Origin of the surname Maitland

This famous English and Scottish name is of Old French/Norman origin, introduced into Britain by the Normans after the Conquest of 1066. There has always been some uncertainty about the source of the name, but there are two accepted interpretations, the first of which is derived from the Old French term "maltalent", in Anglo-Norman French "mautalent", translating as "bad temper", and ultimately from the Latin "malum", bad, and "talentum", inclination, disposition. This was used as a nickname for someone considered to possess an ungracious or discourteous manner.

Secondly, the surname may be locational in origin, from a place called Mautalant in Pontorson, France, so named from its "ungiving" unproductive soil. The earliest examples of the locational surname are recorded in Scotland, where one Gilbert de Maltalent was a charter witness circa 1215. The modern spelling of the name, Maitland, results from contracted pronunciation and folk etymological use of the common topographical element "land". The Maitland family who have held the title Earl of Laudersdale since 1624 have occupied their ancestral seat, Thirlstane near Lauder in Cumberland, for over seven hundred years. Maitlands have long distinguished themselves as lawyers and statesmen, and also in the naval and military services of Britain: John Maitland (1616 - 1682), second Earl and first Duke of Lauderdale, and a notable statesman, became the virtual ruler of Scotland in the mid 17th Century, and was a long-time companion and favourite of Charles 11. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Richard Maltalant, which was dated 1170, in the "Pipe Rolls of Northumberland", during the reign of King Henry 11, known as "The Builder of Churches", 1154 - 1189. Surnames became necessary when governments introduced personal taxation. In England this was known as Poll Tax. Throughout the centuries, surnames in every country have continued to "develop" often leading to astonishing variants of the original spelling.

The surname Maitland. Genealogy, origin, history, meaning, and significance

Discovering the historical roots of maitland is deeply interesting, as it takes us back to the ancestors and relatives who established this lineage. Research into the possible origins of maitland leads us to learn more about those who bear this surname. The origin, the coat of arms or the different heraldic shields, and the bibliography in which the surname maitland is mentioned are part of this exciting investigation.

The surname Maitland around the world

Although surnames have a specific origin at a certain time and region of the planet, many of them have spread far and wide across the world for various reasons, as is the case with the surname maitland. There is a considerable probability that maitland has crossed the borders of its place of origin to establish itself, to a greater or lesser extent, in other parts of the world. With all the information we have today, it can be said that the countries where maitland is most abundant are the following. The list of countries with a higher presence of people with the surname maitland provides us with a perspective on the history of the surname, beyond its origins, focusing on its migrations.

History of Maitland

The historical chronicle of maitland is based on a striking series of events that were led by those who have carried this surname throughout history. The deeds, the way of life, the places they lived, the family relationships they had, the jobs they held by those who were the first to be named maitland are found in every look back in the history of this lineage. For those like you, who are interested in the history hidden behind the surname maitland, it is essential to find all kinds of information, both direct and tangential, that helps to construct a solid narrative of how the birth and expansion of maitland developed.

We suggest that if you want to learn more about the surname maitland, try to locate it through the bibliographic sources we suggest. It is common for genealogy and surname enthusiasts to provide us with information of special value, so the data we offer about the origins of maitland could be modified. We keep our website updated through our own research and also thanks to contributions from people like you, after verification; so if you have information about maitland and send it to us, we will update it on this website.

Notable Figures Named Maitland

It's more than likely that there have been some distinguished maitlands throughout human history. We assume that there have been significant contributions to humanity made by individuals with the surname maitland, even though not all have been documented to our present day. Sadly, not all the contributions of those who bore the surname maitland were recorded by the chroniclers of the time.

The surname Maitland and its bibliographic sources

Thanks to a significant bibliographic review, we have so far compiled information on the heraldry, history, and genealogy of maitland. The bibliography collects information related to the surname maitland, which allows us to learn more about its meaning. The origin, history, coat of arms or different coats of arms, and the heraldry of maitland are recorded in a wide variety of sources and documents that are essential to know for better compilation.

SOURCES

These sources are essential for initiating the understanding of maitland, and at the same time, of surnames in general.

Origin of Maitland