Lawrence is an English-language surname. Notable people with the surname include:

A–D

Abbott Lawrence Abbott Lawrence (December 16, 1792, Groton, Massachusetts – August 18, 1855) was a prominent American businessman, politician, and philanthropist. He was among the group of industrialists that founded a settlement on the Merrimack River that ...

(1792–1855), a noted merchant and founder of Lawrence, Massachusetts *

, US representative from Massachusetts * Abraham Riker Lawrence (1832–1917), New York Supreme Court Justice *

Allan Lawrence (politician) Allan Frederick Lawrence, (November 8, 1925 – September 6, 2008) was a Canadian politician and served as both a provincial and federal cabinet minister. Provincial politics After practicing as a lawyer, Lawrence became a member of the Legi ...

(1925–2008), Ontario provincial MPP and federal MP *

Alonzo Lawrence Alonzo Lawrence (born October 15, 1989) is an American football defensive back who is currently a free agent. Lawrence first enrolled at the University of Alabama before transferring to the University of Southern Mississippi and lastly arriving at ...

(born 1989), American football player *

Amos Adams Lawrence Amos Adams Lawrence (July 31, 1814August 22, 1886) was an American businessman, philanthropist, and social activist. He was a key figure in the United States abolitionist movement in the years leading up to the Civil War and the growth of the E ...

(1814–1886), abolitionist and founder of the University of Kansas *

Amos Lawrence Amos Lawrence (April 22, 1786 – December 31, 1852) was an American merchant and philanthropist. Biography Amos Lawrence was born in Groton, Massachusetts. Lawrence attended elementary school in Groton and briefly attended the Groton Academy. ...

(1786–1852), Massachusetts philanthropist and politician * Andrew Lawrence (disambiguation) * Bert Lawrence (1923–2007), Ontario provincial MPP *

Bill Lawrence (TV producer) William Van Duzer Lawrence IV (born December 26, 1968) is an American screenwriter, producer, and director. He is the creator of the series '' Scrubs'' and co-creator of shows including ''Cougar Town'', ''Spin City'', '' Ground Floor'', ''Ted ...

, American screenwriter and the creator of Scrubs * Brenton Lawrence (born 1984), Australian Rugby League player *

Brian Lawrence Brian Michael Lawrence (born May 14, 1976) is an American former professional baseball starting pitcher. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the San Diego Padres and New York Mets. He is currently the pitching coach of the South Bend Cu ...

(born 1976), American baseball pitcher * Bruno Lawrence (1941–1995), New Zealand actor and musician *

Carmen Lawrence Carmen Mary Lawrence (born 2 March 1948) is an Australian academic and former politician who was the Premier of Western Australia from 1990 to 1993, the first woman to become the premier of an Australian state. A member of the Labor Party, sh ...

(b. 1948), Australian politician *

Carol Lawrence Carol Lawrence (born Carolina Maria Laraia; September 5, 1932) is an American actress, appearing in musical theatre and on television. She is known for creating the role of Maria on Broadway in the musical '' West Side Story'' (1957), receivin ...

, American actress most often associated with musical theatre *

Carolyn Lawrence Carolyn Lawrence (born February 13, 1967), is an American television, film and voice actress. She is known for her voice roles on Nickelodeon animated shows, including Sandy Cheeks on ''SpongeBob SquarePants'', Cindy Vortex on '' Jimmy Neutr ...

(born 1967), American voice actress *

Casey Lawrence Casey Lee Lawrence (born October 28, 1987), nicknamed "Twig", is an American professional baseball pitcher in the Toronto Blue Jays organization. He has previously played in MLB for the Blue Jays and Seattle Mariners, and for the Hiroshima Toyo C ...

(born 1987), American baseball pitcher * Charles Lawrence (British Army officer) (1709–1760), British military officer and later governor of Nova Scotia * Chris Lawrence (rugby league) (born 1988), Australian Rugby League player * Christopher Lawrence (disambiguation) * Claudia Lawrence, disappeared in York, England in 2009 *

Cornelius Van Wyck Lawrence Cornelius Van Wyck Lawrence (February 28, 1791 – February 20, 1861) was a politician from New York. He became the first popularly elected mayor of New York City after the law was changed in 1834. Early life Lawrence was born in Flushing, New Y ...

(1791–1861), Mayor of New York City, and US Congressman * Curly Lawrence (1883–1967), British model engineer * Cyril Lawrence (1920–2020), English footballer *

D. H. Lawrence David Herbert Lawrence (11 September 1885 – 2 March 1930) was an English writer, novelist, poet and essayist. His works reflect on modernity, industrialization, sexuality, emotional health, vitality, spontaneity and instinct. His best-k ...

(1885–1930), English author * Davey Lawrence (born 1985), English ice hockey goaltender * David Lawrence (disambiguation) *

David Lawrence (cricketer) David Valentine Lawrence (nicknamed Syd) (born 28 January 1964) is a former English cricketer, who played in five Tests and one ODI for England from 1988 to 1992. Lawrence was a popular, wholehearted and powerfully-built fast bowler, before ...

(born 1964), English cricketer * Debbi Lawrence (born 1961), American racewalker *

Derek Lawrence Derek John Lawrence (16 November 1941 – 13 May 2020) was an English record producer, famous for his work for Joe Meek's Outlaws, Deep Purple, Flash, Machiavel and Wishbone Ash. Lawrence came in contact with Meek circa at the end of 1963, ...

, English record producer * Dexter Lawrence (born 1997), American football player *

Don Lawrence Donald Southam Lawrence (17 November 1928 – 29 December 2003) was a British comic book artist and author. Lawrence is best known for his comic strips '' The Rise and Fall of the Trigan Empire'' in the British weeklies '' Ranger'' and '' Loo ...

(1928–2003), British comic book artist *

Dorothy Bell Lawrence Dorothy Bell Lawrence (September 14, 1911 – May 1973) was an American politician from New York. Life She was born Dorothy Fleming Bell on September 14, 1911, in Augusta, Georgia, the daughter of Harry Rushton Bell. She graduated from Augusta Tra ...

(1911–1973), New York assemblywoman * Doug Lawrence (jazz) (born 1956), jazz saxophonist with Count Basie Orchestra *

Doug Lawrence Douglas Lawrence Osowski, known professionally as Mr. Lawrence, is an American voice actor, writer, animator, storyboard artist, director, and comedian. He is best known for his work as a writer and voice actor for the Nicktoons ''Rocko's Mode ...

, a comic and voice talent * Douglas Lawrence, Australian organist, conductor, and choir director

E–J

* Edith Lawrence (1890–1973), British artist * Edward A. Lawrence (1831–1883), New York politician *

Effingham Lawrence Effingham Lawrence (March 2, 1820 – December 9, 1878) was an American politician known for serving for the shortest term in congressional history, serving for just one day in the U.S. House of Representatives. Biography Lawrence was bor ...

(1820–1878), US Congressman from Louisiana * Ellis F. Lawrence, architect and founder of the School of Architecture and Allied Arts at the University of Oregon *

Ernest O. Lawrence Ernest Orlando Lawrence (August 8, 1901 – August 27, 1958) was an American nuclear physicist and winner of the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1939 for his invention of the cyclotron. He is known for his work on uranium-isotope separation f ...

(1901–1958), Nobel Prize-winning physicist: best known for inventing the cyclotron, and his later work in the Manhattan Project * Eugene Lawrence (born 1986), American basketball player * Fenda Lawrence, 18th-century slave trader * Florence Lawrence (1886–1938), inventor and silent film actress from Hamilton, Ontario * Frances Lawrence (disambiguation) * Francis Lawrence (disambiguation) * Frederick William Lawrence (1892–1974), Canadian–American airbrush painter * Frederick Newbold Lawrence (1834–1916), American president of the New York Stock Exchange * Gaylon Lawrence (1934–2012), American businessman and farmer * Geoffrey Lawrence (disambiguation) * George Alfred Lawrence (1827–1876), English novelist *

George Newbold Lawrence George Newbold Lawrence (October 20, 1806 – January 17, 1895) was an American businessman and amateur ornithologist. Early life Lawrence was born in the city of New York on October 20, 1806. From his youth, Lawrence was a lover of birds and s ...

(1806–1895), American businessman and amateur ornithologist * George P. Lawrence, former U.S. Representative from Massachusetts * George St. Patrick Lawrence (1804–1884), English soldier *

George Van Eman Lawrence George Van Eman Lawrence (November 13, 1818 – October 2, 1904) was a Republican member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Pennsylvania. Biography George Van Eman Lawrence (son of Joseph Lawrence) was born in Washington County, P ...

(1818–1904), member of the United States House of Representatives from Pennsylvania *

Gertrude Lawrence Gertrude Lawrence (4 July 1898 – 6 September 1952) was an English actress, singer, dancer and musical comedy performer known for her stage appearances in the West End of London and on Broadway in New York. Early life Lawrence was born Gertr ...

(1898–1952), English actress and musical comedy performer * Hal Lawrence (1920–1994), Canadian naval officer, historian and author * Henry Arnold Lawrence (1848–1902), English rugby union player *

Henry Montgomery Lawrence Brigadier-General Sir Henry Montgomery Lawrence KCB (28 June 18064 July 1857) was a British military officer, surveyor, administrator and statesman in British India. He is best known for leading a group of administrators in the Punjab affectiona ...

(1806–1857) British soldier *

Herbert Lawrence General Sir Herbert Alexander Lawrence, (8 August 1861 – 17 January 1943) was a general in the British Army, a banker and a businessman. Early life Lawrence was born in London on 8 August 1861, the son of Sir John Laird Mair Lawrence, later ...

(1861–1943) British soldier * Holly Lawrence (born 1990), British triathlete * Iain Lawrence (born 1978), British film director and screenwriter *

Jacob Lawrence Jacob Armstead Lawrence (September 7, 1917 – June 9, 2000) was an American painter known for his portrayal of African-American historical subjects and contemporary life. Lawrence referred to his style as "dynamic cubism", although by his own ...

(1917–2000), American painter known for "dynamic cubism" style *

Jacqueline Lawrence (canoeist) Jacqueline "Jacqui" Lawrence (born 25 April 1982 in Cooma, New South Wales) is an Australian slalom canoeist and Olympic silver medallist, from Old Bonalbo, New South Wales. She competed at the international level from 2000 to 2008. At ...

, (born 1982), Australian slalom canoeist *

James Lawrence James Lawrence (October 1, 1781 – June 4, 1813) was an officer of the United States Navy. During the War of 1812, he commanded in a single-ship action against , commanded by Philip Broke. He is probably best known today for his last words, ...

(born 1992), English footballer *

(1781–1813), American naval captain and hero of the War of 1812 * Jennifer Lawrence (born 1990), American actress * Jennifer Lawrence (Stop the Steal), political activist * Joey Lawrence (born 1976), American comic actor * John Hundale Lawrence, a nuclear medicine pioneer, brother of Ernest O. Lawrence *

John L. Lawrence John L. Lawrence (October 2, 1785 – July 24, 1849) was an American lawyer, diplomat, and politician from New York. Early life John was born in New York City. He was the son of Jonathan Lawrence (1737–1812), a merchant and New York State Se ...

(1785–1849), New York politician *

John Lawrence, 1st Baron Lawrence John Laird Mair Lawrence, 1st Baron Lawrence, (4 March 1811 – 27 June 1879), known as Sir John Lawrence, Bt., between 1858 and 1869, was an English-born Ulsterman who became a prominent British Imperial statesman who served as Viceroy ...

(1811–79), British statesman *

Joseph Lawrence (Pennsylvania politician) Joseph Lawrence (1786April 17, 1842) was a member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Pennsylvania. Early life Joseph Lawrence (father of George Van Eman Lawrence) was born near Hunterstown, Pennsylvania. He moved with his widowed mo ...

(1786–1886), member of the United States House of Representatives from Pennsylvania *

Josie Lawrence Josie Lawrence (born Wendy Lawrence; 6 June 1959) is an English actress and comedian. She is best known for her work with the Comedy Store Players improvisational troupe, the television series '' Whose Line Is It Anyway?'' and as Manda Best in ...

(born 1959), English actress and comedian * Justin Lawrence (disambiguation), several people

K–S

* Katrina Lawrence, (born 1983), Australian slalom canoeist * Lawrence (1831 cricketer), an English cricketer whose first name is not known *

Liam Lawrence Liam Lawrence (born 14 December 1981) is a former professional footballer who played as a winger or central midfielder. Lawrence started his career at his local club Mansfield Town, after impressing at the Field Mill he signed for Sunderland ...

(born 1981), English-born Irish footballer * Liz Lawrence, English singer-songwriter and guitarist *

Margaret Morgan Lawrence Margaret Cornelia Morgan Lawrence (August 19, 1914 – December 4, 2019) was an American psychiatrist and psychoanalyst, gaining those qualifications in 1948. Her work included clinical care, teaching, and research, particularly into the presenc ...

(1914-2019), American psychiatrist *

Martin Lawrence Martin Fitzgerald LawrenceStated in interview on ''Inside the Actors Studio'' (born April 16, 1965) is an American comedian and actor. He came to fame during the 1990s, establishing a Hollywood career as a leading actor. He got his start playin ...

(born 1965), American actor and comedian * Mary Lawrence (actor) (1918–1991), American film and television actress and author * Mary Lawrence (sculptor) (1868–1945), American sculptor *

Matthew Lawrence Matthew William Lawrence (born February 11, 1980) is an American actor and singer, known for his roles in ''Mrs. Doubtfire'' and ''Boy Meets World''. Lawrence also starred in the series '' Brotherly Love'' with his real-life brothers Joey and An ...

, (born 1974), English footballer * Michael Lawrence (disambiguation) *

Mike Lawrence (bridge) Michael Steven Lawrence (born May 28, 1940)According to the State of California ( CA Birth Index). AFamily Tree Legends Retrieved 2009-07-02. is an American bridge player, teacher, theorist, and prolific writer. Biography Lawrence was born in San ...

(born 1940), American bridge player *

Mr. Lawrence Douglas Lawrence Osowski, known professionally as Mr. Lawrence, is an American voice actor, writer, animator, storyboard artist, director, and comedian. He is best known for his work as a writer and voice actor for the Nicktoons ''Rocko's Mode ...

, (born 1969), American actor * Nathaniel Lawrence (1761–1797), New York politician * Patrice Lawrence, British writer and journalist * Peter Lawrence (disambiguation), several people * Philip Lawrence (1947–1995), murdered headmaster of St. George's Roman Catholic School * Rashard Lawrence (born 1998), American football player * R. D. Lawrence, Canadian naturalist and writer *

Reginald Frederick Lawrence Reginald Frederick Lawrence FRSSAf (6 March 1897 in George, Western Cape – 9 October 1987 in Pietermaritzburg) was a South African arachnologist and myriapodologist at the South African Museum in Cape Town from 1922 until 1935, director of ...

, South African entomologist *

Robert Henry Lawrence Jr. Robert Henry Lawrence Jr. (October 2, 1935 – December 8, 1967) was a United States Air Force officer and the first African-American astronaut.ommonly_in_Qur'ānic_literature__'_is_a_biblical_figure_and_Patriarchs_(Bible).html" "title="Qur'ān ...

(1935–1967) the first Black American astronaut and member of the proposed Manned Orbiting Laboratory program of the U.S. Air Force *

Rosalyn Lawrence Rosalyn "Ros" Lawrence (born 12 June 1989) is an Australian slalom canoeist who has competed at the international level since 2006. She also competes in wildwater and creeking events. Lawrence won five medals at the ICF Canoe Slalom World Ch ...

, (born 1989), Australian slalom canoeist *

Sally Ward Lawrence Hunt Armstrong Downs Sally Ward Lawrence Hunt Armstrong Downs, also known as Sallie Ward, (September 29, 1827July 8, 1896) was a "Southern belle." Born into the Southern aristocracy of Kentucky in the Antebellum South, she married four times. After a failed marriage in ...

, also known as Sallie Ward, (1827–1896), American socialite. * Samuel Lawrence (disambiguation) * Samuel Lawrence (congressman) (1773–1837), New York politician *

Samuel Lawrence (Canadian politician) Samuel Lawrence (August 16, 1879 – October 25, 1959) was a Canadian politician and trade unionist. Lawrence was born in Somerset, England and went to work in a quarry at the age of 12 and became a shop steward in the Operative Stonemasons' ...

(1879–1959), Canadian politician *

Scott Lawrence Scott Lawrence (born September 27, 1963) is an American actor best known for his role as Cmdr. Sturgis Turner on the CBS series '' JAG''. Lawrence played the role from 2001 until 2005, when the series ended. He is also known for being the maj ...

(born 1963), American film and television actor and voice of Darth Vader in Star Wars video games *

Sharon Lawrence Sharon Elizabeth Lawrence (born June 29, 1961) is an American actress who played Sylvia Costas Sipowicz in the ABC drama series '' NYPD Blue''. The role garnered her three Primetime Emmy Award nominations for Outstanding Supporting Actress in ...

(born 1961), American television actress *

Murder of Stephen Lawrence Stephen Lawrence (13 September 1974 – 22 April 1993) was a black British teenager from Plumstead, southeast London, who was murdered in a racially motivated attack while waiting for a bus in Well Hall Road, Eltham on the evening of 22 Apri ...

Stringer Lawrence Major-General Stringer Lawrence (February 1698–10 January 1775) was an English soldier, the first Commander-in-Chief of Fort William. Origins Lawrence was born at Hereford, England, the son of John Lawrence of Hereford by his wife Mary, about ...

(1697–1775), English soldier * Syd Lawrence, British bandleader and founder of the Syd Lawrence Orchestra big band

T–Z

T. E. Lawrence Thomas Edward Lawrence (16 August 1888 – 19 May 1935) was a British archaeologist, army officer, diplomat, and writer who became renowned for his role in the Arab Revolt (1916–1918) and the Sinai and Palestine Campaign (1915–1918 ...

(1888–1935), British soldier and author ("Lawrence of Arabia") *

Tayna Lawrence Tayna Lawrence (born 17 September 1975 in Spanish Town, Jamaica) is a Track and field Sprint (running), sprint athlete, competing internationally for Jamaica. She is an Olympic gold medalist in the Athletics at the 2004 Summer Olympics – Wome ...

(born 1975), Jamaican athlete *

Thomas Lawrence Sir Thomas Lawrence (13 April 1769 – 7 January 1830) was an English portrait painter and the fourth president of the Royal Academy. A child prodigy, he was born in Bristol and began drawing in Devizes, where his father was an innkeeper at ...

(1769–1830), English portrait painter *

Tommy Lawrence Thomas Johnstone Lawrence (14 May 1940 – 10 January 2018) was a Scottish professional footballer who played as a goalkeeper for Liverpool and Tranmere Rovers from the 1950s to the 1970s. Lawrence was with Liverpool for 14 years, making more ...

(1940–2018), Scottish footballer * Toni Lawrence (born 1976), convicted of criminal confinement in the torture-murder of Shanda Sharer *

Tracy Lawrence Tracy Lee Lawrence (born January 27, 1968) is an American country music singer, songwriter, and record producer. Born in Atlanta, Texas, and raised in Foreman, Arkansas, Lawrence began performing at age 15 and moved to Nashville, Tennessee, in ...

, country singer and musician * Trevor Lawrence (born 1999), American football player * Trevor Lawrence (disambiguation), several other people *

Vicki Lawrence Vicki Ann Lawrence ( Axelrad; born March 26, 1949), sometimes credited as Vicki Lawrence Schultz, is an American actress, comedian, and singer. She is best known for her character Mama (Thelma Harper). Lawrence originated multitudes of charact ...

(born 1949), American actress, singer, and comedian * Washington H. Lawrence (1840–1900), founder of National Carbon Company * Wendell Lawrence (born 1967), Bahamian triple jumper * William Lawrence (disambiguation) * William Appleton Lawrence, 3rd Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Western Massachusetts * William Lawrence (biologist) (1783–1867), English surgeon and natural historian, a pre-Darwinian advocate of anthropoid origin of mankind *

William Lawrence (bishop) William Lawrence (May 30, 1850 – November 6, 1941) was elected as the 7th Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Massachusetts (1893–1927). Lawrence was the son of the notable textile industrialist Amos Adams Lawrence and a member of the influe ...

, the 7th Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Massachusetts *

William Lawrence (Ohio Democrat) William Lawrence (September 2, 1814 – September 8, 1895) was a Senator, Congressman, and member of the United States House of Representatives from the 17th District of Ohio. He also served as President of the board of directors of the Ohio ...

, member of the United States House of Representatives from the 17th District of Ohio *

William Lawrence (Ohio Republican) William Lawrence (June 26, 1819 – May 8, 1899) was a Republican lawyer and politician from Ohio. He was most noted for being a US Representative influential in attempting to impeach President Andrew Johnson, creating the United States Depa ...

, Republican politician from Ohio * William P. Lawrence (1930–2005), United States naval officer *

William Witherle Lawrence William Witherle Lawrence (1876 − July 25, 1958) was an American philologist who served as Professor of English at Columbia University from 1905 to 1936. Biography William Witherle Lawrence was born in Bangor, Maine in 1876. His father, Frankl ...

(1876–1936), American philologist

Fictional characters

*Carrie and Jack Lawrence, characters in the 1997 American comedy movie '' Fathers' Day'' *Eula Lawrence, playable character in the 2020 video game ''

Genshin Impact ''Genshin Impact'' is an action role-playing game developed and published by miHoYo. It was released for Android, iOS, PlayStation 4, and Windows in 2020, on PlayStation 5 in 2021, and is set for release on Nintendo Switch. The game feature ...

A–D

E–J

K–S

T–Z

Fictional characters

See also