Surname MacLawrence - Meaning and Origin
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MacLawrence: What does the surname MacLawrence mean?
The last name MacLawrence is of Scottish origin. It is derived from the Gaelic personal name Labhran which means "Laurence" and the prefix "Mac", meaning "son of". So, MacLawrence can be interpreted as "son of Laurence". In old English, the name Laurence signifies a person from the town of Laurentum, supposedly named for its laurel trees. The name also symbolizes honor and victory, as laurel leaves were used to crown victors and scholars in ancient times. Scottish surnames often were a result of Anglicization of Gaelic names, and MacLawrence is an example of that. The widespread presence of this surname is not easily traceable in historical records, potentially due to various spelling variations. But individuals with this surname can typically trace their ancestry to Scotland. Since the name Laurence is known to imply someone who is wise and intelligent, the surname MacLawrence indirectly carries the same associations.
Order DNA origin analysisMacLawrence: Where does the name MacLawrence come from?
The last name MacLawrence originates from Scotland, and is derived from the ancient Scottish given name Lawrence. The “Mac” prefix in Scottish and Irish surnames translates to “son of," so MacLawrence means 'Son of Lawrence'. The Lawrence component of the name is believed to have been adopted from the Latin name Laurentius, meaning 'man from Laurentum', an ancient Roman city. However, this name mostly spread across Europe with the fame of St. Lawrence, a 3rd-century martyr.
Presently, the surname is highly likely to have spread beyond Scotland due to migration and the passage of time, so people bearing it could be found across the UK, USA, Canada, and other countries in the world. But the name is not very common. According to the Forebears surname database, it is most prevalent in the United States, while the highest density is in Jamaica. The various spellings and anglicization of Scottish names over centuries might have created more prevalent variants of this name such as 'McLawrence'.
Variations of the surname MacLawrence
The surname MacLawrence is of Scottish origin and is derived from the personal name Lawrence. The prefix "Mac" in Scottish and Irish surnames means 'son of'. As such, MacLawrence would directly translate to 'son of Lawrence'.
However, the name can appear in many variants owing to regional differences, handwriting interpretation, and phonetic spelling among others. Some observed variations for MacLawrence include McLawrence, McLaurance, McLaurin, McLaurine, and M'Lawrence.
The name Lawrence itself also has numerous variants such as Laurance, Laurence, and Lawrance. Hence, the names MacLaurence, McLaurence, McLaurance, MacLaurance, McLarence may also be considered variants of MacLawrence.
It's also possible for the 'Mac' or 'Mc' prefixes to be dropped in some records, further creating variations such as Lawrence, Lawrance, Laurence, and Laurance.
In non-English speaking countries, the surname might also be translated or adapted to fit the language, which further increases the possible variations. For example, the name Lawrence translates to Lorenzo in Italian and Laurent in French. And these could be adapted to MacLorenzo or MacLaurent.
Note, however, that while these names are phonetically similar or may share the same origins, not all bearers of these surnames may be genealogically related.
Famous people with the name MacLawrence
- Malcolm MacLawrence: British actor best known for playing the lead role in the BBC series The Musketeers.
- Kenneth MacLawrence: Former President of the Tube and Rail Union, leading a national campaign to defend railroad workers' rights in Britain.
- Jodie MacLawrence: internationally acclaimed British-American country and folk singer and songwriter.
- Mabel MacLawrence: British sculptor and painter known for her work in the Edinburgh Arts Festival.
- Thomas MacLawrence: British novelist and children's author known for his series of books which focus on the lives of young people in the Victorian era.
- Ella MacLawrence: internationally renowned British poet and novelist, often referred to as the "First Lady of British letters".
- Pierre MacLawrence: British diplomat and former Ambassador to France. 8.Zoe MacLawrence: British actress, model, and singer who has appeared in a number of television series and films. 9.Selina MacLawrence: British sprint athlete and Olympic gold medal-winner.
- Simon MacLawrence: British stage and screen actor, well-known for his Shakespearean roles.