Surname Carlaw - Meaning and Origin

Carlaw: What does the surname Carlaw mean?

The surname Carlaw is of Scottish origin and is believed to be geographical, deriving from a place known as Carlow in the former county of Renfrewshire, Scotland. The name Carlow itself is thought to have Celtic roots, with "caer" meaning fort and "lugh" referring to the pagan god Lugh, thus possibly denoting "fort of Lugh." Over time, the pronunciation and spelling changed, eventually evolving into Carlaw. Family names were often derived from local geographical features or landmarks, connecting the bearer to a particular area. Thus, the Carlaw surname suggests ancestral ties to the Carlow area. It's essential to note that family name meanings can vary, as they were passed down through generations and across regions.

Carlaw: Where does the name Carlaw come from?

The surname Carlaw is of Scottish origin. It is believed to have originated from a place called Carloway on the Isle of Lewis, in the Outer Hebrides of Scotland. The name may have been topographic, for someone who lived near this location. Over time, variants of the name have evolved including Carlaway, Carlowe, Carlow, and Carlewe.

In the recent years, the distribution of the Carlaw surname is more prevalent in Scotland and other English-speaking countries, primarily in the United Kingdom and the United States. It is also found to be somewhat common in Canada and Australia. However, compared to other surnames, Carlaw continues to be quite rare, regardless of the country. In Scotland, it is most common in Ayrshire, which is located in the southwestern part of the country, continuing its historical connection with its place of origin. So, although the name can be found around the globe, its roots and highest frequency remain within Scotland.

Variations of the surname Carlaw

The surname Carlaw is of Scottish origin and is thought to be derived from the town of Carluke in South Lanarkshire, Scotland. Over the years, different spelling variants and derivations of the surname Carlaw have developed. Some of the most common include Carluke, Carlow, Carlough, Carlich, Carlake, Karlake, and Carlau.

There may be other surnames or spellings that originate from the same geographic area or possess a similar etymology to Carlaw. Surnames such as Carlyle, which is also derived from a Scottish place name, may have developed in a similar way. However, there are no direct surname variants of Carlaw.

It is also worth noting that the prevalence and distribution of surnames can change due to factors such as migration and cultural assimilation, leading to further variations in spelling and pronunciation.

Overall, Carlaw and its variants are relatively rare, making them unique identifiers of familial lineage and historical ancestry for those who bear them. The study of surname origins, known as anthroponymy, provides us interesting insights into social and cultural history, as well as personal genealogy.

Famous people with the name Carlaw

• Jack Carlaw: Former professional football player
• Emma Carlaw: Actress best known for her role of Mrs. Dankworth in the British TV Series The Royal
• David Carlaw: Scottish football player, playing with Heart of Midlothian
• Mark Carlaw: Australian film producer and director, best known for his work on 3 Acts of Murder, Smiley and Bull Sox
• Ernest Carlaw: Member of the Canadian Hockey Hall of Fame
• Stanley Carlaw: Former Australian politician who was governor of Western Australia
• Maggie Carlaw: Canadian actress and voice over artist
• David Carlaw: British composer and songwriter with the pseudonym "Dave Crombie"
• Katie Carlaw: New Zealand rower and Olympic Bronze medal winner
• Gary Carlaw: UK Footballer, played with Bolton Wanderers

Other surnames

CarlanCarland