 It is claimed that the Maitlands descend from one of the companions of William the Conqueror who later settled in Northumberland.The name is found on numerous early charters as Matulant, Mautalant and Maltalant.It has been suggested that it was a nickname meaning 'bad' or 'poor wit', however Alexander Nisbet gives "Quasi mutilatus in bello" which means "As if mutilated in war".