Home / Scottish Clans - Histories, Tartans Crests and much more / Clan Laing (Tartans, Crest) and The Story Behind

Clan Laing (Tartans, Crest) and The Story Behind

By ScotsTee Shop

Laing

Clan Motto: Mercy Is My Desire

Origin of Name: Descriptive of 'long' or 'tall'

Clan Chief: None, armigerous clan

⇨ View All Laing Tartan Products

Laing Clan History

The name Laing is derived from the word 'long' or 'tall'. It has been recorded under various spellings over the centuries. Numerous Laings have been recorded in Scotland, some dating back to the 14th century and working in a variety of occupations.

In 1357, Thomas Laing requested that Dumfries pay a portion of King David II's ransom after he was captured by the English following the Battle of Neville's Cross in October 1346. Thomas Layng, a notary public in Edinburgh in 1461, is also listed as Thomas Laing (burgess and notary public) in 1467.

In 1472, John Layng served as rector of Newlands, treasurer to King James III, and bishop of Glasgow. In the 16th century, his name appears in the Glasgow Protocol books.

Archibald Layng was a priest and notary public in the St Andrews diocese in 1502, and a John Laying was recorded in Tolhoip, Shetland, in 1623. David Laing (1790-1878) was a well-known antiquarian.

Laing is sometimes used as a shortened version of the name Loynachan in Kintyre.

Cosmo Gordon Lang served as Archbishop of York from 1908 to 1928 before being appointed Archbishop of Canterbury from 1928 to 1942. In 1864, he was born in Fyvie, Aberdeenshire, the son of a Presbyterian minister. Lang, as Archbishop of Caterbury, baptized Princess Elizabeth, the future Queen, in 1926, and officiated at George VI's coronation on May 12, 1937, following the previous year's abdication crisis. In 1942, the Archbishop was created Baron Lang of Lambeth.

Sir John William Laing (1879 - 1978), founder of the construction company John Laing plc, is one of the most well-known members of the family. Laing was born in England, but his paternal family was from Scotland.

Laing Places & People

Soon to come

Laing Tartans

Tartan Laing

The tartans listed below are also appropriate for this name.

Colquhoun the Elder

Colquhoun Contemporary

Gordon the Elder

Gordon Contemporary

Gordon endured

Gordon's Ancient Dress

Gordon Dress Contemporary

Gordon the Elder

Leslie Contemporary

Ancient Leslie Hunting

Leslie Hunting Contemporary

Laing Crest & Coats of Arms

Clan Laing Crest

Laing (Scotland): A proper dove with an olive sprig in its beak. Mercy is my desire, says the motto.

Coats of Arms of Laing:

A word about Coats of Arms:

A coat of arms is granted to an individual under Scottish heraldic law (with the exception of civic or corporate arms). A 'family coat of arms' does not exist. With the exceptions noted above, the arms depicted below are personal arms. Only the person who has been granted these weapons has the right to use them.