Maitlands on the Net Clan Maitland Discussion Area Clan Maitland Contacts

• Arms: Or, a lion rampant Gules couped at all his joints of the Field, within a double tressure flory counterflory Azure.
• Crest: A lion sejant affrontée Gules, ducally crowned Proper in his dexter paw a sword Proper hilted and pommeled Or, in his sinister a fleur de lis Azure
• Tartan: Maitland
• Motto: Consilio et animis (By wisdom and courage)
• Plant Badge: Honeysuckle

On many early charters, variations of the name such as Matulant, Mautalant, and Maltalant are found. One possible translation of the name is 'As if mutilated in war'. One of the earliest recorded members of this clan was Sir Richard Matulant, who became one of the most significant barons during the reign of Alexander III when he acquired the lands of Thirleston, Blyth and Hedderwick. He later obtained Thirlestane through his marriage in 1250 to Avica, heiress to Thomas de Thirlestane.

William Maitland, who lived during the sixteenth century, managed to earn himself a place in Scottish history. He served as Secretary Lethington, confidante to Mary Queen of Scots, but later fell out of favor with her due to his part in the conspiracy to murder Mary's secretary, David Rizzio. A year later however, he was forgiven, and allowed to return to court. He was a supporter of Mary's marriage to Bothwell, but later on he banded with the nobles against the Queen at Carberry hill and fought against her forces again at the Battle of Langside. He publicly supported the coronation of the infant James VI, but was at the same time secretly communicating with Mary during her escape from Lochleven Castle. He then conspired with all those who were prepared to support the exiled queen, but he finally proclaimed a traitor by Parliament in 1571 and he died two years later. Later, in 1616, his nephew was made first Earl of Lauderdale.

Many Maitlands have been involved in the military in the past two hundred years, including General Sir Peregrine Maitland, who commanded the Foot Guards at Waterloo, Captain Frederick Maitland of the HMS Bellerophon, who accepted Napoleon's surrender, and Field Marshal Sir Henry Maitlnad-Wilson, who commanded in the Middle East during WWII. The current Earls of Lauderdale, who are descendants of William Maitland, are the hereditary bearers of the national flag of Scotland, a duty they regularly perform on State occasions.