The Sleigh family name is synonymous with the motor industry in Scotland. Two friends,William Lowrie Sleigh and Thomas Fraser Ross left their jobs with the Post Office to sell cycles like the "Penny Farthing". They founded The Ross and Sleigh Cycle Company in 1889.

By 1907 the company had changed its name to Rossleigh and had expanded to sell bicycles, motorbikes and cars. The company sold such classic car names as: Daimler, Lanchester, Humber, Riley, SS, Standard, Rover, Rolls-Royce, Bentley, Pontiac and Packard.

Sir William Lowrie Sleigh was awarded the family's first Royal Warrant in 1921 as Motor Engineers to His Majesty King George V. Since then several other members of the family have been honoured to be granted royal warrants.