Allow me to unravel the tale of your family, the Taylors, a name steeped in history and rooted in a craft that has woven its influence across generations. The origin of your family’s name lies in the French term ‘tailler’, signifying the art of cutting. In the annals of Latin records, it takes on the form ‘cissor’. A tailor, the craftsman who fashions clothing with skill and precision, carries within it the essence of this name, and it has thrived across the British Isles, spanning urban centers with its presence. Your Scottish variant, Tailyour, stands as a testament to the evolution of this name, preserving a defunct letter, ‘yogh’, once common in usage. Yet, the name often journeyed towards Anglicization, aligning with the more familiar ‘Tailor’ or ‘Taylor’, with the ‘y’ stepping in for ‘i’ as was customary until the nineteenth century. The echoes of Macintaylor, ‘son of the tailor’, resonate through the ages as well.

From the earliest pages of Scottish history, your family’s name finds its place. In the tapestry of 1276, Alexander le Taillur emerges as a valet to Alexander III, the monarch whose legacy was shrouded in the shadows of power struggles. Within the royal courts, Alexander may have held responsibility for the intricate garments adorning the crown’s shoulders. However, the path of the tailor was not exclusive; your family embraced various avenues. Bryce le Taillur, a name etched in time, stood as a warrior, one of the Scottish prisoners seized in the throes of conflict during the capture of Dunbar Castle in 1296. This marked a dark chapter in history, as Edward I’s grasp reached across the Scottish landscape, reshaping its destiny.

As the Ragman Roll of the same year unrolled its scroll, six individuals of the Tailyour name, hailing from distant counties, paid homage to Edward I, a reflection of the tumultuous times that had dawned. Among the threads of fate, certain members embraced the mantle of landownership. Walter Cissor, marked by a grant from David II in 1137, stands as a testament to this transition. The path of your ancestors is interwoven with those like Donald Cissor and Bricius Cissor, witnesses to deeds etched in the annals of Inverness in 1462.

Through the corridors of time, the name Macintaileours emerged, etched into history through their association with the outlawed Clan Gregor, while Gillepatrick Tailzeour stood as sergeant of Dornoch in 1552, a position of significance in your family’s narrative. Amidst these stories, James Taylor emerges as a pioneering figure, born in Lanarkshire in 1753. His legacy, the first practical application of steam power to vessels for inland navigation, unfolded as a pioneering feat. The launch of the first paddle-wheel steamboat in 1788 at Dalswinton heralded a new era, leading to the remarkable steamers that traversed North American rivers, a legacy of Taylor’s innovative spirit.

In the tapestry of history, your family’s name has stitched together tales of craftsmanship, valor, and innovation. Through time’s embrace, your family’s story shines as a testament to resilience and progress, echoing the spirit of those who carried the legacy of the Taylor name with pride.