Lawler History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Many Irish families did not fare so well within the English-ruled Ireland. Besides racial and religious discrimination, many families were renting out small tracts of farmland from absentee landowners at often unreasonable rates. Beginning in the late 18th century, moderately well off Irish families decided to emigrate to British North America or the United States in order to own their own plot of land. A radical change occurred in the 1840s, however, with the Great Potato Famine of the 1840s. Up to this point, the island's population had been increasing rapidly and a steady demand over the years for grain crops had depleted soil. Two failed crops and one poor one caused widespread disease and starvation. Thousands boarded ships looking for opportunities elsewhere. North America welcomed them as a source of cheap labor required for the many industrial and infrastructure projects underway, and as a means to quickly occupy the western regions. Research into immigration and passenger ship lists indicates that people bearing the name Lawler were among the earliest settlers to arrive in North America:

Lawler Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

• Eliza Lawler, who arrived in Virginia in 1714 [3]
• Margaret Lawler, who settled in Maryland in 1741
• Darby Lawler, who settled in Boston in 1766 along with Betsy
• William Lawler, who landed in Boston, Massachusetts in 1768 [3]

Lawler Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

• Patrick Lawler, who landed in New York, NY in 1811 [3]
• Michael Lawler, who arrived in Allegany (Allegheny) County Pennsylvania in 1840 [3]
• Edward Lawler, who landed in Allegany (Allegheny) County, Pennsylvania in 1844 [3]
• Mathew C Lawler, who landed in Mobile, Ala in 1849 [3]
• H Lawler, who landed in San Francisco, California in 1851 [3]
• ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Lawler Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century

• Elis Lawler, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1750
• Michael Lawler, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1750
• Michael Lawler, who landed in Halifax, Nova Scotia in 1752

Lawler Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

• James Lawler, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1820
• John Lawler, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1829
• William Lawler, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1829
• Thomas Lawler, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1832
• Sarah Lawler, aged 24, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick aboard the ship "Billow" in 1833
• ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Lawler Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

• Miss. Mary Lawler, Irish convict who was convicted in Tipperary, Ireland for 7 years, transported aboard the "Atlas" on 29th November 1801, arriving in New South Wales, Australia [4]
• Mr. Michael Lawler, British convict who was convicted in Middlesex, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Calcutta" in February 1803, arriving in New South Wales, Australia [5]
• Mr. Francis Lawler, Irish convict who was convicted in Cork, Ireland for life, transported aboard the "Duke of Portland" in January 1807, arriving in New South Wales, Australia [6]
• Mr. Patrick Lawler, (b. 1812), aged 24, Irish groom who was convicted in Dublin, Ireland for 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the "Earl Grey" on 27th August 1836, arriving in New South Wales, Australia, he died in 1843 [7]
• Mr. John Lawler, Jr., (b. 1812), aged 24, Irish stone cutter who was convicted in Wicklow, Ireland for life for house robbery, transported aboard the "Earl Grey" on 27th August 1836, arriving in New South Wales, Australia, he died in 1865 [7]
• ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Lawler Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

• Mr. Lawler, Australian settler travelling from Melbourne, Victoria, Australia aboard the ship "Brilliant" arriving in New Zealand in 1841 [8]
• Mrs. Lawler, Australian settler travelling from Melbourne, Victoria, Australia aboard the ship "Brilliant" arriving in New Zealand in 1841 [8]
• H C Lawler, who landed in Auckland, New Zealand in 1843
• Patrick James Lawler, aged 38, a labourer, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Maori" in 1864
• Esther Therese Lawler, aged 33, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Maori" in 1864
• ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

• Peter Augustine Lawler (1951-2017), American political scientist, Dana Professor of Government at Berry College
• Ralph Anthony Lawler (b. 1938), American television and radio voice of the National Basketball Association's Los Angeles Clippers
• Michael Kelly Lawler (1814-1882), Irish-born, American brigadier general in the United States Army in both the Mexican War and the Civil War
• Gregory Francis Lawler (b. 1955), American mathematician, best known for his work since 2000 on the Schramm-Loewner evolution
• Jerry O'Neil Lawler (b. 1949), American professional wrestler
• John Jeremiah Lawler (1862-1948), American prelate of the Roman Catholic Church, Bishop of Rapid City (1916 to 1948)
• John Arthur Lawler (b. 1912), American aeronautical engineer
• John B. Lawler, American fighter pilot and flying ace in the U.S. Army Air Forces, during World War II, credited with 11 aerial victories
• Feargal Lawler, Irish musician
• Sir Peter James Lawler OBE (1921-2017), Australian senior public servant and diplomat, Secretary of the Department of the Special Minister of State (1973-1975), Secretary of the Department of Administrative Services (1975-1983)
• ... (Another 10 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

• Lawler Family in America by Harold Henry Lawler.