Surname McLaury - Meaning and Origin
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McLaury: What does the surname McLaury mean?
The origin of the surname McLaury is Scottish from the Gaelic Mac Labhrainn, meaning 'son of Labhran'. Labhran itself is a derivative of Laurence, a personal name which has a Latin origin. Laurence was derived from the Latin Laurentius, essentially meaning 'someone from Laurentium', a town in Italy. However, in a broader translation, the name is interpreted as "man from Laurentium". Over time, this name moved from Latin to French and then to English, with various changes in its spelling. Hence, McLaury is an anglicized form of a Gaelic name. This surname was popular among Scottish Highland clans. Today, there may be different variations of the name. It is worth mentioning that the McLaury brothers were historically known for being the outlaws in the Gunfight at the O.K. Corral in the American Old West.
Order DNA origin analysisMcLaury: Where does the name McLaury come from?
The last name McLaury is of Scottish origin. It is derived from the Gaelic personal name Labhran, which means "Laurence". The prefix ‘Mc’ or ‘Mac’ in Scottish and Irish names signifies 'son of'. So, McLaury is understood to mean 'Son of Laurence'.
In the 17th and 18th centuries, many Scots emigrated to the United States due to political and economic reasons. Among them were the McLaury family and today the last name is most common in the United States. The most notable bearers were the McLaury brothers, Tom and Frank, who were involved in the infamous Gunfight at the O.K. Corral in Tombstone, Arizona, in the Old West era of the United States.
The occurrence of the surname McLaury is relatively rare, with less than 3000 individuals holding this name as per the U.S census data. Hence, it may not be significantly common in any specific region.
Variations of the surname McLaury
The McLaury surname, prevalent among those of Scottish or Irish descent, has seen several variations and alternative spellings over history, due to factors such as geographical location, illiteracy, and phonetic interpretations. Some alternative spellings include McLaurie, McLaurin, MacLaurin, McLarry, McLorie, McLauryn, and McLauren, among others.
Such variations commonly emerge from the original Scottish form MacLabhruinn, which signifies "son of Labhran," a Gaelic personal name meaning "Laurence." Therefore, you may also find connections with the surnames McLaurence or McLawrence.
Due to the migration of individuals and families, these variations often crossed borders and generations. For example, families bearing these surnames could be found not only in Scotland and Ireland, but also in England, Canada, Australia, United States, and other English-speaking countries. As these versions were often adapted to blend into the new regions’ language norms, more similar sounding surnames may also be connected to McLaury.
However, be aware that the accuracy of this relation can only be proven through genealogical research, as many surnames have evolved independently in different geographical locations, leading to similar surnames with differing ancestries.
Famous people with the name McLaury
- Thomas McLaury: One of two brothers murdered by the Cowboys in the 1881 Gunfight at the O.K. Corral in Tombstone, Arizona.
- William McLaury: The other brother who was killed alongside Thomas in the 1881 Gunfight at the O.K. Corral.
- Tom McLaury (actor): American TV and film actor best known for his roles in Magnum, P.I., Family Ties, and Law & Order.
- Jimmy McLaury: Waterboy turned movie actor and stuntman who worked in some of the greatest westerns of all time, including The Magnificent Seven, Cat Ballou, and Samson and Delilah.
- Tom McLaury (businessman): Business man and former CEO of McLaury Financial Group.
- Bill McLaury (businessman): Former Vice President of Eastern Airlines and Chairman and CEO of McLaury Financial Group.
- Anne Marie McLaury: American figure skater who competed in the 1964 and 1968 Winter Olympics.
- Anne McLaurin: Singer-songwriter from Berkeley, California who has released two albums, Silent Company and Yes to You.
- Dianne McLaurin: Professor of English and Creative Writing at the University of Louisiana, as well as a Poet Laureate of the state.
- Sean McLaury: Basketball coach and former athletic director at the University of Delaware.