Lawrence History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms 

Origins Available: 
  England 


Lawrence is an ancient Anglo-Saxon name that is derived from the name Lawrence. This name is in turn derived from the Latin name Laurentius, which literally means man from Laurentium, a town in Italy named for its laurels or bay trees. The popularity of this name in medieval Europe is due to the exploits of a saint who was martyred at Rome in the 3rd century.

Early Origins of the Lawrence family

The surname Lawrence was first found in Lancashire at Yealand-Redmayne, a township, in the parish of Warton, union of Lancaster, hundred of Lonsdale south of the Sands. "Yealand Hall, an ancient dwelling at Yealand-Storrs in the township, seems to have been possessed in the reign of Henry VIII. by the family of Lawrence, who held the manor of "Yeland-Redmayn" as of the manor of Warton." 1

Early History of the Lawrence family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Lawrence research. Another 103 words (7 lines of text) covering the years 1150, 1252, 1598, 1614, 1618, 1635, 1657, 1664, 1665, 1672, 1674, 1691, 1692 and 1699 are included under the topic Early Lawrence History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Lawrence Spelling Variations

Lawrence has been spelled many different ways. Before English spelling became standardized over the last few hundred years, spelling variations in names were a common occurrence. As the English language changed in the Middle Ages, absorbing pieces of Latin and French, as well as other languages, the spelling of people's names also changed considerably, even over a single lifetime. Many variations of the name Lawrence have been found, including Lawrence, Laurence, Lawerence, Lawrance and many more.

Early Notables of the Lawrence family

Notables of this surname at this time include:

Lawrence World Ranking

In the United States, the name Lawrence is the 192nd most popular surname with an estimated 129,324 people with that name. 2 However, in Canada, the name Lawrence is ranked the 262nd most popular surname with an estimated 15,856 people with that name. 3 And in Newfoundland, Canada, the name Lawrence is the 256th popular surname with an estimated 173 people with that name. 4 Australia ranks Lawrence as 152nd with 19,435 people. 5 New Zealand ranks Lawrence as 123rd with 3,682 people. 6 The United Kingdom ranks Lawrence as 130th with 38,776 people. 7 South Africa ranks Lawrence as 640th with 10,812 people. 8


Lawrence migration to the United States +

In an attempt to escape the chaos experienced in England, many English families boarded overcrowded and diseased ships sailing for the shores of North America and other British colonies. Those families hardy enough, and lucky enough, to make the passage intact were rewarded with land and a social environment less prone to religious and political persecution. Many of these families became important contributors to the young colonies in which they settled. Early immigration and passenger lists have documented some of the first Lawrences to arrive on North American shores:

Lawrence Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
Lawrence Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
Lawrence Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Lawrence migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Lawrence Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century
Lawrence Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

Lawrence migration to Australia +

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

Lawrence Settlers in Australia in the 18th Century
Lawrence Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Lawrence 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:

Lawrence Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
Lawrence Settlers in New Zealand in the 20th Century

Lawrence migration to West Indies +

The British first settled the British West Indies around 1604. They made many attempts but failed in some to establish settlements on the Islands including Saint Lucia and Grenada. By 1627 they had managed to establish settlements on St. Kitts (St. Christopher) and Barbados, but by 1641 the Spanish had moved in and destroyed some of these including those at Providence Island. The British continued to expand the settlements including setting the First Federation in the British West Indies by 1674; some of the islands include Barbados, Bermuda, Cayman Island, Turks and Caicos, Jamaica and Belize then known as British Honduras. By the 1960's many of the islands became independent after the West Indies Federation which existed from 1958 to 1962 failed due to internal political conflicts. After this a number of Eastern Caribbean islands formed a free association. 17
Lawrence Settlers in West Indies in the 17th Century

Contemporary Notables of the name Lawrence (post 1700) +


Suggested Readings for the name Lawrence +
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