The Laird's Origins in Caithness

The earliest records we have for Lairds in Caithness are church records, at Canisbay Kirk:

CANNESBAY SESSION RECORDS MAR 1652/FEB 1666
During the Ministry of William Davidson
LAIRD, ANDRO
09.53 bpt ISSOBELL : Dvd. McBEATH, Wm HARPAR in Dungasbey
10.56 bpt MARGARET: Jn DUNNETT, Wm McBEATH
06.59 bpt GILBERT: Jn ANDERSONE, MENDTHEPLAY

At that time Lairds were to be found in Thurso, Canisbay, Duncansby, Watten and Wick (Hempriggs House).

	Duncansby	Canisbay looking   inland

In "Lest we Forget", edited by Anne Houston, ISBN 0 9529167 0 3, 1996 p. 428, it is recorded that two clever, well handed Laird brothers went from John O'Groats to Clydeside and got a start in a sail and rope making business. 

My Great Aunt Jean told me that before Caithness, we were from Norway, and our ancestor was a sea captain. My father told me that our surname originally had Norwegian spelling.

We know that Freswick in Caithness (spelt on old maps as Fresweek) has connections with Fresvik in Sognefjord, but we wonder if Lærdal in Sogn may have something to do with our surname?

We are checking connections in Sognefjord with a local historian, Mr Erling Bjørnetun. We have had some encouragement in seeing that "Leir" comes up regularly in farm names in Sogn. Notable "Leirdal". Laird is sometimes spelt "Leard" in Caithness and Orkney.