Last Name Laing

Race and Ethnicity of people with the last name Laing

As for the ethnic identity associated with the surname Laing, it is predominantly White, according to the Decennial U.S. Census. However, there was a slight decrease in this proportion between 2000 and 2010, moving from 80.60 percent to 75.33 percent. On the other hand, those identifying as Black or African American saw an increase from 13.71 percent to 17.31 percent. Additionally, the percentage of individuals of Hispanic ethnicity also rose from 2.93 percent to 3.79 percent. Similarly, those identifying as Asian/Pacific Islander and those reporting two or more races also saw increases. The proportion of Asian/Pacific Islanders went up from 1.32 percent to 1.58 percent, while those claiming two or more races increased from 1.32 percent to 1.86 percent. There was a marginal increase in the number of individuals identifying as American Indian and Alaskan Native from 0.12 percent to 0.14 percent.

	2000	2010	Change
White	80.6%	75.33%	-6.54%
Black	13.71%	17.31%	26.26%
Hispanic	2.93%	3.79%	29.35%
Two or More Races	1.32%	1.86%	40.91%
Asian/Pacific Islander	1.32%	1.58%	19.7%
American Indian and Alaskan Native	0.12%	0.14%	16.67%

Laing ancestry composition

NomOrigine computes an ancestry breakdown for each customer. People may have ancestry from just one population or they may have ancestry from several populations. The most commonly-observed ancestry found in people with the surname Laing is British & Irish, which comprises 62.2% of all ancestry found in people with the surname. The next two most common ancestries are French & German (16.7%) and Scandinavian (4.1%). Additional ancestries include Eastern European, Italian, Nigerian, Ashkenazi Jewish, and Spanish & Portuguese.

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ANCESTRY BREAKDOWN	COMPOSITION
British & Irish	62.2%
French & German	16.7%
Scandinavian	4.1%
Other	17.0%

Your maternal lineage may be linked to Marie Antoinette

Because it is so dominant in the general European population, haplogroup H also appears quite frequently in the continent's royal houses. Marie Antoinette, an Austrian Hapsburg who married into the French royal family, inherited the haplogroup from her maternal ancestors. So did Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, whose recorded genealogy traces his female line to Bavaria. Scientists also discovered that famed 16th century astronomer Nicolaus Copernicus traced his maternal lineages to haplogroup H.

Learn more about the origin of the last name Laing

The meaning and origin of the last name Laing

The surname Laing is of Scottish origin and can trace its roots back to ancient Celtic clans. It is derived from the Gaelic word "lann" or "clann," meaning "land" or "family," respectively. In this case, it would refer to a family associated with a specific piece of land or region. Over time, the name evolved into various spellings, including Laing, Lang, and Lange. The term "laing" itself can also have other meanings in different languages. For instance, in Low German, it could refer to a person living near long grass or reeds, while in Old English, it might indicate a bush or thicket. It is worth noting that variations in spelling or pronunciation may have occurred due to regional accents, dialects, or clerical errors during official record-keeping. Today, the surname Laing can be found in different parts of the world, with a significant concentration in Scotland, particularly in the southeastern region. Many descendants of Laing families have migrated to other English-speaking countries, such as the United States, Canada, and Australia, further spreading the surname across the globe.

Geographical distribution of the last name Laing

The last name Laing has a widespread geographical distribution, with its highest concentration in Scotland and England. In Scotland, the name is most prevalent in the areas of Fife, Angus, and Aberdeenshire. In England, it is found mainly in the regions of Northumberland, Durham, and Yorkshire. However, the name has also spread to other parts of the United Kingdom, including Wales and Northern Ireland, although to a lesser extent. Outside of the UK, there are also notable populations of individuals with the last name Laing in countries such as Canada, Australia, and South Africa. These diasporic communities likely emerged through migration and the historical movement of individuals from the British Isles to the colonies during the colonial era. Overall, the geographical distribution of the last name Laing highlights the ancestral connections of individuals to various regions of the United Kingdom and the global influence of British migration throughout history.

Variants and spellings of the last name Laing

The surname Laing has various spellings and variations that have emerged over time. One common variation is Lange, which can be derived from the German and Dutch roots of the name. Other variations include Lang, Leng, Langhe, and Lainz, among others. These variations may have originated in different regions or countries, resulting in differing spellings due to linguistic and cultural influences. The surname Laing itself has Scottish origins and is predominantly associated with Scotland. It is derived from the Gaelic name "Mac Giolla Eoin," meaning "son of the servant of John." This suggests a possible connection to the given name John, which has variations like Jahn or Jan in other languages and cultures. Throughout history, individuals and families with the name Laing have migrated and settled in various parts of the world, leading to further spelling and pronunciation variations. These variations often reflect the influence of local dialects, customs, and phonetic adaptations specific to different languages and regions.

Famous people with the last name Laing

One famous individual with the last name Laing is Ronald David Laing (1927-1989), a renowned Scottish psychiatrist. Laing is best known for his revolutionary work in the field of mental health, challenging traditional psychiatric theories and practices. He questioned the medical model's approach to mental illness and emphasized the importance of understanding the individual's subjective experience and social context. Laing's influential books, such as "The Divided Self" and "Knots," promoted a more empathetic and holistic approach towards mental health treatment. Another notable figure is R. D. Laing's son, Adrian Laing, who is a well-known British anthropologist and photographer. Adrian Laing has traveled extensively, documenting indigenous cultures and exploring the relationship between human societies and their natural environments through his captivating photographs and research. Together, the Laing family has left a lasting impact on the fields of psychiatry, anthropology, and photography through their innovative and thought-provoking contributions.

Genealogical research on the last name Laing

The research on the last name Laing reveals interesting insights into its origins and history. The surname Laing is primarily associated with Scotland, particularly the regions of Fife, Angus, and Aberdeenshire. It is derived from the Gaelic name 'MacGille Laing,' meaning 'son of the servant of St. Ciarán.' The name St. Ciarán relates to an early Irish saint, and it is believed that the family settled in Scotland during the medieval period. Over time, variations of the surname emerged, including Lang, Langs, and Lainge. The Laing family has a rich heritage and has made notable contributions to various fields. They have been well-represented in academia, with many individuals attaining prominent positions in education. Additionally, Laing is also an occupational surname associated with the weaving industry. The study of genealogy helps uncover the ancestral stories behind the surname Laing, tracing its roots and providing a deeper understanding of its place within Scottish history.