Contents [hide]

Lawson History Early Origins Early History Spelling Variations Early Notables World Ranking

Ireland United States Canada Australia New Zealand

Contemporary Notables Historic Events Related Stories Motto Suggested Reading Citations

Lawson History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Scotland/England
England
Ireland
Scotland

The Lawson family name is linked to the ancient Anglo-Saxon culture of Britain. Their name comes from the baptismal name Law, which was a short form of Lawrence. 1 Baptismal names are a form of patronymic surnames, and come from religious and vernacular naming traditions. In this case, the surname Lawson was originally derived from the given name of the father of the bearer.

Early Origins of the Lawson family

The surname Lawson was first found in Yorkshire where some of the first records of the family were found in the Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379: Willelmus Lauson, Henricus Laweson and Agnes Law-wyf. 2 "The patriarch of the family was John Lawson, who temp. Henry II. was lord of Fawlesgrave, Yorkshire and from him the existing Baronet is lineally descended." 3

Further to the north in Scotland, the name was also patronymic denoting "son of Lawrence." Early records include: "Richard Laurence of Byker of Lanarkshire who rendered homage to King Edward I in 1296; Richard Lawson, who was canon of St. Giles, Edinburgh, and laird of Grothill in 1370; John Lawson de Lyntoun, a tenant under Douglas in Linton in 1376; and Ady Lawsoun, a forestaller in Aberdeen in 1402. 4

Early History of the Lawson family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Lawson research. Another 171 words (12 lines of text) covering the years 1554, 1576, 1610, 1615, 1630, 1659, 1660, 1661, 1664, 1665, 1674, 1679, 1688, 1691, 1711 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Lawson History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Lawson Spelling Variations

Until the dictionary, an invention of only the last few hundred years, the English language lacked any comprehensive system of spelling rules. Consequently, spelling variations in names are frequently found in early Anglo-Saxon and later Anglo-Norman documents. One person's name was often spelled several different ways over a lifetime. The recorded variations of Lawson include Lawson, Laweson and others.

Early Notables of the Lawson family

Notables of this surname at this time include:

Sir Wilfred Lawson
Sir John Lawson (ca. 1615-1665), English Naval Officer
Sir Wilfrid Lawson, 1st Baronet, of Isel (c 1610-1688) was an English landowner and politician, Member of Parliament for Cumberland (1659-1661) and Cumberland (1660-1679)
Thomas Lawson (1630-1691), an English botanist and Quaker

Lawson World Ranking

In the United States, the name Lawson is the 200^th most popular surname with an estimated 126,837 people with that name. 5 However, in Canada, the name Lawson is ranked the 539^th most popular surname with an estimated 9,149 people with that name. 6 And in Australia, the name Lawson is the 233^rd popular surname with an estimated 14,644 people with that name. 7 New Zealand ranks Lawson as 228^th with 2,552 people. 8 The United Kingdom ranks Lawson as 244^th with 24,500 people. 9

Migration of the Lawson family to Ireland

Some of the Lawson family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 59 words (4 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Lawson migration to the United States +

Thousands of English families boarded ships sailing to the New World in the hope of escaping the unrest found in England at this time. Although the search for opportunity and freedom from persecution abroad took the lives of many because of the cramped conditions and unsanitary nature of the vessels, the opportunity perceived in the growing colonies of North America beckoned. Many of the settlers who survived the journey went on to make important contributions to the transplanted cultures of their adopted countries. The Lawson were among these contributors, for they have been located in early North American records:

Lawson Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

Thomas Lawson, who arrived in Virginia in 1622 10
Chri Lawson, who arrived in Jamestown, Va in 1624 10
Alice Lawson, who arrived in Virginia in 1635 10
Mr. Henry Lawson who arrived in Salem, Massachusetts in 1630 aboard the ship "Ambrose" as part of the Winthrop Fleet 11
Hugh Lawson, who arrived in Virginia in 1636 10
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Lawson Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Mary Lawson, who arrived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1700 10
Margaret Lawson, who landed in Virginia in 1702 10
John Lawson, who landed in Virginia in 1703 10
Rota Lawson, who landed in Virginia in 1703 10
Abraham Lawson, who arrived in Virginia in 1705 10
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Lawson Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

George Lawson, who arrived in Allegany (Allegheny) County, Pennsylvania in 1807 10
Hugh Lawson, who landed in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1812 10
Isabella Lawson, who landed in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1812 10
James Lawson, aged 33, who landed in North Carolina in 1812 10
Andrew Lawson, aged 26, who landed in Tennessee in 1812 10
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Lawson migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Lawson Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century

William Lawson, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1749-1752
John Lawson, who arrived in Quebec in 1784
Ms. Elizabeth Lawson U.E. who settled in Carleton [Saint John West], New Brunswick, Canada c. 1784 she died in 1803 12
Ms. Elizabeth Lawson U.E. who settled in Carleton [Saint John West], New Brunswick, Canada c. 1784 12
Mr. John Lawson U.E. who settled in Carleton [Saint John West], New Brunswick, Canada c. 1784 12
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Lawson Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

Matthew Lawson, who landed in Canada in 1830
James Lawson, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick aboard the ship "Ranger" in 1834
Jennett Lawson, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1835
Peter Lawson, who landed in Canada in 1840
Mrs. Catherine Lawson, aged 60 who immigrated to Canada, arriving at the Grosse Isle Quarantine Station in Quebec aboard the ship "Agnes" departing from the port of Cork, Ireland but died on Grosse Isle in June 1847 13
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Lawson migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Lawson Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Mr. John Lawson, Scottish convict who was convicted in Edinburgh, Scotland for 14 years, transported aboard the "Eliza" on 13th July 1822, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 14
Alexander Lawson, a joiner, who arrived in New South Wales, Australia sometime between 1825 and 1832
Mr. James Lawson, (Wilson), Scottish convict who was convicted in Aberdeen, Scotland for 7 years, transported aboard the "Burrell" on 22nd July 1830, arriving in New South Wales 15
Miss Ann Lawson, (Gate), Scottish convict who was convicted in Edinburgh, Scotland for 7 years, transported aboard the "Buffalo" on 4th May 1833, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 16
Mr. Daniel Lawson, British convict who was convicted in Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada for 7 years, transported aboard the "Eden" on 27th August 1836, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 17
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Lawson migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Lawson Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Robert Lawson, who landed in Bay of Islands, New Zealand in 1836
John Lawson, who landed in Auckland, New Zealand in 1840
Joseph Lawson, who landed in Wellington, New Zealand in 1840
Robert Lawson, aged 29, a gardener, who arrived in Port Nicholson aboard the ship "Gertrude" in 1841 18
Susannah Lawson, aged 29, who arrived in Port Nicholson aboard the ship "Gertrude" in 1841 18
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Lawson Settlers in New Zealand in the 20th Century

Thomas Lawson, aged 36, a miner, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "S. S. Waimana" in 1926
Winifred Lawson, aged 9, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "S. S. Waimana" in 1926
Norman Lawson, aged 6, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "S. S. Waimana" in 1926

Contemporary Notables of the name Lawson (post 1700) +

Roger Hugh Lawson Jr. (1941-2024), American jurist, Senior Judge of the United States District Court for the Middle District of Georgia (2008-2024)
Lee Lawson (1941-2022), American actress, best known for her roles in Guiding Light (1952), Kojak (1973) and One Life to Live (1968)
Janet Lawson (1940-2021), born Janet Ann Polun, American jazz singer and educator from Baltimore, Maryland
Andrew Cowper Lawson (1861-1952), American professor of geology at the University of California, Berkeley
Alfred William Lawson (1869-1954), American professional baseball player, pioneer in the aircraft industry, founder of the Lawson Airplane Company, creator of Lawsonomy, an early health practice that included vegetarianism
Brigadier-General Laurence Augustus Lawson (1896-1951), American Commandant of the Army Air Force Training School (1942-1945) 19
Eddie Lawson (b. 1958), American former four-time Grand Prix motorcycle racing World Champion
Ernest Lawson, American/Canadian painter and a member of The Eight
John Howard Lawson (1894-1977), American writer
Frederick Ian Allison Lawson (1939-2024), English professional footballer
... (Another 15 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Historic Events for the Lawson family +

HMAS Sydney II

Mr. James Neil Lawson (1920-1941), Australian Supply Assistant from Sunshine, Victoria, Australia, who sailed into battle aboard HMAS Sydney II and died in the sinking 20

HMS Hood

Mr. Jack Lawson (b. 1920), English Cook (S) serving for the Royal Navy from Leeds, Yorkshire, England, who sailed into battle and died in the HMS Hood sinking 21

HMS Prince of Wales

Mr. Harold Fergusson Lawson, British Commander, who sailed into battle on the HMS Prince of Wales (1941) and died in the sinking 22
Mr. Cecil Graham Lawson, British Lieutenant Commander, who sailed into battle on the HMS Prince of Wales (1941) and died in the sinking 22

RMS Lusitania

Mr. Percy Lawson, English First Waiter from England, who worked aboard the RMS Lusitania (1915) and survived the sinking 23
Mr. Thomas Lawson, English Trimmer from England, who worked aboard the RMS Lusitania (1915) and survived the sinking 23

St. Francis Dam

Mr. Andrew Lawson, American resident in Santa Clarita killed when the St. Francis Dam failed and flooded the area in 1928

USS Arizona

Mr. James L. Lawson, American Gunner's Mate Third Class working aboard the ship "USS Arizona" when she sunk during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on 7th December 1941, he survived the sinking 24
Mr. Leonard G. Lawson, American Seaman First Class working aboard the ship "USS Arizona" when she sunk during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on 7th December 1941, he survived the sinking 24

Victoria steamboat disaster

Elosia Lawson, Canadian passenger who was killed in the Victoria steamboat disaster when the boat capsized in 1881

The Lawson Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Leve et reluis
Motto Translation: Arise and re-illumine.

Citations +

Arthur, William , An Etymological Dictionary of Family and Christian Names. London: 1857. 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)
Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
Black, George F., The Surnames of Scotland Their Origin, Meaning and History. New York: New York Public Library, 1946. Print. (ISBN 0-87104-172-3)
"What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
"Surnames Meanings, Origins & Distribution Maps - Forebears." Forebears, https://forebears.io/surnames
"Most Common Last Names in Australia." Forebears, https://forebears.io/australia/surnames
"Most Common Last Names in New Zealand." Forebears, https://forebears.io/new-zealand/surnames
"UK surname ranking." UK Surname map, https://www.surnamemap.eu/unitedkingdom/surnames_ranking.php?p=10
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)
Pilgrim Ship's of 1600's. Retrieved January 6th 2023 from https://www.packrat-pro.com/ships/shiplist.htm
Rubincam, Milton. The Old United Empire Loyalists List. Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc, 1976. (Originally published as; United Empire Loyalists. The Centennial of the Settlement of Upper Canada. Rose Publishing Company, 1885.) ISBN 0-8063-0331-X
Charbonneau, André, and Doris Drolet-Dubé. A Register of Deceased Persons at Sea and on Grosse Île in 1847. The Minister of Canadian Heritage, 1997. ISBN: 0-660-198/1-1997E (p. 39)
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 15th February 2022). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/eliza
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 5th November 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/burrell
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 3rd November 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/buffalo
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 20th October 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/eden
New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 12th December 2018). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
Generals of World War II. (Retrieved 2012, April 2) Laurence Lawson. Retrieved from http://generals.dk/general/Lawson/Laurence_Augustus/USA.html
HMAS Sydney II, Finding Sydney Foundation - Roll of Honour. (Retrieved 2014, April 24) . Retrieved from http://www.findingsydney.com/roll.asp
H.M.S. Hood Association-Battle Cruiser Hood: Crew Information - H.M.S. Hood Rolls of Honour, Men Lost in the Sinking of H.M.S. Hood, 24th May 1941. (Retrieved 2016, July 15) . Retrieved from http://www.hmshood.com/crew/memorial/roh_24may41.htm
HMS Prince of Wales Crew members. (Retrieved 2014, April 9) . Retrieved from http://www.forcez-survivors.org.uk/biographies/listprincecrew.html
Lusitania Passenger List - The Lusitania Resource. (Retrieved 2014, March 6) . Retrieved from http://www.rmslusitania.info/lusitania-passenger-list/
Pearl Harbour: USS Arizona Casualties List Pearl Harbour December 7, 1941. (Retrieved 2018, July 31st). Retrieved from http://pearl-harbor.com/arizona/casualtylist.html