Surname Lawry - Meaning and Origin
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Lawry: What does the surname Lawry mean?
The surname Lawry is believed to originate from the medieval English given name Lawrence, which is derived from the Latin Laurentius meaning "man from Laurentium." Laurentium was a city in ancient Italy known for its laurel trees – a symbol of wisdom and accomplishment in ancient Rome. Hence, the name could indirectly imply ‘wise’ or ‘accomplished’. It is also speculated that Lawry could have a Cornish origin, where it's a diminutive of the name Lawrence. The name spread across many European countries in different forms due to the popularity of St. Lawrence, a 3rd-century saint, and martyr. In the Middle Ages, it was commonly given to boys born on St. Lawrence's feast day in August. Over time, it evolved into a surname in various forms, including Lawry, Laurie, and Lawrie, among others. It is important to note that the exact meaning and origin of surnames can be uncertain and the significance can change over generations and migration paths.
Order DNA origin analysisLawry: Where does the name Lawry come from?
The surname Lawry has its origins in the British Isles, specifically England and Wales. It possibly derived from the Old English personal name "Lawrence," which means "from Laurentum," a town in Italy. However, there is also a chance that it evolved from the Welsh personal name "Llywarch," which means "lion-like."
The Lawry surname has also a strong presence in Cornwall. It reportedly has origins in the Cornish language where "Lawry" translates to "a loud crier or caller." The name was typically assigned to those working as a town crier.
Today, Lawry remains most common in England, particularly in regions where it first appeared such as Cornwall and Wales. Through immigration and dispersion over centuries, the surname has also spread to other English-speaking countries such as the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. However, regardless of its spread globally, it still remains a relatively rare surname. In the United States, for instance, the surname Lawry is not included among the top 150,000 surnames in the 2010 Census.
Variations of the surname Lawry
The surname Lawry originally comes from Cornwall in England. Possible spelling variants and closely related surnames include Lowry, Lowery, Lowrey, Laurie, Lawrie, Lourie, Lorie, and Loree. Lowry is an anglicized form of the Gaelic surname Ó Labhradha, which means "descendant of Labhradh," with Labhradh being a personal name signifying "spokesman".
Moreover, the spelling variations of these surnames were influenced by the medieval practice of spelling words according to their sounds. As a result, a single person was often referred to by several different spellings in different documents. The name has been spelled Lowry, Lowrey, Lourie, Lowrie, Lowre, Lowery and many more.
Each of these variants has been used at different times and places, and the choice may indicate something about the individual holder's origins or identity. For instance, Lawrence or Laurence might be anglicized variants stemming from Lawry, Lawrie as well. Some other less obvious variant surnames from the same genealogical origin can include Lavery, Lawer, and Larrow.
It's important to be aware of these variations when conducting genealogical research or tracing family lines, as different branches of the same family might have adopted different spellings over time or after migrating.
Famous people with the name Lawry
- Mark Lawry: Former Australian cricketer and commentator
- Tony Lawry: American Football Player for the Denver Broncos
- Anna Lawry: English actress
- Emerson Lawry: Reginal Administrator of the Sport and Recreation Industry in South Australia
- Dick Lawry: Professional golfer
- Caleb Lawry: Singer-songwriter from Australia
- Matthew Lawry: TV producer and editor
- Elizabeth Lawry: Prominent British radio journalist
- William Lawry: Award-winning London-based theatre actor and director
- Robert Lawry: New Zealand politician
- Kurt Lawry: Canadian broadcaster and media executive
- Charlotte Lawry: British author, philanthropist and member of the House of Lords
- Sid Lawry: Former British Army officer
- Peter Lawry: Award-winning journalist and author
- Steve Lawry: Emmy Award-winning American composer