Surname Lowrey - Meaning and Origin
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Lowrey: What does the surname Lowrey mean?
The surname Lowrey is of English and Scottish origin, derived from Middle English and Old English terms: 'hlaw,' meaning 'hill,' and 'rae,' meaning 'roe' or 'deer.' Therefore, it can be interpreted as 'hill of the roes.' It's hypothesized that the surname was originally used as a nickname for someone who lived near a hill where roe deer were commonly found, or possibly a hunter of roe deer. Over time, this descriptive nickname became a familial surname passed down through generations. Lowrey is a variant spelling of the surnames Lowry, Lowrie, and Lourie. It's important to note that the interpretation of surnames is not an exact science and the meaning can vary based on cultural context and historical usage. Today, people with the Lowrey surname can be found primarily in the United States and the United Kingdom, as well as in other parts of the world. The surname reflects a connection to geographical features and wildlife in the landscape of medieval England and Scotland.
Order DNA origin analysisLowrey: Where does the name Lowrey come from?
The surname Lowrey is of English origin, from the Old English words 'hlaw' and 'rig', which mean 'hill' and 'ridge' respectively, and was typically given to those who lived near such geographical features. Alternatively, it could also be of Irish origin, as a variant of the name O'Leary. In this case, it originated from the Gaelic name 'Ó Laoghaire', which means ‘calf-herder’.
Today, the surname Lowrey is most prevalent in the United States, particularly in the Southern regions. It can also be found in the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, and other English-speaking countries. However, its highest density is reportedly in Northern Ireland, despite the overall larger quantity in the U.S, signifying a possible significant Irish influence or lineage for bearers of this surname. As with many surnames, the distribution has likely been influenced by historical migration patterns, particularly during and following periods of British colonialism.
Variations of the surname Lowrey
The surname Lowrey is of Irish origin and has many spelling variations due to the numerous phonetic spellings that evolved over time. These different spellings often occurred even within a single document, largely due to the scribe's decisions as he recorded the name.
Besides Lowrey, other spellings of this surname can include Lowry, Lowery, Lavery, Lory, Lowrie, Laurie, Laverty, and Lorrie. All these surnames have the same Gaelic derivation from the Old Irish personal name "Labraidh," which means "the speaker." The inclusion of 'O' as a prefix, such as in O'Lowry, O'Lavery, or O'Laverty can also be seen in some variations, denoting "grandson of" or "descendent of."
The surnames themselves are mostly concentrated in areas of Ireland, Scotland, and Northern England. It's essential to note that many Irish families also Anglicized their names, so it's possible that the surname could appear even further varied in records. In some places, the name may be spelled as Leary, which though pronounced similarly, has a completely different origin.
The Lowrey surname shares its origin with these various spellings and retains the same core meaning across its iterations.
Famous people with the name Lowrey
- Garry Lowrey, Australian actor
- Brene Brown, American author and professor
- Dan Lowrey, American basketball coach
- Cliff Lowrey, Canadian hockey player
- Julian Lowrey, Australian comedian
- Calum Lowrey, English television presenter
- W. F. Lowrey, American politician
- Yuri Lowrey, Scottish actor
- Jay Lowrey, American actor and producer
- Rob Lowrey, Canadian hockey player
- Trisha Lowrey, American interior designer
- Phil Lowrey, Australian surfer
- Scott Lowrey, Canadian television photographer
- Ken Lowrey, American actor and producer
- Clifford Lowrey, American politician
- Jack Lowrey, English footballer
- Jimmy Lowrey, American singer
- Daniel Lowrey, American actor and director
- Gary Lowrey, Australian Olympic cyclist
- Holly Lowrey, American artist and poet