Taylor History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

During the Middle Ages, the surname of Taylor was used in Scotland. While the patronymicand 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, occupationalsurnames 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, andAngus all rendered homage, 1296. [2] They held lands in Forfar, Cesseworth, Cunningham, Lanark, and Stirling in Scotland.

Early History of the Taylor family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Taylor research.

Taylor Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Taylor, Taylour, Taylur, Tailler, Taillefer and many more.

Early Notables of the Taylor family (pre 1700)

Notable among the family at this time was Edward Taylor (1645-1729), who was hailed as the finest American poet of the 17th century upon the publication of his work in 1920.

Taylor World Ranking

In the United States, the name Taylor is the 10^th most popular surname with an estimated 773,457 people with that name. [3] However, in Canada, the name Taylor is ranked the 11^stmost popular surname with an estimated 71,525 people with that name. [4] And in Quebec, Canada, the name Taylor is the 697^th popular surname. [5] Newfoundland, Canada ranks Taylor as 18^th with 839 people. [6] France ranks Taylor as 6,320^th with 1,000 – 1,500 people. [7]Australia ranks Taylor as 6^th with 89,433 people. [8] New Zealand ranks Taylor as 5^th with 8,048 people. [9] The United Kingdom ranks Taylor as 4^th with 262,832 people. [10] South Africa ranks Taylor as 402^nd with 17,769 people. [11]

 Migration of the Taylor family to Ireland

Some of the Taylor family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.

 Taylor migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were: 

Taylor Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

• James Taylor, who emigrated Dumfries to Virginia in the 1600’s
• Richard Taylor, aged 50, who arrived in Jamestown, VA in 1608 aboard the ship “Mary & Margaret” [12]
• Mr. John Taylor, aged 34, who arrived in Virginia in 1610 aboard the ship “Swan” [13]
• Miss Rebecca Taylor, aged 22, who arrived in Virginia in 1623 aboard the ship “Margaret & John” [13]
• Child Taylor, (no 1st name), who arrived in Salem, Massachusetts in 1630 aboard the ship “Ambrose” as part of the Winthrop Fleet, bound for Boston.

Taylor Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

• Cath Taylor, who arrived in Virginia in 1714 [14]
• Agnes Taylor, who was recorded in South Carolina in 1768
• Michael Thomas Taylor, who arrived in Maryland in 1773

Taylor Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

• Andrew Taylor, aged 27, who arrived in New York, NY in 1803 [14]
• Ann Taylor, who landed in America in 1804 [14]
• David Taylor, aged 30, who landed in New York in 1812 [14]
• Archibald Taylor, aged 30, who arrived in New York in 1812-1813 [14]
• Alexander Taylor, aged 34, who arrived in New York in 1812 [14]

 Taylor migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were: 

Taylor Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century

• Mrs. Mary Taylor U.E. who arrived at Port Roseway, [Shelburne], Nova Scotia on December 13, 1783 was passenger number 514 aboard the ship “HMS Clinton”, picked up on November 14, 1783 at East River, New York, USA [15]
• Miss. Catherine Taylor D.U.E. who arrived at Port Roseway, [Shelburne], Nova Scotia on December 13, 1783 was passenger number 610 aboard the ship “HMS Clinton”, picked up on November 14, 1783 at East River, New York, USA [15]
• Miss. Rebecca Taylor D.U.E. who arrived at Port Roseway, [Shelburne], Nova Scotia on December 13, 1783 was passenger number 611 aboard the ship “HMS Clinton”, picked up on November 14, 1783 at East River, New York, USA [15]
• Mr. Matthew Taylor U.E. who settled in Saint John, New Brunswick c. 1784 he became a Freeman in 1785 was a Ship-Carpenter [15]
• Mr. John Taylor U.E. who settled in Saint John, New Brunswick c. 1784 he became a Freeman in 1785 [15]