The Maclaurin family was involved in the Britannia metal and electro-plate trade.  John Maclaurin (1810-1893) had been born in Rotherham, and by 1851 was working in Sheffield as a journeyman Britannia metal smith.  He had eight sons recorded in the 1851 Census.  He died in Monmouth Street on 22 December 1893, leaving £100.  By then, several Maclaurin enterprises had appeared:

• John Maclaurin & Sons: Britannia and electro-plate manufacturer, based in Bowden Street, which was launched by 1868.  Within two years, John had apparently retired after his sons had joined the business.  These included John (d. 27 August 1876, aged 36), Samuel, Henry, and George.  In 1871, the firm employed five workers, when it apparently ceased trading.   John Sen. later became an insurance agent and collector.

• Wolstenholme & Maclaurin: this Britannia and electro-plate manufacturer was formed in about 1870 by Wilfred Wolstenholme and Henry and George Maclaurin (John Maclaurin’s sons).  This partnership was dissolved in 1874.

• Maclaurin Bros: formed after the dissolution of Wolstenholme & Maclaurin, this involved Henry, George, and Samuel.  In 1881, Henry told the Census that he employed sixteen workers (three men, four women, four girls, and five boys).   George withdrew in June 1881.   Henry died on 29 September 1881 Henry died, aged 45, at 381 Shoreham Street.  He left £356.   Samuel remained as partner until 1898.  Maclaurin Bros continued in Sidney Street until about the mid-1920s.  The last partner was James Maclaurin, who was Henry’s son.   James, of Strathearn, Canterbury Avenue, Fulwood, died on 10 January 1936, aged 74, leaving £32,038.  He had been a prominent Temperance and religious worker (Methodist New Connexion).

• George Maclaurin & Son: based at Matilda Works, Matilda Street, and probably launched in 1881 (the foundation date 1862 cited in advertisements may refer to the start of John Maclaurin).  The senior partner was John’s son, George Maclaurin (1838-1889).  He died at Sharrow Street on 13 January 1889, aged 50.  He had scratched his hand on a rusty nail sticking out of a shutter, when he was walking a few days earlier in Manchester.  He died from blood poisoning (Sheffield Daily Telegraph, 17 January 1889).  He was buried in the General Cemetery, leaving £2,218.   His son, Herbert, took over the business until 1923.  The last address was Sylvester Street.

• Samuel Maclaurin & Co: launched at Rockingham Street in about 1899 by Samuel, the son of John.  In 1900, it apparently became the only Maclaurin firm to register a silver mark.  Samuel lived in South View Road and continued the business until his death on 5 March 1917, aged 67.  He was buried in an unconsecrated grave in the General Cemetery, leaving £2,149.