Map of Scotland showing where the Laity arms are recorded
The Laity arms were recorded in Scotland, c. 1748.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Edinburgh.
Edinburgh was the seat of Scotland's government, its courts and its heralds. Families with business there settled nearby, and being close to where arms were recorded is exactly why so many of them appear.
This is where the arms were entered in the register. Families often moved to other parts of the country, so the same name can turn up in more than one region.
The body that granted and recorded arms in Scotland in this period.
George II of Great Britain
Sovereign of the period
George II of Great Britain
1727–1760
Reigning in Scotland when the Laity arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Scotland
Scottish heraldry is unique because it treats a coat of arms as a piece of personal property protected by law. Only one person can own a specific design at any given time. When a family grows, the head keeps the original shield while other relatives must apply for their own distinct version with slight changes to prove their specific identity.
Granting authority
The Court of the Lord Lyon acts as the official body that regulates and controls all heraldic matters throughout Scotland.
How they got arms
Individuals obtain a legal right to their arms through a formal petition process that confirms their identity and family connection.
Where arms were recorded
All valid coats of arms are officially entered into the Public Register of All Arms and Bearings starting from 1672.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Scotland.
Origin & History of the Laity Family in Scotland
The surname Laity is primarily associated with the southwestern region of Cornwall, England, where it first appeared in historical records during the late Middle Ages. The name is thought to be topographical in origin, likely describing someone who lived near a specific landmark or a clearing in the woods. While the family established deep roots in the Cornish countryside, their movements in the eighteenth century show a broader reach across the British Isles. By 1748, members of the Laity family were documented as living in Edinburgh, Scotland. This suggests that the family was part of the growing professional and merchant classes who traveled between major urban centers during the Enlightenment. These early ancestors were likely drawn to Edinburgh by the city's expanding trade networks and its reputation as a hub for education and industry.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Laicus
Latin term referring to a person who is not a member of clergy.
This name
LaityAn occupational surname for a layperson or someone who served in a non-clerical role.
also spelled
Lautie
Lawty
Lautey
Lawtie
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Gover, J.E.B., Mawer, A., and Stenton, F.M., The Place-Names of Cornwall, 1948
National Records of Scotland, Old Parish Registers, Births and Baptisms, 1748
Reaney, P.H., A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
pileWell-doing, and a mark of distinction
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
pileWell-doing, and a mark of distinction
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
