Taylor History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Etymology of Taylor

What does the name Taylor mean?

During the Middle Ages, the surname of Taylor was used in Scotland. While the patronymic and metronymic surnames, which are derived from the name of the father and mother respectively, are the most common form of a hereditary surname in Scotland, occupational surnames also emerged during the late Middle Ages. Many people, such as the Taylor family, adopted the name of their occupation as their surname. However, an occupational name did not become a hereditary surname until the office or type of employment became hereditary. The surname Taylor was an occupational name for a tailor. Interestingly, the name Taylor was originally derived from the Anglo Norman French word taillour, meaning tailor. 1

Early Origins of the Taylor family

The surname Taylor was first found in many places throughout Scotland. Some of the early records include: Alexander le Tayllur who was valet of Alexander in 1276; John le Taillur who was held the mill of Selkirk as firmar in 1292; and Brice le Taillur who was one of the Scottish prisoners taken at the capture of Dunbar Castle in 1296. The last entry’s year is of great significance to the surname and indeed to much of Scotland; for it was that year that King Edward I invaded Scotland and insisted that the native Scots pay homage to him.

Six persons of this name in the counties of Roxburgh, Dumfries, Edinburgh, Lanark, and Angus all rendered homage, 1296. 2 They held lands in Forfar, Cesseworth, Cunningham, Lanark, and Stirling in Scotland.