Taylor Surname Ancestry (and some interesting facts)
If you are interested in the ancestry of the Taylor surname, then this blog post could be interesting for you…
Taylor is the fourth most common surname in Britain and the 14th most common in Scotland. The latest common Scottish surnames can be found here.
Where did the Surname Taylor come from?
The origin of the Taylor surname is an occupational name from the old French word ‘tailler’ to mean ‘to cut’, as in cutter of cloth.
The name can be found in Scottish records from the earliest times under its Latinised version of ‘Scissor’ or ‘Cissor’. Land had been given to Walter Cissor in 1137 from King David II, while Donald and Bricius Cissor witnessed a deed at Inverness in 1462. The latinised version is no longer in use but the word tailor passed into Gaelic as ‘tailleur’ and gave rise to the Highland surnames of Macantailler, Macintaylor and Macintaileour. Keep on reading for more on the Highland surname…
Some Interesting History about the Taylor Surname
During the time of Mary Queen of Scots, a Scotsman named Donald Taillear dubh na tuighe was known as Black Taylor of the Axe. He was a feared warrior who was skilled in the use of the Lochaber axe. This axe had a very sharp edge with a vicious hook.
The story goes that Black Taylor was the illegitimate child of Ewen Cameron of Lochiel, 14th chief of Clan Cameron. As a child, he had been looked after by the local tailor’s wife. Apparently, this is how he acquired the name Taillear. Consequently, his connection with the Camerons led to the affiliation with Clan Cameron.
Because of his illegitimacy, he was unable to inherit the chieftainship of the clan after the death of his father. So, to survive, he carved out a name for himself as one of the clan’s greatest warriors. He eventually settled in Cowal, on the west coast of Scotland, where he and his followers became known as the Macantaillears (son of the tailor).
In 1613, some Macantaillears of Cowal were fined for giving shelter to members of the Clan MacGregor. They had been outlawed by King James VI in 1603 for fighting and beating the king’s allies, the Colquhouns, at the Battle of Glen Fruin. Subsequently the MacGregor name was banned and their chieftain was hanged in Edinburgh in 1604. Many MacGregors had to assume a new identity, often changing their names to neutral surnames such as Black or Brown.
Although there is no evidence, I wonder if any of the MacGregors, who obtained shelter on Cowal, actually adopted the Macantaillears’ name.
The Taylor Clan Tartan
As a sept of the Clan Cameron, Taylors can wear the Cameron tartans. In 1955, Lieutenant-Colonel Iain Cameron Taylor and Margaret MacDougall, of the Inverness Museum, together designed a Taylor tartan. This tartan features double black lines to represent Black Taylor of the Axe.
Are you related to one of these famous Taylors?
Replacing their warfare skills to other talents, generations of Scottish Taylors have achieved success as scholars, politicians, entertainers and scientists:
- James Taylor (1758 – 1825) was born in Lanarkshire. He pioneered steam power for boats.
- Zachary Taylor (1784 – 1850) was 12th President of the United States of America.
- Sir George Taylor (1904 – 1993) was born in Edinburgh and he was a Scottish botanist.
- Elizabeth Taylor (1932 – 2011), the celebrated American film star, claimed to have Scottish ancestry.
- Jock Taylor (1954 –1982) was born in East Lothian. He was a brilliant World Champion motorcycle sidecar racer.
- James Taylor (born 1948) was born in Massachusetts. He is a famous contemporary musician who has Scottish ancestry on his father’s side … and for note, this genealogist saw him in concert in Glasgow before Covid and he was amazing!
If you are needing some help with your Taylor family history, then feel free to get in touch.
There have been many famous Taylors since originally arriving from France to becoming one of Scotland’s popular surnames. During that time, many Taylors left Scotland for a better life in North America, Australia and New Zealand. Did one of your ancestors emigrate from Scotland to the New World?
Good luck in tracking down your Taylor family history.
If you’re also looking for information on other Scottish ancestors then please check out my growing resource on Scottish surnames.
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As a proud bearer of the Taylor family surname I found your blog post really interesting. Thanks Sarah !
Thank you A proud Taylor
Thanks heaps . Can you tell us why the Taylors dont have a cheiftan? Any way I am immensly proud of my Tartan , Full Scarf . Ruth Eleanor Taylor New Zealand.
The Taylors are a sept and not clan and therefore do not have a clan chief
Thank you. proud Taylor Clan member. Truly enjoy the reading.
Thank you. The Taylors were and are remarkable
Thank you for all the interesting Taylor information. I’m a proud Taylor too, and my dad James Hart Taylor, born in Glasgow, encouraged me to be proud of my Scottish heritage. It would be great to organise an event for Taylor’s to attend.
Great idea. Here’s a blog I wrote in 2020 about organising a virtual family reunion https://www.unlockyourpast.co.uk/9-steps-to-a-successful-virtual-family-reunion/
This was a really interesting read. I am a Taylor, my late father was Stewart James Taylor. He always believed that we hailed from the Highlands, but research carried out by his youngest brother put the family hailing from Glasgow. The oddest thing we found was that after my great grandfather’s death, my grandfather took his mother’s maiden name of Urie – but then reverted to Taylor once he’d left home! Trying to trace the Urie connection is proving challenging!
Hello Hazel
At first I thought perhaps the surname Urie came from the Highlands but it turns out it is mostly from Ayrshire! I also wondered whether your grandfather was illegitimate which is why he took his mother’s maiden name, after his father’s death. Sadly we will never know the personal reasons.
Would you like me to research the Urie surname and write a blog post about it?
Sarah
Thank you for your reply Sarah. As far as I know, my grandfather’s parents were married when they had him. I think he possibly reverted to his mother’s maiden name as his father died in the street – we don’t think it was drink related, but maybe it was still shameful to my grandfather. Or there’s always the possibility that he didn’t get on with his father. I would love you to do some further research on the Urie name and do a blog about it!
thanks Hazel. I will keep looking.
I will also add Urie to my list of blogs. I will let you know when I publish my blog on the surname.
Sarah
Thank you for all your hard work and research. I look forward to the day I get to retire so I can spend more time on my family tree.
Hello Martha
Thank you for your kind comment. When you start focusing on your tree, you will not have time for anything else. This hobby is addictive but so much fun! Give me a shout if you need help 🙂
Sarah
My family is from Scotland to Belfast Ireland working for Kingan meat packing for 4 generations. Moved to Indianapolis by Kingan.
I only have a name in Scotland, Edward Taylor 1822-1913. What would it cost to go back ?
Don
Hello Don
Thanks for your comment. Unfortunately not every pre 1855 birth and baptism register are available on ScotlandsPeople database. Some have been lost and others were never written in a church record.
I’ve checked The church of Scotland, Catholic Church, and other churches and I can see that there were two Edward Taylors born in Scotland In the church of Scotland records . One was in 1820 in Troqueer With parents Robert Taylor and Jean Burnside. And the other one was in 1824 with parents Archibald Taylor and Mary Davie. this Edward had a middle name of Thornton. Sadly, neither of them were born in 1822. This makes it very challenging and I wont be able to help without further information such as a place in Scotland or a father’s occupation or sibling names. Do you know where he was married? Or who he married? This information could also be useful.
Sarah
I sent my DNA to Ancestry and totally expected to be all Irish but was surprised to find I have 27% Scottish Ancestry though my Grandmother Emma Taylor. I had always heard that she was a direct descendant of Zachery Taylor the President, but did not know they were of Scottish descent. Maybe they aren’t? Where would I go from here? I was thrilled with Scotland on a visit there in 2013 and would love to have come from those courageous people.
Hello Linda
Apologies for the late delay.
I believe former President Zachary Taylor was of Scottish descent through his paternal line.
The Taylor family originally came from the lowlands of Scotland, and like many Scots during the 17th century, they moved to Ulster (modern-day Northern Ireland). Later, in the early 18th century, Zachary Taylor’s ancestors emigrated to the American colonies, settling in Virginia.
Zachary Taylor, who served as the 12th President of the United States from 1849 until his death in 1850, was born into a prominent Virginia family. His father, Richard Taylor, was a wealthy planter and a veteran of the American Revolutionary War. The family’s Scottish roots were an integral part of their heritage, although by the time Zachary Taylor was born, they had been established in America for several generations.
I hope this helps
Sarah
My 13th great grandfather, John Taylor, came to America in 1638. He sailed here, he was from Coventry, to be the Head Joiner for Harvard University. Built the first buildings there. His gravestone is in the Old Burying Grounds on Harvard campus.
That’s an incredible piece of family history! Your ancestor’s role in building Harvard’s first buildings is a great legacy. thanks for sharing.
Sarah