This surname is derived from a geographical locality. 'of Lothian' a Scottish surname that has crept across the Border. Lothian is a district on the south side of the Forth, including the counties of Haddington, Edinburgh, and Linlithgow.

Ranulph de Louthiane, Northumberland, 1273. Hundred Rolls.

1791. Married — Robert Lowthian and Mary Bodimeade: St. George, Hanover Square.

This surname formerly not uncommon in northwest Perthshire, appears in Gaelic as Loudin, an adaptation of the vernacular Scots pronunciation. John de Loudonia was custumar of Berwick, 1327 (ER., I, p. 80). Patrick Louthyan was burgess of Linlithgow, 1445, and William of Louthiane was witness there, 1472 (Sc. Ant,, XVII, p. 116,118). John of Lowthiane, chaplain in Brechin, 1457, is mentioned in 1476 as John Lowdaine (REB., I, 184,198). John Lowdyan was tenant of Balgreschach, 1467 (Cupar-Angus, I, p. 149), and another John of Lowdiane was tenant of Auchloch in 1520 (Rental). Wylzem of Lowheane was assizer on lands of Gowane (Govan), 1527 (Pollok. I, p. 258), Walter Lodoune, witness in Linlithgow, 1536 (Johnsoun), and in 1546 Robert Lowdean was member of council of Stirling 'for tailyouris' (SBR., p. 277) William Lowthyane held land in Nether Carmyile, 1552 (Protocols, I), William Lowthiane was portioner of Arlarie, 1642 (Retours, Kinross, 12), William Lotheane was in Auchinairne, 1647 (Inquis., 3388), and Mr. John Lothian was minister of the word of God in the church of Levingstoun, 1665 (Retours, Lanark, 295). Ten of the name, some spelled Louchtheane, are in Dunblane Commissariot Record. "Tradition claims that the surname Lothian, at one time quite common in Glenlyon, originated from a Covenanter who came from East Lothian during the persecution and settled in Glenlyon. His original name has not come down to us, but the people of the Glen called him Loudach or the Lothian man, and his descendants are said to have adopted this name and so were called Lothians" (Stewart, A Highland parish, p. 213—14). This tradition is erroneous, as the name appears in the neighborhood much earlier. Lauthiane 1639, Lothean 1546, Loudian 1692, Loudiane 1473, Loudyan 1460, Loutheane 1674, Lowdeane 1549, Lowthiane 1625, Lowthyane 1549.

The district on the south side of the frith of Forth, which includes the counties of Haddington, Edinburgh, and Linlithgow.