Highlaws


Highlaws is a hamlet in the civil parish of Holme Abbey in Cumbria, United Kingdom. It is situated approximately two-and-a-quarter miles south-west of Abbeytown, one-and-a-half miles east of Pelutho, and one mile to the north of Aldoth. Other nearby settlements include Mawbray, four-and-a-quarter miles to the south-west, Blitterlees, three miles to the north-west, Blackdyke, two-and-a-quarter miles due north, and Foulsyke. Carlisle, Cumbria's county town, is located twenty miles to the north-east.

History and etymology

The name of Highlaws comes from the Old English hēah-hlāw, meaning "high mounds". In the past, variant spellings included Heelawes, Hielawes, Highlows, Hielows, and Hylaws.
The hamlet appears in a survey of Holm Cultram dating back to the year 1538, during the reign of
Henry VIII. There were at least thirteen families resident in Highlaws at that time.