Last Name Law

The surname "Law" has multiple origins, primarily rooted in Old English, Old Norse, and Scottish Gaelic languages. In Old English, "Lawe" means meadow or pasture, from the element "lawu-." In Old Norse, "Lawr" also translates to law or meadow. The name could have been brought to England by Scandinavian settlers. In Scottish Gaelic, "Law" is an anglicized form of the native surname MacLaoidh, which means son of the poet or bard. These roots provide several possibilities for the origin of the surname Law, reflecting its diversity and historical usage across different regions and languages.

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The meaning and origin of the last name Law

The surname Law is an Anglo-Saxon patronymic name derived from the Old English word "lawe," which means "law" or "legal ruling." It was likely used as a nickname for someone who worked within the legal system, such as a judge or a scribe, or it could have been given as a metaphorical surname to describe someone who followed the law strictly. The name is most commonly found in England and Ireland. In Ireland, it is often anglicized from Gaelic names that mean "lofty" or "noble." The Law surname can also be traced back to various regions of Scotland, where it is spelled Lawrie or Laurie. It has been popular in Britain since the Middle Ages and has been borne by notable figures such as John Law, a Scottish economist who founded the Mississippi Company and played a significant role in the French financial system in the 18th century.

Geographical distribution of the last name Law

The surname Law is predominantly of English origin and has a widespread distribution within England, particularly in regions such as Yorkshire, Lancashire, and Lincolnshire. It's also commonly found in Scotland and Ireland. In the United States, the highest concentrations of individuals with the last name Law are in states like Texas, North Carolina, Kentucky, Ohio, and Missouri, reflecting historical patterns of migration from England and Ireland. The surname is also present in Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, and other countries with significant British or Scottish immigration. In some cases, variations such as Laugh, Lawes, and Laue may also be found due to spelling differences over time.

Variants and spellings of the last name Law

The surname Law has various spelling variations, including Law, Lawe, Lowe, and Lew. These differences may have arisen due to phonetic changes, regional dialects, or errors during transcription over time. In some cases, these variations can also indicate different origins, as they may be derived from various sources such as the Old English word "hlāw," meaning "hill," or the Norman French surname "Lebeau" which means "white." However, it's essential to note that these spellings might not always signify distinct family lines but can result from scribal errors, migration, and cultural influences.

Famous people with the last name Law

Notable individuals with the surname Law include:

* Bruce Lee (1940-1973), a Hong Kong-American martial artist, actor, philosopher, and founder of Jeet Kune Do. His films such as "Enter the Dragon" made him a global icon in the 1970s.
* Michael Caine (born 1933), an English actor who has appeared in over 140 films including "Alfie," "The Italian Job," and "Hannah and Her Sisters." He won two Academy Awards for Best Supporting Actor.
* Emma Law (born 1985), a British Paralympic athlete who competes in track and field events, winning multiple medals at the Paralympic Games and World Championships.
* Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson (born 1972), an American actor, producer, and former professional wrestler. He has starred in various successful films such as "The Fast and the Furious," "Jumanji," and "Moana."
* Ava Law (born 1994), a Canadian-Chinese model who won the Miss World Canada pageant in 2016, and represented Canada at the Miss World competition.

Genealogical research on the last name Law

The surname Law is of Old English origin, derived from the occupational name for a lawyer or legal advisor. It is believed to have been first used as a nickname for someone who was particularly shrewd or cunning.

The Law family can be traced back to medieval England, with early records showing the name in various spellings, such as Lawe and Ley. One of the earliest known bearers of the surname is Henry Lei, who lived during the reign of King Edward III (1327-1377).

The Law family migrated to Scotland during the 16th century, where they became a prominent Scottish clan based in Ayrshire. The Clan Law was later absorbed by the larger Clan Cunningham. Some members of the Law family also emigrated to Ireland during the same period.

In the 17th and 18th centuries, many Laws immigrated to America, primarily settling in the British colonies along the eastern seaboard. The surname is now widespread throughout the English-speaking world, with significant populations in Scotland, England, Ireland, Canada, Australia, and the United States. Notable individuals with the surname Law include Scottish politician John Law (1671-1729), who founded the Mississippi Bubble, and American actor Brian Law (born 1953).

Last name distribution maps

Sources & References

• INSEE statistics on the surname "Law"
• Global distribution of the surname on Forebears.io
• Wikipedia Article

About the author :

NomOrigine Team
Passionate about genealogy, name history, and linguistics, we have been analyzing the origins of names for over 3 years. Our content is based on verified historical, etymological, and statistical data.
Last updated : 28 July 2025

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