Surname Lawlor - Meaning and Origin
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Lawlor: What does the surname Lawlor mean?
The surname Lawlor has Irish origins and is derived from the Gaelic family name "O'Leathlobhair." This means 'descendant of Leathlobhar', where "Leathlobhar" itself is composed of two elements: ‘leath’ meaning 'half' and ‘lobhar’ meaning 'leper’. It was a nickname given for a person who was a caretaker for those with leprosy. It is an example of the many occupational names that were adopted as surnames during the Middle Ages. This surname is primarily found in the provinces of Leinster and Munster in Ireland. However, over the centuries, descendants bearing the surname Lawlor have spread throughout the world due to migration and the Irish diaspora.
Order DNA origin analysisLawlor: Where does the name Lawlor come from?
The surname Lawlor has Irish origins, deriving from the Gaelic 'Leathlobhar', which means 'the sickly one'. It is considered an anglicized form of the old Irish name O'Leathlobhair, with 'O' indicating a male descendant. The Lawlor family was initially a part of the Gaelic nobility in Ireland before the Anglo-Norman invasion in the 12th century.
The family crest with the motto "Vi Et Virtute" (By Force and Valor) and the ancestral seat of the Lawlor family was in Leix (County Laois), a county in the province of Leinster, Ireland.
Today, the surname Lawlor is particularly common in Ireland, especially in the province of Leinster. It is especially prevalent in counties Laois and Kildare. The name is found in significant numbers in the United States, Canada, Australia, and England as well, attributed to Irish emigration over centuries, especially during the time of the Great Famine in the mid-19th century. It should be noted that the surname may have different spellings, including Lalor, Lawler, and Leathlobhair.
Variations of the surname Lawlor
The surname Lawlor is of Irish origin from the Gaelic "Leathlobhar," which means the half-leper or the sickly one. Over time, the surname has been spelled in various ways due to phonetic interpretations. Some of these variations include Lalor, Lawlor, Lawler, O'Lalor, O'Lawlor and Laler. Lawlor is the most common version seen today.
The name is quite prominent in counties Laois and Kilkenny in Ireland, where the family was part of the septs, or divisions of society in Gaelic Ireland. They were considered among the most important families of the area.
The Lawlor surname spread wider during the time of the Great Famine in Ireland (1845–52) when many Irish people migrated to other countries like America, England, and Australia. This led to newer variations and probably more anglicized versions of the surname. Some families may have also changed the spelling of the surname to fit in with their new communities or to make it easier to pronounce.
Sources suggest that the surname Lawlor and its variants belong to the same origin - the Lawlor family, originally from Ireland.
Famous people with the name Lawlor
- Eddie Lawlor: An Australian rugby league footballer who played in the 1960s and 1970s.
- Linda Lawlor: An English author who has written several books for teenagers and young adults.
- Stephen Lawlor: An Irish visual artist whose work has been exhibited globally.
- Kevin Lawlor: A Canadian former ice hockey player.
- Patrick Joseph "P. J." Lawlor: An Irish author, poet, and journalist.
- Sean Lawlor: An Irish character actor and playwright, famous for his role in the film, Braveheart.
- Tim Lawlor: A Canadian retired sprinter who participated in the 1980 Summer Olympics.
- Tara Lawlor: An Irish actress best known for her work in the film, "Damo & Ivor: The Movie".
- Zoe Lawlor: An Irish songwriter who has written songs for top Irish and international artists.
- Jim Lawlor: A football scout and former footballer from Northern Ireland, who is currently the chief scout at Manchester United.
- Lauren Lawlor: A Canadian volleyball player, who currently plays for the University of Toronto Varsity Blues.
- Michael Lawlor: A politician from Connecticut who served in the Connecticut House of Representatives.