What is the origin of the last name Lawrence?
Countries of origin for the last name Lawrence
Lawrence is a last name that has a rich history and interesting etymology. Here are the facts known about the last name Lawrence:
The surname Lawrence is related to the personal name “Laurentius,” which originated in ancient Rome and means “man from Laurentum.” Laurentum was an ancient city in Latium, Italy.
The name “Laurentius” was introduced to England after the Norman Conquest of 1066. It became a popular given name during the medieval period.
The surname Lawrence is derived from the given name “Laurentius.” It is considered a patronymic surname, indicating that it was originally used to identify the descendants of a person named Lawrence.
As a patronymic surname, Lawrence is often found in variations such as Lawrenson and Laurentson.
The surname Lawrence has English origins but is also found in other parts of Europe, including Scotland and Ireland.
Lawrence is a relatively common surname, ranked among the top 500 surnames in the United States.
People with the last name Lawrence have made notable contributions in various fields, including literature, science, and the arts.
The Lawrence surname has been subject to variations in spelling over time and can appear as Laurent, Lowrance, and Lorenz, among others.
Lawrence is a versatile surname that has been adopted by different cultural and ethnic groups. It is not limited to a specific ancestry.
In summary, the last name Lawrence has an ancient origin and is associated with the personal name Laurentius. It is a common surname found among different cultures and has been passed down through generations. The etymology and history of Lawrence reflect its diverse and enduring nature.
Interesting facts about the last name Lawrence
- The surname Lawrence is derived from the Latin name ‘Laurentius’, which means “from Laurentum”.
- Laurentum was an ancient city in Italy, known for its cultural and historical importance.
- The name Lawrence can be found in various forms in different languages, such as Lorenzo in Italian, Laurent in French, and Lorenzo in Spanish.
- Lawrence is a fairly common surname and ranks among the top 200 surnames in the United States.
- Famous individuals with the surname Lawrence include actor and director Francis Lawrence, author D.H. Lawrence, and British actress Jennifer Lawrence.
- In medieval England, Lawrence became a popular given name due to the influence of Saint Lawrence, a third-century martyr and one of the most revered saints in Catholicism.
- The Lawrence family name has a rich military history. Sir Henry Montgomery Lawrence was a British soldier and statesman who played a significant role in the British Empire, and his brother Sir John Laird Mair Lawrence served as Viceroy of India.
- The surname Lawrence is often associated with qualities such as courage, strength, and integrity.
- Lawrence is also a common place name, with numerous towns and cities named Lawrence, such as Lawrence, Kansas, Lawrence, Massachusetts, and Lawrence, New Zealand.
Name Rank
#232
There are around 129699 people with the last name Lawrence in the US