Contents [hide]

Laurie History Early Origins Early History Spelling Variations Early Notables Ranking

Ireland United States Canada Australia New Zealand

Contemporary Notables Related Stories Motto Citations

Laurie History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Scotland
Ireland
England

Early Origins of the Laurie family

The surname Laurie was first found in Dumfriesshire (Gaelic: Siorrachd Dhùn Phris), a Southern area, bordering on England that today forms part of the Dumfries and Galloway Council Area. "Laurieston in the parish of Balmaghie, stewartry of Kirkcudbright takes its name from William Kennedy Laurie, Esq., proprietor of the lands on which it is built, near Lochinbren, a sheet of water abounding with trout. " 1

There are two other places named Laurieston in Scotland: an ecclesiastical district, within the jurisdiction of the city of Glasgow; and in the parish of Falkirk, county of Stirlinge village. Of the former, we can find no notes about the origin; of the latter, it was derived from "the name of Laurencetoun, of which its present appellation is a contraction." 1

"This surname is derived from the name of an ancestor. 'the son of Lawrence.' In the Lowlands and on the Borders, popularly Lowrie or Laurie, whence the many North English and Scottish variations of this name. " 2

"The name has been also explained, with still less probability; as from Scots lowrie, 'foxy'. The name of Gavin Lawrie, governor of New Jersey during the colonial period, is spelled in a letter quoted in The Haigs of Bemersyde as Lowry.' 3

"Hence 'Lowrie-like,' having the crafty look of a fox. The full name Lawrence was also applied to the fox, proving that Lowry and Lawry are the true offspring of the name." 2

Early History of the Laurie family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Laurie research. Another 118 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1640, 1653, 1669, 1671, 1677, 1683, 1686, 1687, 1755, 1770, 1771, 1773, 1774, 1775, 1776, 1779, 1820, 1827, 1836, 1839, 1861 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Laurie History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Laurie Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Lawrie, Laurie, Larrie, Larry, Laurie, Laury, Lawry, Lowrie and many more.

Early Notables of the Laurie family

Notable amongst the family at this time was

Sir Robert Laurie of Maxwelltown
Robert Laurie (died 1677), Church of Scotland prelate, Bishop of Brechin (1671-1677)

Laurie Ranking

In the United States, the name Laurie is the 11,355^th most popular surname with an estimated 2,487 people with that name. 4

Migration of the Laurie family to Ireland

Some of the Laurie family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 118 words (8 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Laurie migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Laurie Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

Gilbert Laurie, who landed in Boston, Massachusetts in 1686 5

Laurie Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

James Laurie, who arrived in America in 1802 5
Henrietta Laurie, who arrived in America in 1807 5
William Laurie, who landed in America in 1807 5
George Laurie, aged 30, who arrived in New York in 1812 5
John Laurie, aged 26, who landed in New York in 1812 5
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Laurie migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Laurie Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

Alex Laurie, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1848

Laurie migration to Australia +

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

Laurie Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Mr. Joseph Laurie, English convict who was convicted in London, England for 10 years, transported aboard the "Barossa" on 8th December 1839, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 6
Mr. William James Laurie, (b. 1821), aged 27, Cornish general labourer from Penzance, Cornwall, UK departing from Plymouth on 28th April 1848 aboard the ship "Cornwall" arriving in Port Phillip, Victoria, Australia on 11th August 1848 7
Mrs. Nanny Laurie, (b. 1826), aged 22, Cornish house servant from Penzance, Cornwall, UK departing from Plymouth on 28th April 1848 aboard the ship "Cornwall" arriving in Port Phillip, Victoria, Australia on 11th August 1848 7
Mr. William Laurie, (b. 1817), aged 32, Cornish sawyer departing from Plymouth on 10th October 1848 aboard the ship "Duchess of Northumberland" arriving in Port Phillip, Victoria, Australia on 15th January 1849 7
Mrs. Margaret Laurie, (b. 1820), aged 29, Cornish housekeeper departing from Plymouth on 10th October 1848 aboard the ship "Duchess of Northumberland" arriving in Port Phillip, Victoria, Australia on 15th January 1849 7
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Laurie 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:

Laurie Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Mary Laurie, who landed in Auckland, New Zealand in 1842 aboard the ship Duchess of Argyll
James Laurie, who landed in Auckland, New Zealand in 1842 aboard the ship Duchess of Argyll
Matthew Laurie, who landed in Auckland, New Zealand in 1842 aboard the ship Duchess of Argyll
Robert Laurie, who landed in Auckland, New Zealand in 1842 aboard the ship "Duchess of Argyll"
William Laurie, who landed in Auckland, New Zealand in 1842 aboard the ship Duchess of Argyll
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Laurie (post 1700) +

James Hugh Calum Laurie OBE (b. 1959), known as Hugh Laurie, English actor, comedian, writer and musician, nominee of a Emmy Award, recipient of two Golden Globes and two Screen Actors Guild awards, best known for his starring role in House (2004-2012)
Piper Laurie (1932-2023), American actress born as Rosetta Jacobs, known for her roles in films The Huslter (1961), Carrie (1976) and The Thorn Birds (1983)
Annie Laurie (b. 1924), American jump blues and rhythm and blues singer
Louis "Lou" Daniel Laurie (1917-2002), American bronze medalist boxer at the 1936 Summer Olympics
Jim Laurie (b. 1947), American writer, journalist, and broadcaster
Piper Laurie (b. 1932), born Rosetta Jacobs, Academy Award-nominated, Golden Globe-winning American actress
John Laurie, American politician, Candidate for U.S. Representative from Washington 1st District, 1930 8
Charles Laurie, American Republican politician, Candidate for U.S. Representative from Florida 23rd District, 2002 8
Bob Laurie, American Republican politician, Delegate to Republican National Convention from California, 2008 8
Arthur Pillans Laurie (1861-1949), Scottish chemist who pioneered the scientific analysis of paintings
... (Another 10 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

The Laurie 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: Repullulat
Motto Translation: It buds afresh.

Citations +

Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of Scotland. Institute of Historical Research, 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)
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/
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)
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 24th September 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/barossa
Cornwall Online Parish Clerks. (Retreived 3rd May 2018). Retrieved from http://www.opc-cornwall.org/Resc/pdfs/emigration_australia_victoria.pdf
The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, October 7) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html