Lavery, also spelled Lowry, Lowrie, Lory, Lavoy and Lowery, is an Irish

surname In many societies, a surname, family name, or last name is the mostly hereditary portion of one's personal name that indicates one's family. It is typically combined with a given name to form the full name of a person, although several give ...

derived from the

Gaelic Gaelic (pronounced for Irish Gaelic and for Scots Gaelic) is an adjective that means "pertaining to the Gaels". It may refer to: Languages * Gaelic languages or Goidelic languages, a linguistic group that is one of the two branches of the Insul ...

''Ó Labhradha'', meaning the "descendants of Labhradha". The Ó Labhradha descend from Labhradh, who was the father of Etru, chief of the Monagh, a people belonging to the Irish over-kingdom of

Ulaid (Old Irish, ) or (Irish language, Modern Irish, ) was a Gaelic Ireland, Gaelic Provinces of Ireland, over-kingdom in north-eastern Ireland during the Middle Ages made up of a confederation of dynastic groups. Alternative names include , which ...

. At the time of Etru's death in 1056, the

sept A sept () is a division of a family, especially of a Scottish or Irish family. The term is used both in Scotland and in Ireland, where it may be translated as Irish , meaning "progeny" or "seed", and may indicate the descendants of a person ...

was located in the area of ''Magh Rath'' (present-day

Moira, County Down Moira () is a village and Civil parishes in Ireland, civil parish in County Down, Northern Ireland. It is in the northwest of the county, near the border with counties County Antrim, Antrim and County Armagh, Armagh. The M1 motorway (Northern I ...

). It is in this area as well as the adjoining part of

County Antrim County Antrim (named after the town of Antrim, County Antrim, Antrim, ) is one of the six counties of Northern Ireland, located within the historic Provinces of Ireland, province of Ulster. Adjoined to the north-east shore of Lough Neagh, the c ...

where the surname is still most common. A strong concentration of them can also be found in the Montiaghs district of

County Armagh County Armagh ( ) is one of the six counties of Northern Ireland and one of the traditional thirty-two counties of Ireland. It is located in the Provinces of Ireland, province of Ulster and adjoins the southern shore of Lough Neagh. It borders t ...

, where many moved to during the

Plantation of Ulster The Plantation of Ulster (; Ulster Scots dialects, Ulster Scots: ) was the organised Settler colonialism, colonisation (''Plantation (settlement or colony), plantation'') of Ulstera Provinces of Ireland, province of Irelandby people from Great ...

. Due to the number of Laverys in these areas they had to adopt monikers to distinguish between them, as such there were three distinct branches: the Baun-Laverys, from the Irish word ''bán'', meaning "white"; the Roe-Laverys, from the Irish word ''rua'', meaning "red"; and the Trin-Laverys, from the Irish word ''tréan'', meaning "strong". The Trin-Laverys often mistranslated their name into English as Armstrong. An example of the adoption of Armstrong is Dr. John Armstrong who was born Trenlavery. Some of those who are Lowrys may descend from the ''Mac Labharaigh'' of

Galloway Galloway ( ; ; ) is a region in southwestern Scotland comprising the counties of Scotland, historic counties of Wigtownshire and Kirkcudbrightshire. It is administered as part of the council areas of Scotland, council area of Dumfries and Gallow ...

Scotland Scotland is a Countries of the United Kingdom, country that is part of the United Kingdom. It contains nearly one-third of the United Kingdom's land area, consisting of the northern part of the island of Great Britain and more than 790 adjac ...

. Many of the Lowrys and Lowries in Ulster descend likewise from Scotland, where their names are variants of Laurie, a diminutive of Lawrence, common in

Dumfriesshire Dumfriesshire or the County of Dumfries or Shire of Dumfries () is a Counties of Scotland, historic county and registration county in southern Scotland. The Dumfries lieutenancy areas of Scotland, lieutenancy area covers a similar area to the hi ...

. Notable amongst these Lowrys are the Earls of Belmore in

County Fermanagh County Fermanagh ( ; ) is one of the thirty-two counties of Ireland, one of the nine counties of Ulster and one of six counties of Northern Ireland. The county covers an area of and had a population of 63,585 as of 2021. Enniskillen is the ...

, who descend from the Lauries of

Maxwelltown Maxwelltown (, IPA: �kʰʲaun̴̪ˈt̪ɾɔxətʲ was formerly a burgh of barony and police burgh and by the time of the burgh's abolition in 1929 it was the most populous burgh in the county of Kirkcudbrightshire, Scotland. In 1929 Maxwellto ...

Kirkcudbrightshire Kirkcudbrightshire ( ) or the County of Kirkcudbright or the Stewartry of Kirkcudbright is one of the Counties of Scotland, historic counties of Scotland, covering an area in the south-west of the country. Until 1975, Kirkcudbrightshire was an ...

, Scotland.

Notable people

Laverys

Arts and entertainment

Bryony Lavery Bryony Lavery (born 1947) is a British dramatist, known for her successful and award-winning 1998 play '' Frozen''. In addition to her work in theatre, she has also written for television and radio. She has written books including the biography ...

(born 1947), British dramatist *

Emmet Lavery Emmet Godfrey Lavery (November 8, 1902 – January 1, 1986) was an American playwright and screenwriter. Born in Poughkeepsie, Lavery trained as a lawyer, before devoting his career to the theatre and to film. He wrote the English libretto for ...

(1902–1986), American playwright and screenwriter * Emmet G. Lavery, Jr. (1927–2014), American TV and film producer * Fred Lavery (born 1955), Canadian singer–songwriter and music producer * Sir

John Lavery Sir John Lavery (20 March 1856 – 10 January 1941) was an Irish painter best known for his portraits and wartime depictions. Life and career John Lavery was born in inner North Belfast, on 20 March 1856 and baptised at St Patrick's Church ...

(1856–1941), Irish painter * Hazel Lavery (1880–1935), American–Irish painter, artist's model on Irish banknotes * Father Sean Lavery (1931–1999), Irish priest and music director *

Sean Lavery (dancer) Sean Lavery (August 16, 1956 in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania – February 26, 2018 in Palm Springs, California) was a former principal dancer, balletmaster, and assistant to the balletmaster in chief at New York City Ballet. He was a répétiteur for ...

(1956–2018), American ballet dancer and ballet master

Politics

* Cecil Lavery (1894–1967), Irish politician and judge * Frederick Lavery (1898–1971), Australian trade unionist and politician *

Ian Lavery Ian Lavery (born 6 January 1963) is a British Labour Party (UK), Labour Party politician who has served as Member of Parliament (United Kingdom), Member of Parliament (MP) for Blyth and Ashington (UK Parliament constituency), Blyth and Ashingto ...

(born 1963), British trade unionist and politician

Sport

* Patrick Lavery (1884–1915), English footballer * Philip Lavery (born 1990), Irish cyclist

Other

* Dave Lavery (born 1959), American roboticist *

Ryan Lavery Ryan Lavery is a fictional character from the American daytime drama ''All My Children'', as portrayed by Cameron Mathison from 1998 to 2002 and from 2003 to 2011. He has a daughter with ex-wife Annie Lavery, a son with Kendall Hart, and is marr ...

, character in the American TV drama ''

All My Children ''All My Children'' (often shortened to ''AMC'') is an American television soap opera that aired on American Broadcasting Company, ABC from January 5, 1970, to September 23, 2011, and on The Online Network (TOLN) from April 29 to September 2, 2 ...

'' * William Edward Lavery (1930–2009), president of

Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University The Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, commonly referred to as Virginia Tech (VT), is a Public university, public Land-grant college, land-grant research university with its main campus in Blacksburg, Virginia, United States ...

, Blacksburg, Virginia, United States * William J. Lavery (born 1938), judge in Connecticut, United States

Lowrys

* Calvin Lowry, American football player * Dave Lowry, ice hockey player * Flora E. Lowry (1879–1933), American anthologist *

Hiram Harrison Lowry Hiram Harrison Lowry (May 29, 1843 – January 13, 1924) was an educator, Methodist clergyman and college president in China. Early life Lowry was born on May 29, 1843, in Zanesville, Ohio, to Hiram and Margaret née Speare. He graduated ...

, American Methodist missionary to China * Heath W. Lowry, historian * Henry Berry Lowrie, Confederate outlaw * Henry Dawson Lowry, English journalist * James Lowry, Jr., mayor of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania * Joseph Wilson Lowry, 18th century engraver *

Kyle Lowry Kyle Terrell Lowry (born March 25, 1986) is an American professional basketball player for the Philadelphia 76ers of the National Basketball Association (NBA). A six-time All-Star, he was named to the All-NBA Third Team in 2016 and won an NBA c ...

, American basketball player * L. S. Lowry, British artist/painter *

Leonard Lowry Leonard George Lowry (1884 – 21 November 1947) was a New Zealand politician of the Labour Party. Biography Early life and career He was born in London in 1884. He entered the Civil Service but resigned so that he could travel abroad, settli ...

(1884–1947), New Zealand politician *

Lois Lowry Lois Ann Lowry (; née Hammersberg; born March 20, 1937) is an American writer. She is the author of many books for children and young adults, including '' The Giver Quartet'', '' Number the Stars'', the Anastasia series, and '' Rabble Starkey''. ...

, author *

Malcolm Lowry Clarence Malcolm Lowry (; 28 July 1909 – 26 June 1957) was an English poet and novelist who is best known for his 1947 novel ''Under the Volcano'', which was voted No. 11 in the Modern Library's 100 Best Novels list.

, author and poet *

Mark Lowry Mark Alan Lowry (born June 24, 1958) is an American singer, comedian, minister and songwriter. He is best known for co-writing the song " Mary, Did You Know?" and being a member of the Gaither Vocal Band from 1988 to 2001, and 2009 to 2013, alo ...

, comedian * Martin Lowry, chemist *

Michael Lowry (politician) Michael Lowry (born 13 March 1953) is an Irish independent politician who has served as a Teachta Dála (TD) since 1987, currently for the Tipperary North constituency. He previously served as Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications ...

, Irish politician * Noah Lowry, baseball pitcher * Oliver Lowry, a biochemist * Ray Lowry, cartoonist, musician *

Rich Lowry Richard A. Lowry (; born August 22, 1968) is an American writer, and the former editor and now editor-in-chief of ''National Review'', an American Conservatism in the United States, conservative news and opinion magazine. Lowry became editor of ...

, editor and columnist *

Robert Lowry (governor) Robert Lowry (March 10, 1829January 19, 1910) was an American politician and lawyer who served as the 32nd governor of Mississippi from 1882 to 1890. Before entering politics, he was a senior officer of the Confederate States Army who commanded ...

(1831–1910), American politician, governor of Mississippi * Robert Lowry (hymn writer) (1826–1899), American professor of literature, Baptist minister and composer of gospel hymns * Robert Lowry (Indiana) (1824–1904), American politician, U.S. Representative from Indiana * Robert Lowry (writer) (1919–1994), American novelist, short story writer and independent press publisher *

Robert Lowry, Baron Lowry Robert Lynd Erskine Lowry, Baron Lowry, PC, PC (NI) (30 January 1919 – 15 January 1999), was a Lord Chief Justice of Northern Ireland and a Lord of Appeal in Ordinary. He was knighted in 1971 and created a life peer in 1979. The son ...

(1919–1999), Lord Chief Justice of Northern Ireland and a Lord of Appeal in Ordinary * Robert Lowry (Royal Navy officer) (1854–1920), British admiral * Robert William Lowry (printer), printer * Shane Lowry (footballer), Australian/Irish footballer * Shane Lowry (golfer), Irish golfer * Sylvanus Lowry, American politician * Thomas Lowry, businessman * Tommy Lowry, English footballer

Lowery

* Bill Lowery (politician) (born 1947), U.S. Republican politician from California *

Bill Lowery (record producer) Bill Lowery (October 21, 1924 – June 8, 2004) was an American music entrepreneur. Early successes Lowery was born in Leesville, Louisiana. He studied radio dramatics at Taft Junior College and went on to a number of radio-announcing jobs. At ...

(1924–2004), American music entrepreneur *

Clint Lowery Clint Edward Lowery (born December 15, 1971) is an American musician, songwriter and producer, best known as a guitarist and backing vocalist in the rock band Sevendust. He has also played in Dark New Day and Still Rain, and served as the tourin ...

(born 1971), guitarist of the rock band

Sevendust Sevendust is an American Rock music, rock band from Atlanta, Georgia, formed in 1994 by bassist Vinnie Hornsby, drummer Morgan Rose and guitarist John Connolly (musician), John Connolly. After their first demo, lead vocalist Lajon Witherspoon an ...

Corey Lowery Corey French Lowery is an American musician, songwriter, record producer and engineer. He is the guitarist and backing vocalist for South African rock band Seether, and a former member of Saint Asonia, Stuck Mojo, Stereomud, Eye Empire, and Dark ...

(born 1973), bass guitarist of

Eye Empire Eye Empire was an American rock band formed in 2009, consisting of Corey Lowery and B.C. Kochmit, Donald Carpenter, Garrett Whitlock and Dixie Duncan. Will Hunt joined the band in 2010 before departing in 2011, replaced by Ryan Bennett. ...

Saint Asonia Saint Asonia (stylized as SΔINT ΔSONIΔ) is a Canadian-American rock supergroup consisting of lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist Adam Gontier, lead guitarist Mike Mushok, bassist and backing vocalist Cale Gontier, and drummer Cody Watkins. ...

, and previously

Dark New Day Dark New Day was an American hard rock supergroup formed in 2004 featuring Brett Hestla of Virgos Merlot, Clint Lowery of Sevendust, Troy McLawhorn of DoubleDrive, Corey Lowery of Stereomud and Stuck Mojo, and Will Hunt of Skrape. Their ...

Damon Lowery Damon Lowery (born November 13, 1967) is an American former professional basketball player. He played college basketball for the University of Alaska Southeast before playing his entire professional career in Australia. He played in the South E ...

(born 1967), American basketball player * David Lowery * Evelyn G. Lowery (1925–2013), American civil rights activist and leader * George H. Lowery Jr. (1913-1978), American ornithologist * Finn Lowery (1990–2019), New Zealand water polo player *

Hugh Lowery Hugh Lowery (July 19, 1892 – September 5, 1972) was an American football player. He played at the tackle position for the 1920 Detroit Heralds during the first regular season of the National Football League (NFL), then known as the Ameri ...

(1892–1972), American football player * Ian Lowery (1956–2001), English musician * James Lowery, several people of that name * Joan Lowery Nixon (1927-2003), American journalist and author * John Lowery (born 1971), American guitarist with

Marilyn Manson Brian Hugh Warner (born January 5, 1969), known professionally as Marilyn Manson, is an American rock musician. He is the lead singer and the only original member remaining of the Marilyn Manson (band), same-titled band he founded in 1989. Th ...

and

Rob Zombie Robert Bartleh Cummings (born January 12, 1965), known professionally as Rob Zombie, is an American singer, songwriter, record producer, filmmaker, and actor. His music and lyrics are notable for their horror and sci-fi themes, and his live show ...

* Joseph Lowery (1921-2020), American minister and civil rights leader * Lillian M. Lowery, superintendent of the Maryland State Department of Education * Mark Lowery (1957–2023), member of the

Arkansas House of Representatives The Arkansas House of Representatives is the lower house of the Arkansas General Assembly, the state legislature of the US state of Arkansas. The House has 100 members elected from an equal number of constituencies across the state. Each distr ...

Robert Lowery (actor) Robert Lowery (born Robert Lowery Hanks, October 17, 1913 – December 26, 1971) was an American motion picture, television, and stage actor who appeared in more than 70 films. He was the second actor to play Batman, appearing as the character in ...

(1913-1971), American actor * Robert O. Lowery, the first

African-American African Americans, also known as Black Americans and formerly also called Afro-Americans, are an American racial and ethnic group that consists of Americans who have total or partial ancestry from any of the Black racial groups of Africa. ...

New York City Fire Commissioner The New York City fire commissioner is the civilian administrator of the New York City Fire Department (FDNY), and is appointed by the mayor of the City of New York. Prior to 1865, the New York City Fire Department was staffed by volunteers. On ...

* Savannah Lowery, New York City Ballet soloist * Terrell Lowery (born 1970), American professional baseball player and college basketball player * Tom Lowery (born 1997), English footballer * Tony Lowery (born 1961), English footballer * Tony Lowery (born 1969), American football player

References

{{surname Ulaid