Parent’s name

Lowery surname meaning

A northern English and Irish variant of Lowry: Irish Ó Labhradha, “descendant of Labhraidh” (spokesman), or Scottish/English pet forms of Lawrence.

Confidence: Disputed
US frequency: Rank 832 · 40,645 people
Common variants: Lowery, Lowry, Lowrey, Lavery, Lawrie

Confidence: Disputed. More than one origin is plausible, or sources disagree. We show the conflict rather than pick a cute answer.

The short story

Lowery is a northern English and Irish spelling of Lowry with two main origins. The Irish stream shortens Gaelic Ó Labhradha, “descendant of Labhraidh,” a byname meaning “spokesman” (compare Lavery). The Scottish and English stream treats Lowry/Lawrie as a pet form of Lawrence (Latin Laurentius). Lowrey and Lowrie are sister spellings. The surname is also established among Tuscarora and Lumbee families in North Carolina. Parent’s name fits both the Irish personal-name and Lawrence diminutive readings, but the split keeps confidence disputed.

Also seen as: Lowery, Lowry, Lowrey, Lavery, Lawrie

Sources used

Geneanet / DAFN entries for Lowery and Lowry (Ó Labhradha; Laury/Lawrie; Tuscarora/Lumbee note)
Geneanet / DAFN entry for Lavery (Labhraidh “spokesman”)
Names2020_LastNames_RaceHispanic_Top1000.xlsx (2020 Census)