Surname Lowry - Meaning and Origin

Unlocking the Past: Unraveling the Legacy and Origin of my Surname Lowry with iGENEA DNA Analysis

Embarking on a journey to understand my lineage, I underwent a DNA analysis at iGENEA; an enlightening experience that revealed fascinating details. From my ancestral origins to the history of my surname, Lowry, the test provided a profound understanding of my roots and lineage's chronicles. This exploration connected me to my heritage like never before.

R. Lowry

Lowry: What does the surname Lowry mean?

The surname Lowry has Irish and Scottish origins deriving from two different Gaelic surnames. In Irish, it came from "O Labhradha," which means "descendent of Labhradh," and the personal name Labhradh itself means "spokesman". Hence, in the Irish context, Lowry may symbolize a descendant of a spokesman.

Meanwhile in Scottish, it is a derivation of the medieval personal name "Laurie," which is from the Latin "Laurentius" that translates to "man from Laurentium," a town in Italy. Over time and with pronunciation changes in the local dialect, it transformed into Lowry.

It's also important to note that spellings were not standardized until recent centuries; hence the surname has been spelt in various ways such as Lowrie, Lowrey, Lowry, Lowrie, and Lauri.

In summary, the Lowry surname carries an interesting mix of cultures and meanings, notably "descendant of a spokesman" and "man from Laurentium."

Lowry: Where does the name Lowry come from?

The surname Lowry is of Irish and Scottish origin, derived from the Gaelic personal name Labhradha, meaning 'spokesman'. It came into usage from the descendants of Labhradha, who was the ancestor of the O'Learys. In Scotland, the surname Lowry is primarily found in Galloway, where a family seat was held from early times.

In addition to its strong roots in Ireland and Scotland, the surname began to appear in other English-speaking countries throughout the 19th and 20th centuries, largely due to emigration. Today, Lowry is most common in the United States, United Kingdom (especially Northern Ireland), Canada, and Australia. It is particularly prevalent in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania, due to the high rate of Irish and Scottish immigration to this region. Its usage can still be seen in place names, such as the town of Lowry, Minnesota, and the Lowry Hill neighborhood in Minneapolis. It also maintains its prevalence in Ireland, particularly in Ulster.

Variations of the surname Lowry

The surname Lowry has its origins in the Gaelic culture, particularly from the Highlands of Scotland. This surname falls under occupational surnames, originally deriving from the personal name Laurence. Over centuries, many different spellings of the surname Lowry have emerged due to different cultural influences, regional dialects, and misinterpretations.

Some of the most common surname variations include Lowery, Lowrey, Lowrie, Lawry, and Laurie. Other spellings include Lorrie, Lorie, Lourie, Loury, Lowrey, and Lowrye.

There are also similar surnames that have a shared origin or root family, such as Leary, Lary, and Larry. Some surnames such as Lauer, Lawer, Laurer, and Lawyer, derived from the same or similar root names, may also be related.

In addition to these, there are some Irish surnames like O'Leary and O'Lowry that might share a common ancestry with Lowry. Scottish surnames such as McLaren and McLaurin, besides sounding similar, might also be connected with Lowry because of shared Gaelic influences.

However, it is crucial to remember that surname variations do not always reflect a common family origin. They can also result from unrelated families adopting similar sounding names independently over time.

Famous people with the name Lowry

• Lydia Lowry: American writer and essayist
• Marcia K. Lowry: American lawyer and civil rights advocate
• Malcolm Lowry: English novelist
• Luke Lowry: Australian actor
• Dean Lowry: American football player
• Lovelace E. Lowry: prominent African-American civil rights leader
• Stephen Lowry: Northern Irish footballer
• Brock Lowry: American professional wrestler
• Johnny Lowry: British singer-songwriter
• Jacqueline Lowry: Irish Paralympian
• Les Lowry: English footballer
• Liza Lowry: American actress
• Martin Lowry: British chemist
• Richard Lowry: American politician
• Tom Lowry: Canadian rower
• Malcolm Lowry Jr.: Canadian politician
• Terence Lowry: British doctor and author
• Wayne Lowry: American artist
• Phyllis S. Lowry: American poet and author
• David Lowry: British actor

Other surnames

LowranceLowreyLowrie