Lawson Surname Meaning & Origin
What the Lawson last name means, where the surname began and where it was first recorded.
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Meaning and origin of the Lawson last name
Meaning of the Lawson last name: son of Law (Lawrence). Lawson is a patronymic, "son of Law", from a pet form of Lawrence. Law was a usual short form of the name in northern England and Scotland, and it also gave the surnames Law and Laws. Lawson is common in northern England, in Yorkshire, Durham and Cumberland, where medieval records show it from the 14th century. In Scotland, Lawsons were found across the Lowlands, especially in Peeblesshire, Lanarkshire and Fife. Lawsons from both sides of the Border settled in Ulster, and later in the American colonies, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. In Australia the poet Henry Lawson became a national figure, and the name is now common in all of these countries.
Our historical archives hold much more on the Lawson name: dates, names and records of early bearers.
This overview covers the Lawson name in Scotland. We also hold records of the name in other countries, such as England, the United States and Australia; your full pack is researched for your family's country of origin.
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The researched Lawson pack traces meaning, early bearers and migration routes, and includes a personalized Lawson coat of arms.
Lawson name FAQ
What does the Lawson name mean?
Son of Law (Lawrence). Common variants include Lauson, Lowson, Lawrenson.
Where does the Lawson surname come from?
It originates in Scotland, and is also found in England, the United States and Australia.
Is there a Lawson coat of arms?
Arms were granted to individuals, not whole surnames, so there is no single Lawson crest. Herald Lab paints a personalized Lawson coat of arms based on historic heraldry.
Researched by Herald Lab Research Studio, since 1993. Sources: George F. Black, The Surnames of Scotland (New York Public Library, 1946); Reaney & Wilson, Dictionary of English Surnames; Dictionary of American Family Names (Oxford); US Census Bureau 2010.