Laing
Laing
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Though many sources have assumed that the name "Laing" is synonymous with the descriptive Old English name "Lang" meaning a long or tall fellow, this is not correct. Laing is one of a number of names derived from de le Ange or l'Ange, which dates back to the time of the Norman Conquest. Other surnames derived from de l'Ange are Delange, Lange, Lainge, Loinge, Leng, Lenge, Langz, Lengze, and Lunge. Throughout much of Scottish history, Laing, Layng, Lang, and Lange have been used interchangeably. James Laing, born Auchterless, Aberdeenshire 1502, died 1594 and was buried in the chapel of the Sorbonn, was a Professor of Theology at the University of Paris. Sir Neill/Nigel Layng (1520 - died 1 July 1586), Writer of the Signet before 1544, Keeper of the Signet, a knight, is next mentioned in historic records. He is followed shortly afterwards by John Layng, Writer of the Signet (died 14 Feb 1612), who was Deputy Secretary (16 Dec 1594) and Keeper of the Signet 1583-1609, and was buried in Greyfriars churchyard. Both Nigel and John were married to Miss Dennistoun. Nigel was married to Elizabeth and John to Rebecca. It seems likely that they were either father and son, or brothers. During the period of 1689 to 1746, the Laings, ever involved in Church politics and staunch supporters of the Stewarts, found themselves embroiled in the Jacobite rebellions. Active on the field in the first two rebellions and then politically in the third, some of the family found it healthier to sell what they could and move to the colonies. Of the men that fought on the side of Prince Charles at the battle of Culloden, only a few survived the slaughter by the English forces. Thomas Laing from Aberdeen, of Roy Stuart's Regiment, was among the 88 Jacobite survivors that were placed aboard the "Guildart" and shipped to the American Colonies in exile. A relative, John Laing of Old Montrose, a member of Olglevy's regiment, was not so fortunate. He is listed as having fallen in battle on the fields of Culloden. James Laing, who had openly supported the rebellion with numbers of others, also moved to the American colonies. According to family tales, he was smuggled over by the Gordons who were outwardly loyal to the Crown. The line of the head of the family remained in the Howe of Fife until 1820 at which time the representer of that branch moved to South Africa where it yet endures.
Many questions arise when discussing family relationships of the Laing and Lang families of Scotland. According to one popular definition, "A sept is a family which can be linked to a clan. Either because they sought protection under that name or the family name is derived from the clan name." Historical research has uncovered no documented proof for such a relationship by the Laing clan or family to any other. From the Clan Laing web page. See link below |