Highlaws

Highlaws is a hamlet in the civil parish of Holme Abbey in Cumbria, England. 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.^[1]

Highlaws
Farm buildings at Highlaws
Highlaws Location in Allerdale, Cumbria Show map of the former Allerdale Borough Highlaws Location within Cumbria Show map of Cumbria
OS grid reference	NY141497
Civil parish	Holme Abbey
Unitary authority	Cumberland
Ceremonial county	Cumbria
Region	North West
Country	England
Sovereign state	United Kingdom
Post town	WIGTON
Postcode district	CA7
Dialling code	016973
Police	Cumbria
Fire	Cumbria
Ambulance	North West
UK Parliament	Penrith and Solway
List of places UK England Cumbria 54.835°N 3.336°W / 54.835; -3.336

History and toponymy

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.^[2]

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.^[3]