Surname Laing - Meaning and Origin

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Q. Laing

Laing: What does the surname Laing mean?

The surname Laing has Scottish origins and is derived from the medieval given name "Lang" which means "tall." It was often used as a descriptive term for a person who had a tall and lanky stature. Over time, the name evolved, and variations like "Laing," "Lange," and "Lang" emerged, further propagated through regional dialects and phonetic spellings. The name has also been geographically associated with Northeast Scotland, where many members of the Clan Lang and Laing resided. In Scotland, the name is commonly found in the regions of Fife, Perthshire, and Angus. Today, it's a popular surname circulated across Scotland and among descendants in countries like the USA, Canada, and Australia. For people with this surname, it could represent their ancestral history, likely pointing back to a towering ancestor from Scotland.

Laing: Where does the name Laing come from?

The surname Laing has Scottish and Northern English origins. It is derived from an old Norse-Viking personal name "Lang", meaning tall or long. In Scotland, the name is particularly associated with the region in the northeast known as Aberdeenshire. The first recorded spelling of the family name, dating back to 1296, belongs to one Thomas Lange in the "Subsidy Rolls of Sussex".

Today, the name is common in both Scotland and England. Moreover, due to historical emigration, it is also found among descendants of Scots in countries such as Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United States, and South Africa. The name has various alternative spellings including Lang, Lange, Lainge, and others. In terms of notable figures, R.D. Laing was a prominent Scottish psychiatrist who gained a worldwide reputation during the 1960s and 1970s. Scottish cricketer Gavin Main and British politician and journalist Maurice Laing also share this surname. The frequency of the name has remained fairly steady in Scotland but has fallen somewhat in England and Wales according to recent surveys.

Variations of the surname Laing

The surname Laing is of Scottish origin and has several variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. Variations include Lang, Lange, Long, and Lain. It possibly originated from the Old English word 'Lang', meaning 'long' which was a nickname for a tall person. The surname can also be found in the form Leing, Leng, or Leyng in old documents.

In Germany, this surname also exists, but it is spelled "Lange." It is a popular surname in the country. Similarly, "Lang" is more common in countries where English is the dominant language, like USA, Australia or England.

Similar surnames of the same origin also include Laine, Layne, and Line. All these surnames possess a similar phonetic pronunciation as Laing.

In terms of surnames of the same origin, there are also names which include the root 'Lang' such as Langley, Langton, and Langford.

However, even though the variants and similar surnames exist, the history, lineage, and ancestry might differ greatly among people bearing them and it is not an indication that people bearing these surnames are of the same lineage as those with the surname Laing.

Famous people with the name Laing

• Hannah Laing: former Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Dell Technologies.
• Margaret Laing: former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Newcastle.
• R.D. Laing: Scottish psychiatrist who wrote extensively on mental illness and espoused an anti-psychological approach to therapy.
• Fraser Laing: Scottish historian and television presenter.
• Rod Laing: British actor and television presenter.
• David Laing: Scottish bookseller, publisher, and collector of rare books.
• David Laing Purves: Scottish physician and anatomist.
• Jack Laing: Australian politician, known for his passionate support of the White Australia Policy.
• Elizabeth Laing: Scottish teacher, social historian, and authority on the history of women's education.
• Stuart Laing: English teache, historian, and author of several books on the history of Scotland.
• Jessie Laing: Scottish artist and illustrator.
• William Laing: Scottish politician who served as Secretary for Scotland.
• Ian Laing: former head of the Scottish Labour Party.
• Arthur Laing: former Canadian Minister of National Defence and Member of Parliament.
• William Laing: former British jurist and Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Ceylon.
• Neil Laing: English actor, known for his work in theater, television, and film.
• Karen Laing: Scottish painter and sculptor.
• John Laing: British entrepreneur and owner of John Laing Group plc.
• Gordon Laing: British sports broadcaster and journalist.
• Maria Laing: English actress, known for roles in “The Bill” and “Doctors”.

Other surnames

LainLaine