Surname Laverty - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'L'
Laverty: What does the surname Laverty mean?
The last name Laverty is a surname of Irish origin that can be found primarily in Ulster. The name was derived from "Lamh-Fhada," an Irish term meaning "Long Hand." This was a reference to the shape of the hand when extended for a handshake. It is believed that the original bearers of the Laverty name may have been warriors from Ulster who had a tendency to lift their arms while doing battle.
The Laverty name is very prominent in Ulster and is mostly concentrated in the counties of Antrim, Down, and Londonderry. Over time, several variants of the Laverty surname evolved, including Laverty, Lafferty, and Lavery. The spelling of this last name also changed as time passed, and names such as Laverty and Laverty were also used.
Today, the Laverty name can be found all over the world. It is a proud name for the descendants of these warriors from Ulster. The Lavertys will continue to be remembered for their courage and bravery. Laverty families are known for having strong values and for their commitment to family and their communities.
Order DNA origin analysisLaverty: Where does the name Laverty come from?
The Laverty surname is most commonly found in Ireland, having been found in Ulster since the 16th century. It is particularly associated with County Tyrone in the province of Ulster.
The surname is also found in Scotland, with an influx of immigrants coming to Scotland from Ireland during the 19th century. In 1800, only 21 of the 1681 people living in the town of Kilwinning bore the Laverty surname. A century later, 257 of the 15,120 people there were recorded with the Laverty surname.
The surname is also found in great numbers in the United States today. The US Census of 2000 recorded 10,037 people with the Laverty surname in the country.
In Canada, the Laverty surname is found in small numbers. The 2016 Census recorded 416 people sharing this surname in the country.
In Australia, the 2016 Census recorded 75 people with the surname Laverty living in the country.
A search of the phone books of many countries reveals that the Laverty surname is widely scattered across the globe, with large numbers in Ireland, Scotland, the United States, and Canada, but smaller numbers in Australia, South Africa, England and many other countries.
Variations of the surname Laverty
The surname Laverty, also known by other variants such as Lafferty, Laughret, Lavery, and Laverty, is a Northern Irish surname of Gaelic origin. It is derived from the Irish forename Laverty, which is composed of two elements. The first is 'Lacht', which means 'shapely' or 'graceful', and the second is 'fert', which means 'man' or 'person'. This combination of words results in a literal translation of the surname as 'graceful man'.
Initially, the surname Laverty was associated with County Donegal, in Ulster, where it is still particularly prominent. However, in the 19th century, members of the Laverty family migrated to the United States and Canada, with several branches eventually settling in Canada.
The spelling of the surname has altered over time, with records showing a number of variants. Examples of such spellings include Lavery, Lafferty and Laverty. Some records show the surname Laverty as Laughret, an incorrect spelling apparently adopted by families anglicising their names when embarking on emigration from Ireland to America. Another variant, Laughren, has been documented in records across the United States and abroad.
Ultimately, Laverty is an uncommon Irish surname with a rich history. It is also a patronymic surname, meaning that one’s last name can be associated with one’s father’s name, a reference to the Irish notion of 'coining a new sirname every generation'. As such, Laverty can be seen as a name of a deep-rooted history that still continues to serve important functions in naming conventions today.
Famous people with the name Laverty
- Peter Laverty: Canadian lawyer and former politician.
- John Laverty: Irish solicitor, politician, and lord mayor of Belfast.
- Patti Laverty: actress, model, and social media influencer.
- Carolyn Laverty: English actress.
- William Laverty: British architect and conservationist.
- Leighton Laverty: Canadian diver, won two medals at the Commonwealth Games.
- Jim Laverty: Scottish footballer.
- Dan Laverty: Scottish professional cyclist.
- Sebastian Laverty: Irish european sprinter-track athlete.
- Robert Laverty: American television and film actor.
- Graeme Laverty: Australian botanist, conservationist, and ecologist.
- Tamsin Laverty: Australian model and actress.
- Michael Laverty: British motorcycle racer and team manager.
- Mick Laverty: English songwriter, producer, and actor.
- Terel Laverty: Canadian women's ice-hockey player.
- Andrew Laverty: Canadian actor and television presenter.
- Connor Laverty: American actor, writer, and director.
- Marshal Laverty: Australian rugby player.
- Kate Laverty: Scottish actress, formed part of the first women's Company at the National Theatre.
- Gary Laverty: Irish footballer.