLysaght, Edward, Supplement to Irish Families. Baltimore: Genealogical Book Company, 1964. Print.
  5. 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)
  6. State Records of South Australia. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) The EMILY 1849. Retrieved from http://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/BSA/1849Emily.htm
  7. South Australian Register Thursday 23rd November 1854. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) Dirigo 1854. Retrieved http://www.theshipslist.com/ships/australia/dirigo1854.shtml
  8. New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 26th March 2019). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
  9. New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 17th October 2018). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
  10. Cornwall Online Parish Clerks. (Retrieved 2018, April 30). Emigrants to Wellington 1872-1880 [PDF]. Retrieved from http://www.opc-cornwall.org/Resc/pdfs/emigration_nz_wellington.pdf
  11. The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, October 7) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html


Houseofnames.com on Facebook