Surname Lawlee - Meaning and Origin

Lawlee: What does the surname Lawlee mean?

The last name Lawlee is an unusual last name thought to have originated in Scotland. It is said to be derived from the Middle English work "laWe" which translates as "law." This could indicate that the earliest Lawlees were members of the legal profession, such as barristers, attorneys, or even judges. It could also suggest that the surnames' original bearer was a banker, moneylender, or other money handler.

The Lawlee name may also be connected to other similar-sounding names like Lawler and Lawlor. It is also thought to be related to the Irish surname O'Loughlin, which also has a legal meaning.

The earliest record of this last name is from Scotland in the 18th century. The earliest recorded Lawlee was listed in the Poll Tax in 1851 as "Lawlee, Joseph," although other records have been found from earlier centuries.

Today, Lawlee is a relatively rare last name, more commonly found in Scotland and the United Kingdom. Other countries may have a presence, but the population is not likely to be large. Many Lawlees today are concentrated around Ayrshire, Scotland, suggesting that this may have been the family's original home when they first took the name.

Lawlee: Where does the name Lawlee come from?

The surname Lawlee is most common today in the United States, where it is found to be most concentrated in the states of Mississippi, Tennessee, and North Carolina.

Although the origins of the Lawlee family are unclear, it is thought to be of English and Irish heritage, with the original spelling being L'Ouillee. The meaning of the name is a combination of Old English and French words, believed to mean ‘the wild’ or ‘the one who lives in the forest’.

More than 300 individuals with the Lawlee surname are living in the United States today, with about 100 of them being located in the state of Mississippi. Other notable citizens with the last name include Nicholas Lawlee from Plaquemines, Louisiana and Benjamin Lawlee from South Carolina.

Lawlees are dispersed across the US, but they have found common ground in various cities and states. Some of the largest concentrations are in the cities of Jackson, Vicksburg, Tupelo, and Huntsville in Mississippi and Knoxville in Tennessee. There is also a National Lawlee Society that offers resources for those with the same name.

Lawlee is a relatively uncommon surname across the world, making it a source of pride for those who carry it. It is also a reminder of the changes that have occurred over the centuries and the strength of those who carry the Lawlee name.

Variations of the surname Lawlee

The surname Lawlee is of English origin and is derived from a number of topographical or occupational features. Common variants and spellings of this surname include Lawley, Lawly, Lawlye, Lawleigh and Lawlygh.

In a topographical definition, Lawlee is thought to have derived from the Old English word leah meaning a wood or clearing in the woods. Natives of such a place would have adopted the surname Lawlee to identify themselves as an inhabitant of the area.

Others may have derived the surname Lawlee occupationally. The suffix leah could have referred to those employed in some form of trade such as a merchant, shopkeeper or peddler. The prefix law may have stood for the Low German term loub which means linen or cloth, suggesting the name originally referred to a clothworker; or the Old Norse term logi, meaning flame, identifying a flame worker, such as a blacksmith or a maker of candles.

The surname Lawlee may also have had a personal meaning. It is possible that it referred to a person known for their bright laughs or perhaps more kindly, one known for their spirit and sense of humor.

The various variants of Lawlee extend to a number of other surnames such as Luley, Lulley, Lully, Lally, Lalley, Loppley, Laing, Langley, and Langly. These changes are linked to different times and locations when the surname was first adopted; a combination of phonetic spelling, dialects and regional accents.

Famous people with the name Lawlee

• Bette Midler: American singer, songwriter, actress, comedian, and film producer best known for her work in the 1970's.
• Rainn Wilson: American actor, comedian, writer, director, and businessman, best known for playing Dwight Schrute on the American version of The Office.
• Marlee Matlin: American actress and advocate for the deaf and hard of hearing communities, best known for her Academy Award-winning performance in Children of a Lesser God.
• Madeline Zima: American actress and singer, best known for her roles in Californication, The Nanny, and A Cinderella Story.
• Mike Lawlee: American singer-songwriter and musician best known for his solo work on the jazz fusion album 'The Art of Lovin'.
• Stacey Lawlee: American television writer and producer, best known for her work on the TV series Devious Maids, Nightmares & Dreamscapes, and Frasier.
• Paul Lawlee: British playwright, screenwriter, and actor, best known for works such as The Censor, We're All Gonna Die!, and Tools of the Trade.
• Samuel Lawlee: British soldier and recipient of the Victoria Cross during the First World War.
• Will Lawlee: British actor, best known for his stage work at the National Theatre and Royal Exchange in Manchester.
• Ashley Lawlee: Australian basketball player and three-time Paralympic gold medalist.

Other surnames

LawlerLawlessLawley