UK surname
A surname meaning one from the laurel tree region.
In the 1881 census there were 151 people recorded with the Lawerance surname, ranking it #15,419 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 7, ranked #37,967, down from #15,419 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Exeter City: St Mary Arches, Ellon and Cheltenham. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Lawerance is 190 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 95.4%.
1881 census count
151
Ranked #15,419
Modern count
7
2016, ranked #37,967
Peak year
1861
190 bearers
Map years
4
1861 to 1901
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Lawerance surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Lawerance surname density by area, 1881 census.
Timeline
Back to topThe table below tracks recorded surname counts and rank from the 19th-century census years through the modern adult-register period.
| Year | Period | Count | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1851 | historical | 67 | #21,440 |
| 1861 | historical | 190 | #12,520 |
| 1881 | historical | 151 | #15,419 |
| 1891 | historical | 190 | #15,486 |
| 1901 | historical | 118 | #20,721 |
| 1911 | historical | 63 | #26,537 |
| 1997 | modern | 4 | #38,094 |
| 1998 | modern | 7 | #37,533 |
| 1999 | modern | 5 | #37,872 |
| 2000 | modern | 4 | #38,004 |
| 2001 | modern | 1 | #38,647 |
| 2002 | modern | 4 | #37,921 |
| 2003 | modern | 5 | #37,750 |
| 2004 | modern | 5 | #37,830 |
| 2005 | modern | 5 | #37,885 |
| 2006 | modern | 6 | #37,788 |
| 2007 | modern | 8 | #37,572 |
| 2008 | modern | 10 | #37,371 |
| 2009 | modern | 12 | #37,230 |
| 2010 | modern | 12 | #37,307 |
| 2011 | modern | 13 | #37,191 |
| 2012 | modern | 10 | #37,509 |
| 2013 | modern | 11 | #37,435 |
| 2014 | modern | 8 | #37,806 |
| 2015 | modern | 7 | #37,920 |
| 2016 | modern | 7 | #37,967 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Exeter City: St Mary Arches, Ellon, Cheltenham, St Mary Islington and Corringham, Great & Little. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.
The modern local-area list points to No data. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.
| Rank | Parish | Area |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Exeter City: St Mary Arches | Devon |
| 2 | Ellon | Aberdeen |
| 3 | Cheltenham | Gloucestershire |
| 4 | St Mary Islington | London (North Districts) |
| 5 | Corringham, Great & Little | Lincolnshire |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Lawerance surname in historical and recent records.
Recent female names
Recent male names
Modern profile
Back to topModern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Lawerance, this points to the kinds of places where the surname is most concentrated today.
These neighbourhood labels describe areas, not individual people. They are useful because surnames often cluster through family history, migration, housing patterns and local work. A surname can be strongest in one type of neighbourhood even when people with that name live across the country.
The UK classification gives the national picture. The London classification is more specific to the capital, where housing, age profile, tenure and population mix can look quite different from the rest of the UK.
UK neighbourhood type
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Nationally, the Lawerance surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Lawerance household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.
London neighbourhood type
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Within London, Lawerance is most associated with areas classed as No data, part of No data. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.
Broadband speed
The modern neighbourhood pattern for Lawerance is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Lawerance, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname LAWERANCE has its origins in England, tracing back to the late 12th century. It is believed to be derived from the Old French name "Laurence" or "Laurentius," which itself stems from the Latin name "Laurentius," meaning "from Laurentum" – a city in ancient Italy.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the LAWERANCE surname can be found in the Pipe Rolls of Lincolnshire from 1195, where it appears as "Laurence." This spelling variation was quite common during the Middle Ages, as surnames were often fluid and inconsistent in their written form.
The LAWERANCE name is also mentioned in the renowned Domesday Book of 1086, which was a comprehensive survey of landholdings and population in England commissioned by William the Conqueror. However, in this record, the name appears as "Laurenz," which further highlights the variations in spelling during that era.
Over the centuries, the LAWERANCE surname has been associated with several notable individuals. One such figure was Sir John Lawerance (1470-1535), a prominent English lawyer and judge who served as the Chief Justice of the King's Bench during the reign of King Henry VIII.
Another noteworthy bearer of the LAWERANCE name was Thomas Lawerance (1711-1786), an English historian and author who wrote extensively on the history of the British Empire and the East India Company.
In the realm of literature, Samuel Lawerance (1832-1911), an English poet and writer, gained recognition for his works that explored themes of nature and rural life.
Moving into the 19th century, we find James Lawerance (1825-1901), a Scottish inventor and engineer who made significant contributions to the development of early telegraphic systems and underwater cable technology.
Lastly, it is worth mentioning Sir Walter Lawerance (1857-1940), a British civil servant and diplomat who served as the Viceroy of India from 1924 to 1926, playing a crucial role in shaping British policies in the subcontinent during that period.
These examples illustrate the diverse backgrounds and accomplishments of individuals who have borne the LAWERANCE surname throughout history, contributing to its rich legacy and enduring presence across various fields and regions.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Lawerance surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.
Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Aberdeenshire leads with 26 Lawerances recorded in 1881 and an index of 19.45x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Aberdeenshire | 26 | 19.45x |
| Banffshire | 20 | 66.80x |
| Lincolnshire | 13 | 5.63x |
| Worcestershire | 13 | 6.90x |
| Sussex | 11 | 4.52x |
| Essex | 9 | 3.16x |
| Cornwall | 8 | 4.90x |
| Gloucestershire | 7 | 2.47x |
| Somerset | 7 | 3.01x |
| Middlesex | 5 | 0.35x |
| Surrey | 5 | 0.71x |
| Lancashire | 4 | 0.23x |
| Yorkshire | 4 | 0.28x |
| Devon | 3 | 1.00x |
| Durham | 3 | 0.70x |
| Hampshire | 3 | 1.01x |
| Dorset | 2 | 2.11x |
| Glamorgan | 2 | 0.80x |
| Denbighshire | 1 | 1.83x |
| Perthshire | 1 | 1.54x |
| Staffordshire | 1 | 0.21x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Gamrie in Banffshire leads with 19 Lawerances recorded in 1881 and an index of 568.86x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Gamrie | 19 | 568.86x |
| Clee With Weelsby | 8 | 158.42x |
| Ellon | 7 | 380.43x |
| Bexhill | 6 | 495.87x |
| Cheltenham | 6 | 27.47x |
| Walthamstow | 6 | 58.48x |
| Great Malvern | 5 | 127.23x |
| Preston | 5 | 117.65x |
| Tresmeer | 5 | 6250.00x |
| Aberdeen Old Machar | 4 | 14.33x |
| Great Grimsby | 4 | 27.30x |
| Hornsey | 4 | 21.92x |
| Lambeth | 4 | 3.18x |
| Lye | 4 | 127.39x |
| Peterhead | 4 | 56.58x |
| Worcester All Sts | 4 | 366.97x |
| Clevedon | 3 | 123.97x |
| Gorton | 3 | 18.63x |
| Hetton Le Hole | 3 | 55.15x |
| Kincardine O Neil | 3 | 315.79x |
| Portsea | 3 | 5.17x |
| Aylesbeare | 2 | 465.12x |
| Fobbing | 2 | 952.38x |
| Holbeck | 2 | 21.10x |
| Lyncombe Widcombe | 2 | 32.89x |
| Newhills | 2 | 72.99x |
| Old Deer | 2 | 79.05x |
| Poole St James | 2 | 56.18x |
| Tremaine | 2 | 5000.00x |
| Ystradyfodwg | 2 | 9.07x |
| Aberdeen St Nicholas | 1 | 4.00x |
| Aldborough In Great | 1 | 400.00x |
| Berrow | 1 | 454.55x |
| Cadney | 1 | 454.55x |
| Cullen | 1 | 90.09x |
| Eastleach Turville | 1 | 454.55x |
| Enfield | 1 | 10.56x |
| Eston | 1 | 32.05x |
| Fazeley | 1 | 112.36x |
| Gresford Gwersyllt | 1 | 59.17x |
| King Edward | 1 | 64.94x |
| Lonmay | 1 | 82.64x |
| Muthill | 1 | 117.65x |
| Plymouth St Andrew | 1 | 4.32x |
| Rimpton | 1 | 769.23x |
| South Weald | 1 | 40.98x |
| Southwark St George Martyr | 1 | 3.44x |
| Stretford | 1 | 10.62x |
| Tarves | 1 | 79.37x |
| Veryan | 1 | 158.73x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Lawerance surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
| Name | Count |
|---|---|
| Mary | 5 |
| Sarah | 4 |
| Ann | 3 |
| Emma | 3 |
| Jane | 3 |
| Eliza | 2 |
| Kate | 2 |
| A.M.M. | 1 |
| Ada | 1 |
| Alice | 1 |
| Amelia | 1 |
| Caroline | 1 |
| Catherine | 1 |
| Clara | 1 |
| Edith | 1 |
| Elizth. | 1 |
| Ellen | 1 |
| Emily | 1 |
| Fanney | 1 |
| Georgina | 1 |
| Grace | 1 |
| Isabella | 1 |
| Lavinia | 1 |
| Lily | 1 |
| Lydia | 1 |
| Margot | 1 |
| Margret | 1 |
| Maude | 1 |
| Minnie | 1 |
| Miriam | 1 |
| Rebekah | 1 |
| Rosabella | 1 |
| Rosanna | 1 |
| Rose | 1 |
| Sophia | 1 |
These are the male first names most often recorded with the Lawerance surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
FAQ
In 1881, 151 people were recorded with the Lawerance surname. That placed it at #15,419 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 7 in 2016. That gives Lawerance a modern rank of #37,967.
A surname meaning one from the laurel tree region.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Lawerance bearers relative to the surrounding population.
The historical counts come from census surname records. The modern counts and neighbourhood summaries come from later surname distribution records. Counts are recorded bearers in those records, not a live estimate of everyone with the name today.