Show ContentsLowery History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Early Origins of the Lowery family

The surname Lowery 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 Lowery family

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

Lowery Spelling Variations

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

Early Notables of the Lowery 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 Lowery Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Lowery Ranking

In the United States, the name Lowery is the 659th most popular surname with an estimated 44,766 people with that name. 4

Migration of the Lowery family to Ireland

Some of the Lowery 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.


Lowery migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Lowery Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Hugh Lowery, aged 28, who arrived in New York, NY in 1812 5
  • James Lowery, aged 55, who arrived in New York, NY in 1812 5
  • John, Lowery Jr., who landed in Washington County, Pennsylvania in 1813 5
  • Alexander Lowery, who landed in Allegany (Allegheny) County, Pennsylvania in 1839 5
  • Thomas Lowery, aged 24, who landed in New York, NY in 1839 5
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Lowery migration to Australia +

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

Lowery Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • Thomas Lowery, aged 21, who arrived in South Australia in 1857 aboard the ship "Gilmore"
  • Patrick Lowery, aged 30, who arrived in South Australia in 1857 aboard the ship "Navarino" 6
  • Alice Lowery, aged 40, a servant, who arrived in South Australia in 1857 aboard the ship "Navarino" 6

Lowery 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:

Lowery Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
  • William Lowery, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Merrington" in 1867
  • Edith Lowery, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Merrington" in 1867
  • Elizabeth Lowery, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Merrington" in 1867
  • Alfred Lowery, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Merrington" in 1867

Contemporary Notables of the name Lowery (post 1700) +

  • Mark Dale Lowery (1957-2023), American politician, Treasurer of Arkansas from January to July 2023
  • Lillian M. Lowery (1954-2022), American government official and educator from Gastonia, North Carolina, Superintendent of the Maryland State Department of Education (2012-2015)
  • Evelyn Gibson Lowery (1925-2013), American civil rights activist and leader
  • Robert Lowery (1913-1971), born Robert Larkin Hanks, American actor, best known as the second person to portray "Batman" on film in 1949
  • David Lowery (b. 1960), American guitarist, vocalist and songwriter
  • William David "Bill" Lowery (b. 1947), Republican politician from California
  • Bill Lowery (1924-2004), American country music disc jockey
  • Robert Oliver Lowery (1916-2001), the first African-American New York City Fire Commissioner
  • Joseph Echols Lowery (b. 1921), American civil rights minister and leader and recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom
  • John Harvey Lowery (1860-1941), American Republican politician, Delegate to Republican National Convention from Louisiana, 1916 (alternate), 1920, 1924, 1928, 1940 7
  • ... (Another 15 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

HMS Royal Oak
  • David Lowery (1912-1939), British Leading Stoker with the Royal Navy aboard the HMS Royal Oak (1939) when she was torpedoed by U-47 and sunk; he died in the sinking 8


The Lowery 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. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) Navarino 1857. Retrieved http://www.theshipslist.com/ships/australia/navarino1857.shtml
  7. The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2016, January 15) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html
  8. Ships hit by U-boats crew list HMS Royal Oak (08) - (Retrieved 2018 February, 9th) - retrieved from https://uboat.net/allies/merchants/crews/ship68.html


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