Show ContentsLavar Surname History

The distinguished surname Lavar is derived from the Old English "laefer," and indicates a "dweller by the bulrushes or the wild iris." 1 The name is also borne by places in the county of Essex: High Laver, Little Laver, and Magdalen Laver. 2

Early Origins of the Lavar family

The surname Lavar was first found in Essex, where Eustace de Lagefara was listed in the Pipe Rolls for 1190. Later, Reginald de Laufare was listed in 1276 and John Laver was recorded in the Subsidy Rolls for Cheshire in 1327. 3

"The Lavers bear an ancient name, and are now established in Somerset and Dorset. In the 13th century Le Laverd was an Oxfordshire name, and Laver occurred in Cambridgeshire." 4

Early History of the Lavar family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Lavar research. Another 82 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1190, 1276 and 1327 are included under the topic Early Lavar History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Lavar Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Laver, Lavers, Laufer, Lauver, Lauvers, Laufers and others.

Early Notables of the Lavar family

More information is included under the topic Early Lavar Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Lavar family

Some of the first settlers of this family name or some of its variants were: John Laver and Thomas Laver, who both immigrated to America in 1685; John Laver, who settled in Virginia in 1729; Richard Laver, who came to Maryland in 1754.


Contemporary Notables of the name Lavar (post 1700) +

  • Trenton Lavar Hassell (b. 1979), American professional NBA basketball forward
  • Anthony Lavar Hanshaw (b. 1978), American Light-Heavyweight professional boxer, winner of the 1998 National Golden Gloves
  • Marcus LaVar Stroud (b. 1978), American Football defensive tackle in the NFL
  • LaVar Christensen, American Republican politician, Delegate to Republican National Convention from Utah, 2004, 2008


  1. Harrison, Henry, Surnames of the United Kingdom: A Concise Etymological Dictionary Baltimore: Geneological Publishing Company, 2013. Print
  2. Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
  3. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
  4. Guppy, Henry Brougham, Homes of Family Names in Great Britain. 1890. Print.


Houseofnames.com on Facebook