This surname is derived from the name of an ancestor. 'the son of Laurence.' This saint of universal popularity has made a deep impression upon our nomenclature; v. Law (a), Lawson, Lowrie, Laurie, Larkin, Larrett, &c.

Gilbert Laueronce, Cambridgeshire, 1273. Hundred Rolls.

John fil. Laurence, Lincolnshire, ibid.

Simon fil. Laurencii, London, 20 Edward I: Placita de Quo Warranto, temp. Edward I-III.

Nicholas Lawranson, of Poynton, Cheshire, 1584: Wills at Chester.

James Lawranson, of Maghull, 1613: ibid.

Josiah Lawrenson, of Frodsham: ibid. (1681-1700).

Memorials to members of one and the same family represent the name as follows:

Mary, wife of John Laurence, 1736: History of Norfolk.

Ester, wife of John Lawrence, 1796: ibid.

Mary, d. of John and Ester Lanranee, 1727: ibid.

This surname is derived from the name of an ancestor. 'the son of Lawrence'; v. Lowrie.

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. The English sobriquet of the fox was Reynard, which see. In Scotland Lawrence stood sponsor to the animal.

'Whil slee Tod Lowrie hads without his mow.' - Ramsay's Poems.

'He said; and round the courtiers all and each Applauded Lawrie for his winsome speech.' ibid.

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.

'Lawrence the actis and the proccis wrait.': Bannatyne Poems.

1677. Buried — Mary Lower: St. Dionis Backchurch.

1743. Married — Edward Lowry and Sarah Gilbert: St. George Chapel, Mayfair.

1784. — Hugh Laurie and Frances Storie: St. George, Hanover Square.

Diminutives of Laurence which see. Innes (p. 21) says Laurie is another shape of Laurenceson, but this is unlikely. The church of Edzell was dedicated to S. Laurence the Martyr, and his well is near by the churchyard. 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. In old records (barony court book of Stitchell, kirk-session records, tombstones, etc.) the surname is found spelled Lauri (1655), Laurie, Laurri, Laury (1665), Lawrie, Lawiy, Lame, Larry, Lowry, Lourie, Loury, and Lowrry.

V. Laurie.

A northern abbreviation of Lawrence.

The personal name, from the Latin Laurentius. The following are its diminutives and derivatives; Lawrie, Larry, Larkin, Larking, Larkins, Lawes, Lawson, Lawkin.

Crafty.

Flourishing.

Flourishing, spreading, from Laurus, the laurel—tree. Sir Robert Lawrence, of Ashton Hall, Lancashire, England, accompanied Richard I. to the Holy Land, 1191.

Lawrence.

(Scotch), Crafty, Fox-like disposition.

Lawrence. —Characteristic of the southern half of England, especially numerous in the south - west, where it is best represented in Somerset, and then in the neighbouring counties of Dorset and Gloucester. Lawrenson is a Lancashire name. Amongst the derivatives of Lawrence are included Law, Lawes, Lawson, Lawrie, Larkin, etc. In one form or another this ancient name is scattered over England.