Surname Larens - Meaning and Origin

Larens: What does the surname Larens mean?

The last name Larens is an occupational surname of French origin meaning people who worked in or owned a lare, a large barn or public granary. It is thought to have been derived from the Old French word “larer” which translates to “barn” or “granary.”

The name likely originated among the Norman French nobility of medieval times, indicating either an important position as a steward to someone of high nobility in charge of the king’s granaries, or alternatively someone who owned, operated, or worked in a private agricultural grain store.

Larens is still a fairly common name in France, with a relatively high concentration in the departments of Lot-et-Garonne, Pyrénées-Atlantiques, and Dordogne. It is also present in Belgium, Germany, the United Kingdom, the United States, and Canada.

Today, the name Larens is still associated with agriculture and storage, conjuring up images of barns, silos, and fields. It is also a generic surname by which many people, now generations removed from their original French homelands, share a common roots.

Larens: Where does the name Larens come from?

The last name Larens is most commonly found in the Netherlands today. It is a patronymic name, derived from the Dutch male personal name "Laurens." It is a well-known Dutch surname, with ancient roots. The name originated in the Netherlands and surrounding countries in the late Middle Ages and medieval period.

The majority of the Larens people living in the Netherlands can be found in the North and West Frisian Islands, in Groningen, and in Zeeland. This surname is also seen in the United States today, primarily among Dutch Americans with origins in the Netherlands.

The earliest Larens immigrants to the US were predominantly found in New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania. This was due to the large number of Dutch people who had migrated there during the Dutch colonization of the area in the mid-17th century. Since then, the surname has spread throughout the US, with more pronounced presence in Utah, Indiana, and Iowa.

The Larens family is believed to be of Huguenot origin, as many fled religious persecution in their native country of France. It is a fairly common surname among the Dutch community in other countries, including Canada, South Africa, Australia, and Britain.

Variations of the surname Larens

The surname Larens is derived from the old German word laro, which means "illustrious, renowned". The name is also associated with the Latin word laurenstis, which means "he who wears a laurel crown". This surname has been found in both American and European records, with variants including Loren, Lorens, Larens, Laarens, Larrene, and Lowrens.

In Europe, the name is most often spelled Lorrens or Larens, although variants like Laurence, Lorens, and Lurenz have also been found. The Scandinavian spelling of the name is Larrson, and the Dutch version is Larens or Larense.

In the United States, Loren, Lorens, and Lurenz are the most common spellings of the surname. Other variants include Lurenz, Laurenz, Lorence, Lawrance, Law (for Lawrence) and Loewen (for Leonard).

The most common surnames which are derived from the same root as Larens include Lamb, Nason, Nasse, Nash, Lammas, Lammes, and Lamm (German). These surnames derive from the same root from the Old German name Lamharius.

The surname Larens is also a patronymic one, which means that the bearer would have descended from a man of the same name. For example, a father named Larens, would have sons named Larensson or Larenson in Sweden, Larensz in Poland, or Larenszoon in the Netherlands.

No matter the variant, the surname Larens is a uniquely historic one, with a long history of recorded use. It is a fitting and impressive name that has been passed down through generations of families.

Famous people with the name Larens

• Barry Larens: former assistant Mayor of Oakland, California.
• Ryan Larens: former forward for the Fresno State University soccer team.
• Stephen Larens: American historian who specializes in early twentieth-century American diplomatic and economic history.
• Nathan Larens: Former Head Football Coach for Lebanon Valley College.
• Gaston Larens: Belgian sculptor who is known for his sculptures in wood and bronze.
• Michele Larens: French soprano and musical theatre performer who has performed in multiple countries around the world.
• Tony Larens: Professional Baseball Player (pitcher) for the Houston Astros.
• Gaston Larens: Belgian-Argentine architect and painter who was active in the early twentieth century.
• Paul Larens: Dutch painter known for his Expressionist still lifes, portraits and landscapes.
• Jim Larens: accomplished American photographer who has many published works in both books and magazines.

Other surnames

Larenz