Surname Lawrenz - Meaning and Origin

Lawrenz: What does the surname Lawrenz mean?

The last name Lawrenz is of German origin and is derived from the given name Lawrence. It is generally accepted that the name originated from the Germanic words “Lauro”, meaning “laurel”, and “Wino”, meaning “friend”. This makes sense, as the combination of these two words would mean “friend of the laurel”. It is believed that its popularity as a surname rose during the medieval period when knights and warriors were being named for the symbols they stood for, whether it be a type of weapon or plant. Many of the Germanic names of this period were based off of this same concept, often taking the name of plants and animals that represented strength, nobility, and courage.

The name Lawrenz can be found among families living throughout Germany and the surrounding countries. Today, it is spread across multiple countries, including the United States and Canada, due to emigration. Since its origin, it has become associated with bravery and strength, as emphasize by its historical ties. The last name Lawrenz is still used and found among many families, and it will likely continue to be passed downwell into the future.

Lawrenz: Where does the name Lawrenz come from?

The last name Lawrenz is most commonly found in Germany but it is also a somewhat common last name in the United States. It is a German surname of locational origin, derived from the city of Lawrence in the former state of Prussia.

In Germany, Lawrenz is a common surname in the states of Baden-Württemberg, Lower Saxony, and Saxony-Anhalt. In Germany, Lawrenz is nearly always found in the Catholic regions of the country, particularly in the southwest. Some other, rare frequent mennonite Lawrenz families can be found in Klein neudorf, Bubenheim und Gehaus, Obermehnen or Elmen.

In the United States, Lawrenz is most commonly found in the Midwest. It is especially prevalent in Illinois, Wisconsin, and Minnesota, with a few families also branching into Wisconsin, Michigan, and Iowa.

The Lawrenz family is most likely part of the German settlement movement of the mid-19th century. And it appears that many of these families remained in the regions where they first settled, and thus this is why Lawrenz is more common in the midwestern United States.

Variations of the surname Lawrenz

Lawrenz is an uncommon surname with many variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. The most common variants of the surname Lawrenz are Lorenz, Laurens, Laurenz, Laurencz, Lawrance, Louden, Laurehes, and Lauritzen.

The spelling with a "z" at the end is probably the most common, but Lorenz, which drops the "z" is the most popular variant of the surname Lawrenz. This variant is probably the most widely spread throughout Germany, especially in northern Germany, where the surname originates from. In northern Germany, it is an ancient name which dates back to medieval times.

The name Laurens is another popular variation of the surname Lawrenz. It is most common in the Netherlands and Belgium and is thought to have been used most frequently to denote or honor the famous Roman God of War, Mars.

Finally, Laurence, Laurencz, and Laurehes are variants of the name Lawrenz, but are rarely used as surnames. Laurence is an old French name, derived from the Latin Laurentius, meaning "from Laurentium," the ancient Roman cognomen for the city of Laurentium near Rome.

All these variants of the surname Lawrenz are part of the same lineage, but each has taken a slightly different form over the centuries. Each variation has been adopted in different countries and regions, but all have some form of the same origin.

Famous people with the name Lawrenz

• John Lawrenz, US soccer coach.
• Erich Lawrenz, German classical flautist.
• Debbie Lawrenz, American children's author.
• Brittney Lawrenz, American basketball player.
• K.S. Lawrenz, German World War II pilot.
• Rufus Lawrenz, American opera coach and director.
• Ronald Lawrenz, American author and professor.
• Werner Lawrenz, German general during World War II.
• Armin Lawrenz, German classical music composer.
• Katarzyna Lawrenz, German computer programmer.
• Albert Lawrenz, German World War II flying ace.
• Tamara Lawrenz, Ukrainian politician.
• Henrik Lawrenz, German historian.
• Stan Lawrenz, American basketball coach.
• Alexander Lawrenz, Canadian film director.

Other surnames

LawrenceLawrentzLawrey

Comments or additions to the name "Lawrenz"

13.10.2024
The Lawrenz name is also popular in Kansas in the areas of Herington and Nashville. Ludwig Samuel Lawrenz brought his family to Hope, Kansas in 1876 from the Pomeranian area of Northern Germany in what is now Poland.