Derived from the old english 'haga' or enclosure, the Haigs first appeared in the Scottish borders in the 12th century. From 1412, the family of Haig was associated with Bemersyde near Newtown St. Boswells. The Haigs of Bemersyde died out in 1857, but the estate was later gifted by a grateful nation to Field-Marshal Earl Haig.
The name Haig also appears in Fife and Kinross, and in particular is associated with the family producing a noted brand of Scotch Whisky, distilled at Cameron Bridge.