Show ContentsLary History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Early Origins of the Lary family

The surname Lary 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 Lary family

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

Lary Spelling Variations

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

Early Notables of the Lary family

Notable amongst the family at this time was Gawen Lawrie (died 1687), English-born of Scottish ancestry, American politician. He was 2nd Deputy Governor of East New Jersey (1683-1686). Robert Laurie (died 1677), was a Church of...
Another 35 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Lary Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Lary Ranking

In the United States, the name Lary is the 14,265th most popular surname with an estimated 2,487 people with that name. 4

Migration of the Lary family to Ireland

Some of the Lary 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.


Lary migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Lary Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
  • Richard Lary, who landed in Virginia in 1635 5
Lary Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Benjamin Lary, who landed in New York, NY in 1811 5
  • John B Lary, who arrived in Savanna(h), Georgia in 1818 5
  • Henry B Lary, who arrived in Texas in 1835 5
  • Samuel Lary, who arrived in Texas in 1835 5
  • John Lary, who landed in Tippecanoe County, Ind in 1839 5
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Lary migration to Australia +

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

Lary Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • Margaret Lary, aged 34, a servant, who arrived in South Australia in 1852 aboard the ship "Amazon" 6
  • Mary Lary, aged 22, who arrived in South Australia in 1852 aboard the ship "Amazon" 6

Contemporary Notables of the name Lary (post 1700) +

  • Frank Strong Lary (1930-2017), American Major League Baseball pitcher who played from 1954 to 1965, selected to the American League All-Star team in 1960 and 1961 and won the Gold Glove Award in 1961, younger brother of Al Lary
  • Robert Yale Lary (1930-2017), American NFL football player who played from 1952 to 1964 for the Detroit Lions, inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1979
  • David Lary (b. 1965), American atmospheric scientist, author of AutoChem, NASA release software that has won five NASA awards
  • Lynford Hobart "Lyn" Lary (1906-1973), American Major League Baseball shortstop who played from 1929 to 1940
  • Alfred Allen "Al" Lary (1928-2001), American Major League Baseball pitcher who played from 1954 to 1962 for the Chicago Cubs, older brother of Frank Lary
  • Broadway Lary (1906-1973), American baseball player
  • S. D. Lary, American politician, Mayor of Texarkana, Texas, 1891-94 7


The Lary 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.


  1. Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of Scotland. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
  2. Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
  3. 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)
  4. "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
  5. 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)
  6. South Australian Register Tuesday 3 February 1852. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) AMAZON 1852. Retrieved http://www.theshipslist.com/ships/australia/amazon1852.shtml
  7. The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2016, January 15) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html


Houseofnames.com on Facebook