| ![Show Contents]() Lawther History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
Etymology of LawtherWhat does the name Lawther mean? The ancestors of the first family to use the name Lawther lived among the Boernician tribe of ancient Scotland. They lived in Berwickshire, where they took their name from the lands of Lauder, first granted to them by King Malcolm Ceanmore about 1057 AD. "This place, of which the name, in the Celtic language, is descriptive of its situation in the valley of the Leader [River], was granted in the early part of the 12th century, by David I." 1 Another source claims the name was from Lauder (Lowther) meaning famous warrior. 2 Early Origins of the Lawther familyThe surname Lawther was first found in Berwickshire an ancient county of Scotland, presently part of the Scottish Borders Council Area, located in the eastern part of the Borders Region of Scotland, where Robert Lauder was the first Chief of the Clan. His successor Sir Robert de Lauedre, witnessed a charter by John de Mautelent to the Abbey of Dryburgh at an undetermined date some time in the early to mid 13th century. "Bass Isle in the parish of North Berwick, county of Haddington was an ancient possession of the family of Lawder, and was purchased, in 1671, by Charles II." 1 Early record show: "Robert de Lavedre is said to have obtained lands in Berwickshire from Malcolm Canmore. Sir Robert de Lauedre witnessed a charter by John de Mautelent to the Abbey of Dryburgh (Dryburgh), and William de Lawedre appears as sheriff of Perthshire in reign of Alexander III. As early as 1297 the Lauders were possessors of the Bass Rock in the Firth of Forth. Robert de Lauueder, who had a charter of the lands of Colden in barony of Dalkeith, 1316, may be Robert de Loweder, justiciar of Lothian, 1327-1331. Another Robert de Lawdre was one of the borowis for the earl of Douglas's bounds on the Middle March, 1398." 3 Early History of the Lawther familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Lawther research. Another 174 words (12 lines of text) covering the years 1239, 1315, 1333, 1388, 1413, 1420, 1425, 1426, 1445, 1451, 1465, 1477, 1478, 1480, 1498, 1550, 1595, 1646, 1669, 1692, 1698, 1699, 1701, 1702, 1714, 1722, 1728, 1730 and 1771 are included under the topic Early Lawther History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Lawther Spelling VariationsBoernician names that evolved in the largely preliterate Middle Ages are often marked by considerable spelling variations. Lawther has been spelled Lauder, Laudor, Lawder, Lawther, Leather, Lauther and others. Early Notables of the Lawther familySir John Lauder, 1st Baronet, of Newington and Fountainhall (1595-1692), Scottish baillie and Treasurer of the City of Edinburgh; Sir John Lauder of Fountainhall, 2nd Baronet, Lord Fountainhall (1646-1722), one of Scotland's leading jurists; Sir John Lauder of Fountainhall, 3rd Baronet (1669-1728), Scottish burgess of Aberdeen (1701), city of...
Another 48 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Lawther Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Migration of the Lawther family to IrelandSome of the Lawther 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.
| Lawther migration to the United States | + |
Some of the Boernician-Scottish Clan families who came to North America were Loyalists who went north to Canada after the American War of Independence. Families on both sides of the border went on to found two of the world's great nations. This century, families with Scottish roots have rediscovered their heritage through highland games and Clan societies. An inquiry into the early roots of North American families reveals a number of immigrants bearing the name Lawther or a variant listed above:
Lawther Settlers in United States in the 18th Century- Charles Lawther, who arrived in Virginia in 1700 4
- Jane Lawther, who landed in Virginia in 1700 4
- Katherine Lawther, who arrived in Virginia in 1700 4
- Mary Lawther, who landed in Virginia in 1700 4
- Sidney Lawther, who landed in Virginia in 1700 4
- ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Lawther Settlers in United States in the 19th Century- Thomas Lawther, who arrived in Allegany (Allegheny) County, Pennsylvania in 1868 4
- John Lawther, who arrived in Allegany (Allegheny) County, Pennsylvania in 1870 4
- William Lawther, who arrived in Allegany (Allegheny) County, Pennsylvania in 1872 4
| Contemporary Notables of the name Lawther (post 1700) | + |
- Steven Lawther, Scottish former Head of Communications for the Scottish Labour Party
- Ian Lawther (1939-2010), Northern Irish footballer
- Charles "Chas" Lawther, British-born Canadian actor, comedian and writer
- Sir William "Will" Lawther (1889-1976), English politician and trade unionist
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: Repullulat
Motto Translation: It buds afresh.
- Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of Scotland. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
- Smith, Eldson Coles, New Dictionary of American Family Names New York: Harper & Row, 1956. Print
- Black, George F., The Surnames of Scotland Their Origin, Meaning and History. New York: New York Public Library, 1946. Print. (ISBN 0-87104-172-3)
- 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)
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