Septs of Clan Baillie

Baillie (and Variants: Bailie, Ballie, Baille, Bailly) Surname Origin & Association: Baillie is derived from the Old French word baillie, meaning bailiff or steward. It became an occupational surname in Scotland and was later associated with the family who held the Barony of Lamington in Lanarkshire.

Historical Context: First recorded in 1311, the Baillies became established as a landed family in the Lowlands. Sir William Baillie of Hoprig was knighted and granted Lamington in 1368. His descendants spread the name throughout Scotland, including into the Highlands through alliances like that of Alexander Baillie of Dunain. The clan remains armigerous, with all variants of the Baillie name included as septs.

Bailey (and Variants: Bayley, Baily, Bailley, Baillie) Surname Origin & Association: Bailey is the Anglicized form of Baillie, common in England and Ireland. It shares the same occupational root in the term “bailiff.”

Historical Context: As Baillie families emigrated to Ireland and the colonies, the spelling often changed to Bailey. These Baileys are considered to be of Baillie descent. Irish and Ulster families with this name often trace their origins to the Scottish Baillies. Clan organizations include all such variants as septs of Clan Baillie.

References

Electric Scotland. (2011). Names and Spellings of Names Connected with Clans & Families – Baillie. Retrieved from http://electricscotland.com/webclans/spellings.htm

House of Bailey. (n.d.). About the Clan Bailey – Clan Bailey International. Retrieved 2025, March 27, from https://houseofbailey.org

ScotClans. (n.d.). Clan Baillie History. Retrieved 2025, March 27, from https://scotclans.com/blogs/clans-a2/clan-baillie-history

Scottish Society of Louisville. (n.d.). Clan Baillie. Retrieved from https://scotsoflou.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Clan-BAILLIE.pdf

Tartans.com – Baillie. (n.d.). The Clan Baillie: Surname Origins. Retrieved from http://www.tartans.com/clans/Baillie/baillie2.html

Wikipedia. (2024). Bailey (surname) – Origin and history. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bailey_(surname)

Forebears. (1890/2017). Homes of Family Names – Bailey/Baillie excerpt. Retrieved from https://forebears.io/surnames/bailey