Where did the English Lawrence family come from? What is the English coat of arms/family crest? When did the Lawrence family first arrive in the United States? Where did the various branches of the family go? What is the history of the family name?
The name Lawrence was spawned by the ancient Anglo-Saxon culture that ruled a majority of Britain. It comes 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.
Before the last few hundred years, the English language had no fast system of spelling rules. For that reason, spelling variations are commonly found in early Anglo-Saxon surnames. Over the years, many variations of the name Lawrence were recorded, including Lawrence, Laurence, Lawerence, Lawrance and many more.
First found in Lancashire where they were seated from very ancient times, some say well before the Norman Conquest and the arrival of Duke William at Hastings in 1066 A.D.
To escape oppression and starvation at that time, many English families left for the "open frontiers" of the New World with all its perceived opportunities. In droves people migrated to the many British colonies, those in North America in particular, paying high rates for passages in cramped, unsafe ships. Although many of the settlers did not make the long passage alive, those who did see the shores of North America perceived great opportunities before them. Many of the families that came from England went on to make essential contributions to the emerging nations of Canada and the United States. Research into various historical records revealed some of first members of the Lawrence family emigrate to North America: George and Elizabeth Lawrance settled in Virginia in 1641; Anne and John Lawrence settled in Virginia with their seven children in 1676; Ben, Edward, Elizabeth, J.
Suggested Readings for the name Lawrence
* The History of the Bemis, Perkinson, Fay, and Lawrence Families by Ted H. Bemis.
* From the European Continent to American Colonist & Citizen: the 275 Year History of the Lowrance (also Lawrence) Family in America by Gayford Radar Lowrence.
Some noteworthy people of the name Lawrence
* Carol Lawrence (b. 1932), American Actress
* Harding Lawrence, American Airline Executive
* Henry Lawrence, American Physician
* Jerome Lawrence (1915-2004), American playwright and author
* Marjorie Florence Lawrence (1908-1979), operatic singer
* Sir William Lawrence, British Lawyer
* William Ulick Tristram St Lawrence (1827-1909), 4th Earl of Howth, who was created Baron Howth in the Peerage of the UK in 1881 and made a member of the Order of St Patrick in 1884.