Lawell History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Ireland

The Lawell surname is derived from the Norman French word "lou," meaning "wolf," with the diminutive suffix "el." 1 2

Early Origins of the Lawell family

The surname Lawell was first found in Somerset. Robert, Lord of Breherval and Yvery in Normandy is regarded as the progenitor of this family. His father was Eudes, sovereign Duke of Brittany. His is listed in the Roll of Battle Abbey and received from the Conqueror a grant of the Lordships of Kary and Harpetre, in the county of Somerset. He eventually returned to his native Duchy and died a monk in the abbey of Bec, leaving three sons. The eldest, one Ascelin Gouel de Perceval succeeded his father as Lord of Breherval. As a violent man, he acquired the surname "Lupus." In turn his son was surnamed "Lupellus," or little wolf which was softened to "luvel." He had five sons; one of which was Henry, ancestor of Lords Lovel of Kary. 3

The Lovels of Tichmersh who had summons to Parliament in 1297 were a baronial family of considerable distinction. By example, Sir Richard Lovel was summoned to Parliament from 1348-1350.

The Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 had only three entries for the family: Lovel le Clerc, Essex; Caterina Lovel, Oxfordshire; and Lovel (without surname), Surrey. 4

Early History of the Lawell family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Lawell research. Another 106 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1454, 1483, 1487, 1631, 1709, 1713, 1737 and 1788 are included under the topic Early Lawell History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Lawell Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Lovell, Lowell, Lovel, Leavell, Lowles and others.

Early Notables of the Lawell family

Notable among the family at this time was Francis Lovell, (1454-c. 1487), friend and supporter of Richard III, made Viscount Lovell on January 4th 1483; he...
Another 26 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Lawell Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Lawell family to Ireland

Some of the Lawell family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 31 words (2 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Lawell migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Lawell Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Fred K Lawell, who arrived in Michigan in 1865 5

Citations +

Harrison, Henry, Surnames of the United Kingdom: A Concise Etymological Dictionary Baltimore: Geneological Publishing Company, 2013. Print
Smith, Eldson Coles, New Dictionary of American Family Names New York: Harper & Row, 1956. Print
Burke, John Bernard, The Roll of Battle Abbey. London: Edward Churton, 26, Holles Street, 1848, Print.
Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)