Loray History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Scotland
Ireland
England

Early Origins of the Loray family

The surname Loray 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 Loray family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Loray 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 Loray History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Loray Spelling Variations

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

Early Notables of the Loray family

Notable amongst the family at this time was Sir Robert Laurie of Maxwelltown; Gawen Lawrie (died 1687), 2nd Deputy Governor of East New Jersey (1683-1686); Robert Laurie (died 1677), Church of Scotland prelate...
Another 33 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Loray Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Loray family to Ireland

Some of the Loray 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.

Loray migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Loray Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Georg Loray, who landed in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1738 4
Joh Michel Loray, who arrived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1738 4
Joh Melchior Loray, who landed in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1749 4
Conrad Loray, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1754 4
Joh Casper Loray, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1754 4

The Loray 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)
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)