Surname Lawell - Meaning and Origin
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Lawell: What does the surname Lawell mean?
The surname Lawell is believed to be of English origin. According to some researchers, the name may have arisen from a location-based surname derived from the Old English word leaw, meaning ‘meadow’, and would have denoted someone who lived near a meadow. Alternatively, it could be derived from the Old French word loewe, meaning ‘lion’, and would have indicated a person of courage and strength.
In modern times, the surname Lawell is mostly found in England, but is also found in other parts of the British Isles, such as Ireland, Scotland, and Wales. Within England, the surname is particularly common in the East Midlands region, as well as in Lancashire and London.
Today, the Lawell surname is renowned for producing well-respected individuals in many fields, from the arts to business to the sciences. Its prominent bearers include famous British artist Aubrey Lawell, the first female Fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society Florence Mary Lawell, and the renowned businessman and entrepreneur William Lawell.
Overall, Lawell is a surname steeped in history and honour. Its origins reflect a proud and resilient history of hard-working and successful individuals who have left their mark in many disciplines.
Order DNA origin analysisLawell: Where does the name Lawell come from?
The last name of Lawell is most commonly found in northern and central Europe, primarily in Germany, the Netherlands, France, and the United Kingdom. It is also quite common in former British colonies, such as the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.
In the Netherlands, individuals with this surname have roots in the Northern province of Friesland. Those with the Lawell surname in France were likely Protestant Huguenots who came from Germany and the Netherlands in the 16th and 17th centuries. Research suggests that this is the origin of the surname in Britain and its former colonies.
In the United States, the Lawell surname is most heavily concentrated in the states of California and New Jersey. New Jersey and California may have large populations of Lawell families because they were some of the earliest destinations for German immigrants to the United States.
In Germany, Lawell is the 82,511th most common surname. It is likely most linked to a region called Lawell und Garten, located in the old Prussian administrative district of Piluch. Those with the Lawell surname today likely have ancestors who hailed from this area.
The last name Lawell, then, has had a long and winding path with various stops in different parts of the world before gaining current prevalence in northern and central Europe and former British colonies. No matter its origin, those who share the surname Lawell can proudly claim that it is part of their family heritage.
Variations of the surname Lawell
The surname Lawell, while not common, is quite old and has many variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin. It is derived from Old English and Middle English sources, meaning 'lawful,' 'laurel,' or 'laurel tree,' and is typically found in England and Ireland.
The most common spellings of Lawell are Lawall, Laul(l), Lauile, Lawil(l), Lawel(l), Lawsill, Lowl(e), Lawley, Lawlee, and Lawl(e), although there are many more less frequent spellings.
There are a few variants of the surname Lawell, including Lahil(l), Lael(l), Lahel(l), Lawhill, Lawnall, Lavel(l), Lovill, Larill and Lawril(l).
Some of the surnames with the same origin as Lawell include Lawless, Lawhorn, Lauderdale, Lowther, Laurence, Lawley, Lawrence, Lowe, Lowman, Lawman, and Lorman.
Overall, Lawell is one of the oldest surnames out there, and its variants, spellings and related surnames reflect its nonstandardized structure that is a result of its age and spread among different cultures and regions from across Britain and Ireland.
Famous people with the name Lawell
- Julia Lawell: Julia is a German model and actress who is best known for her work in the 2020 Netflix series Wolf and her role in the 2018 film The Last Witnesses.
- Christopher Lawell: Christopher is an American film composer and songwriter whose work includes the score and soundtrack for the Academy Award-winning film The Fighter.
- David Lawell: David is a former professional American football quarterback who played in the National Football League for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and New England Patriots.
- Richard Lawell: Richard is an English actor, writer, director that has appeared in various films, such as Black Panther and Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2. He is also known for his stage performances.
- Gordon Lawell: Gordon is an Australian golfer who won the 1997 Australian Masters Tournament. He is also the inaugural winner of the PGA Tour of Australasia Order of Merit.
- Jack Lawell: Jack is an American baseball player and coach who spent two decades playing professional baseball before becoming a college coach, winning two NJCAA World Series titles with his team.
- John R. Lawell: John is a British psychiatrist notable for his work in the field of forensic psychiatry. He is also a leading authority on mental health law.
- Pat Lawell: Pat is an American artist, sculptor, and potter who specializes in metal work. She has been featured on several television shows, including The Tonight Show and The Oprah Winfrey Show.
- Paul Lawell: Paul is a British artist whose works, often characterized by abstract forms and nature-inspired colors, can be seen in galleries and museums all over the world.
- Robbie Lawell: Robbie is a Scottish actor best known for his roles in the films My Spy, Outlaw King, and Neds.