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

Irish Irish may refer to: Common meanings * Someone or something of, from, or related to: ** Ireland, an island situated off the north-western coast of continental Europe ***Éire, Irish language name for the isle ** Northern Ireland, a constituent unit ...

surname In some cultures, a surname, family name, or last name is the portion of one's personal name that indicates one's family, tribe or community. Practices vary by culture. The family name may be placed at either the start of a person's full name ...

derived from the

Gaelic Gaelic is an adjective that means "pertaining to the Gaels". As a noun it refers to the group of languages spoken by the Gaels, or to any one of the languages individually. Gaelic languages are spoken in Ireland, Scotland, the Isle of Man, and Ca ...

''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 Ulaid (Old Irish, ) or Ulaidh (Modern Irish, ) was a Gaelic over-kingdom in north-eastern Ireland during the Middle Ages made up of a confederation of dynastic groups. Alternative names include Ulidia, which is the Latin form of Ulaid, and in ...

. 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 in both Scotland and Ireland, where it may be translated as ''sliocht'', meaning "progeny" or "seed", which 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 parish in County Down, Northern Ireland. It is in the northwest of the county, near the borders with counties Antrim and Armagh. The M1 motorway and Belfast–Dublin railway line are nearby. The population was 4, ...

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

County Antrim County Antrim (named after the town of Antrim, ) is one of six counties of Northern Ireland and one of the thirty-two counties of Ireland. Adjoined to the north-east shore of Lough Neagh, the county covers an area of and has a population o ...

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 (, named after its county town, Armagh) is one of the six counties of Northern Ireland and one of the traditional thirty-two counties of Ireland. Adjoined to the southern shore of Lough Neagh, the county covers an area of and ha ...

, where many moved to during the

Plantation of Ulster The Plantation of Ulster ( gle, Plandáil Uladh; Ulster-Scots: ''Plantin o Ulstèr'') was the organised colonisation (''plantation'') of Ulstera province of Irelandby people from Great Britain during the reign of King James I. Most of the sett ...

. 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 Armstrong may refer to: Places * Armstrong Creek (disambiguation), various places Antarctica * Armstrong Reef, Biscoe Islands Argentina * Armstrong, Santa Fe Australia * Armstrong, Victoria Canada * Armstrong, British Columbia * 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 ( ; sco, Gallowa; la, Gallovidia) is a region in southwestern Scotland comprising the historic counties of Wigtownshire and Kirkcudbrightshire. It is administered as part of the council area of Dumfries and Galloway. A native or i ...

Scotland Scotland (, ) is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Covering the northern third of the island of Great Britain, mainland Scotland has a border with England to the southeast and is otherwise surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean to the ...

. 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 (''Siorrachd Dhùn Phris'' in Gaelic) is a historic county and registration county in southern Scotland. The Dumfries lieutenancy area covers a similar area to the historic county. I ...

. 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 the six counties of Northern Ireland. The county covers an area of 1,691 km2 (653 sq mi) and has a population of 61,805 a ...

, who descend from the Lauries of

Maxwelltown Maxwelltown ( gd, Ceann Drochaid, 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. I ...

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

, 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 E ...

(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 a Northern Irish painter best known for his portraits and wartime depictions. Life and career John Lavery was born in inner North Belfast, baptised at St Patrick's Church, Belfast a ...

(1856–1941), Irish painter *

Hazel Lavery Hazel Lavery, Lady Lavery (née Martyn; 1880–1935) was a painter and the second wife of portrait artist Sir John Lavery. Her likeness appeared on banknotes of Ireland for much of the 20th century.Sinead McCoole, ''Hazel: A Life of Lady Lavery ...

(1880–1935), American–Irish painter, artist's model on Irish banknotes * Father

Sean Lavery Sean Lavery (1931–1999) was a Roman Catholic priest for the Missionary Society of St. Columban ("''The Columbans''") and a church music director. Lavery was born in Lurgan, County Armagh. Shortly after his ordination in 1954, Father Lavery mo ...

(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 fo ...

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

Politics

Cecil Lavery Cecil Patrick Linton Lavery (6 October 1894 – 17 December 1967) was an Irish lawyer, judge and politician who served as a Judge of the Supreme Court of Ireland, Supreme Court from 1950 to 1966 and Attorney General of Ireland from 1948 to 1950. ...

(1894–1967), Irish politician and judge *

Frederick Lavery Frederick Richard Hugh Lavery (13 February 1898 – 12 January 1971) was an Australian trade unionist and politician who was a Labor Party member of the Legislative Council of Western Australia from 1952 to 1971. Lavery was born in Coolgardie ...

(1898–1971), Australian trade unionist and politician *

Ian Lavery Ian Lavery (born 6 January 1963) is a British Labour Party politician who has served as the Member of Parliament (MP) for Wansbeck since 2010. He served as the Chair of the Labour Party under Jeremy Corbyn from 2017 to 2020 and was President ...

(born 1963), British trade unionist and politician

Sport

* Patrick Lavery (1884–1915), English footballer *

Philip Lavery Philip Lavery (born 17 August 1990, in Dublin) is an Irish racing cyclist who most recently rode for the team. Lavery won the 2010 Tour of the North and won a bronze medal at the 2010 Commonwealth Games in India, as part of the Northern Irish te ...

(born 1990), Irish cyclist

Other

Dave Lavery Dave Lavery (born May 28, 1959) is an American scientist and roboticist who is the Program Executive for Solar System Exploration at NASA Headquarters. He also is a member of the ''FIRST'' Executive Advisory Board, and is well-known among parti ...

(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 marrie ...

, 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, 20 ...

'' *

William Edward Lavery William Edward Lavery (November 20, 1930 – February 16, 2009) was the 12th President of Virginia Tech. He served from January 1, 1975 to December 31, 1987. Biography Born in Geneseo, New York, he earned his bachelor's degree from Michig ...

(1930–2009), president of

Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University Virginia Tech (formally the Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University and informally VT, or VPI) is a public land-grant research university with its main campus in Blacksburg, Virginia. It also has educational facilities in six regi ...

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

Lowrys

Calvin Lowry Calvin Sinclair Lowry (born February 13, 1983) is an American football coach and former player. Early years Lowry starred at wide receiver and defensive back at Douglas Byrd High School in Fayetteville, North Carolina. Playing career He playe ...

, American football player *

Dave Lowry David John Lowry (born February 14, 1965) is a Canadian ice hockey coach and former professional player. He is currently an associate coach with the Seattle Kraken of the National Hockey League (NHL). He played in the NHL from 1985 to 2004. Lowr ...

, ice hockey player * Flora E. Lowry (1879–1933), American anthologist * Hiram Harrison Lowry, American Methodist missionary to China *

Heath W. Lowry Heath Ward Lowry (born 23 December 1942) is the Atatürk Professor of Ottoman and Modern Turkish Studies emeritus at Princeton University and Bahçeşehir University. He is an author of books about the history of the Ottoman Empire and Modern Tur ...

, historian *

Henry Berry Lowrie Henry Berry Lowry ( – unknown after 1872) was an American outlaw. A Lumbee Native American, he led the Lowry Gang in North Carolina during and after the American Civil War. Many local North Carolinians remember him as a Robin Hood figure. Lowry ...

, Confederate outlaw *

Henry Dawson Lowry Henry Dawson Lowry (22 February 1869 – 21 October 1906) was an English journalist, short story writer, novelist and poet. Early life Lowry was born at Truro, as the eldest son of Thomas Shaw Lowry, bank clerk at Truro, afterwards bank manager ...

, English journalist * James Lowry, Jr., mayor of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania *

Joseph Wilson Lowry Joseph Wilson Lowry (1803–1879) was an English engraver. He was the son of Wilson Lowry and his second wife Rebecca Delvalle and was born on 7 October 1803. His mother's sister, Abigail, was mother of the economist David Ricardo.David Ricardo, ...

, 18th century engraver *

Kyle Lowry Kyle Terrell Lowry (born March 25, 1986) is an American professional basketball player for the Miami Heat of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He has been a six-time NBA All-Star and was named to the All-NBA Third Team in 2016. Lowry ...

, American basketball player *

L. S. Lowry Laurence Stephen Lowry ( ; 1 November 1887 – 23 February 1976) was an English artist. His drawings and paintings mainly depict Pendlebury, Lancashire (where he lived and worked for more than 40 years) as well as Salford and its vicinity ...

, 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; March 20, 1937) is an American writer. She is the author of several books for children and young adults, including ''The Giver Quartet,'' ''Number the Stars'', and ''Rabble Starkey.'' She is known for writing a ...

, 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 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 Thomas Martin Lowry (; 26 October 1874 – 2 November 1936) was an English physical chemist who developed the Brønsted–Lowry acid–base theory simultaneously with and independently of Johannes Nicolaus Brønsted and was a founder-member an ...

, chemist *

Michael Lowry 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 constituency. He previously served as Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications from 1 ...

, Irish politician *

Noah Lowry Noah Ryan Lowry (born October 10, 1980) is an American former professional baseball pitcher. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the San Francisco Giants from 2003 to 2007. College and the MLB Draft Lowry was first drafted out of Nordhof ...

, baseball pitcher * Oliver Lowry, a biochemist *

Ray Lowry Ray Lowry (28 August 1944 – 14 October 2008) was an English cartoonist, illustrator and satirist, possessing a highly distinctive style and wit. He contributed to ''The Guardian'', ''Private Eye'', ''Punch'', ''Tatler'' and '' NME'', among ma ...

, cartoonist, musician *

Rich Lowry Richard Lowry (; born August 22, 1968) is an American writer who is 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 ''N ...

, 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) Robert Lowry (March 12, 1826 – 25 November 1899) was an American preacher who became a popular writer of gospel music in the mid- to late-19th century. His best-known hymns include " Shall We Gather at the River", "Christ Arose!", "How Can I Ke ...

(1826–1899), American professor of literature, Baptist minister and composer of gospel hymns *

Robert Lowry (Indiana) Robert Lowry (April 2, 1824 – January 27, 1904) was a U.S. Representative from Indiana. Born in Killyleagh, County Down, Ireland, Lowry immigrated to the United States and settled in Rochester, New York. He was educated in private schools a ...

(1824–1904), American politician, U.S. Representative from Indiana *

Robert Lowry (writer) Robert James Collas Lowry (March 28, 1919 – December 5, 1994) was an American novelist, short story writer, illustrator, and independent press publisher. Lowry was born in Cincinnati, Ohio. He was a literary wunderkind who began writing at th ...

(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. Knighted in 1971, he was created a life peer as Baron Lowry, of Crossgar ...

(1919–1999), Lord Chief Justice of Northern Ireland and a Lord of Appeal in Ordinary *

Robert Lowry (Royal Navy officer) Admiral Sir Robert Swinburne Lowry (4 March 1854 – 29 May 1920) was a Royal Navy officer who became Admiral Commanding on the Coast of Scotland. Early life Lowry was the eldest son of Emily Rohesia (née Ward) and Lieutenant General Rob ...

(1854–1920), British admiral *

Robert William Lowry Robert William Lowry (17 November 1912 – 7 December 1963) was a New Zealand printer, publisher, typographer and teacher. Biography Lowry was born in Paeroa, New Zealand, on 17 November 1912. He was the eldest child of Janet (Jessie) Crai ...

, printer *

Shane Lowry (footballer) Shane Thomas Lowry (born 12 June 1989) is an Australian professional footballer who plays as a defender for the Malaysia Super League club Johor Darul Ta'zim and the Australia national team. His previous clubs include Millwall, Perth Glory, ...

, Australian/Irish footballer *

Shane Lowry (golfer) Shane Lowry (born 2 April 1987) is an Irish professional golfer who plays on the European Tour and the PGA Tour. His notable achievements include winning the 2019 Open Championship, the Irish Open as an amateur in 2009, and the 2015 WGC-Brid ...

, Irish golfer *

Sylvanus Lowry Sylvanus B. Lowry (July 24, 1824 – 1865) was an American Democratic political boss, newspaper publisher and pioneer in St. Cloud, Minnesota before the American Civil War. He moved there from Kentucky, bringing slaves with him as laborers. He w ...

, American politician *

Thomas Lowry Thomas Lowry (February 27, 1843 – February 4, 1909) was an American lawyer, real-estate magnate, and businessman who oversaw much of the early growth of the streetcar lines in the Twin Cities area of Minneapolis, St. Paul, and surrounding com ...

, businessman * Tommy Lowry, English footballer

Lowery

Bill Lowery (politician) William David Lowery (born May 2, 1947) is an American politician and lobbyist from California. A Republican, he served six terms in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1981 to 1993. Prior to Election Bill Lowery was born May 2, 1947, in Sa ...

(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 Lowery (born December 15, 1971) is an American musician, songwriter and producer, best known as the lead guitarist and backing vocalist of 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 band from Atlanta, Georgia, formed in 1994 by bassist Vince Hornsby, drummer Morgan Rose and rhythm guitarist John Connolly. After their first demo, lead vocalist Lajon Witherspoon and lead guitarist Clint Lowery ...

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 Dar ...

(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. The ...

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 debut al ...

* David Lowery * Evelyn G. Lowery *

Fred L. Lowery Fred may refer to: People * Fred (name), including a list of people and characters with the name Mononym * Fred (cartoonist) (1931–2013), pen name of Fred Othon Aristidès, French * Fred (footballer, born 1949) (1949–2022), Frederico R ...

(born 1943),

Southern Baptist The Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) is a Christian denomination based in the United States. It is the world's largest Baptist denomination, and the largest Protestant and second-largest Christian denomination in the United States. The word ...

clergy Clergy are formal leaders within established religions. Their roles and functions vary in different religious traditions, but usually involve presiding over specific rituals and teaching their religion's doctrines and practices. Some of the ter ...

man and author * George H. Lowery Jr. (1913-1978), American ornithologist * Finn Lowery (1990–2019), New Zealand water polo player * Hugh Lowery (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 John is a common English name and surname: * John (given name) * John (surname) John may also refer to: New Testament Works * Gospel of John, a title often shortened to John * First Epistle of John, often shortened to 1 John * Second ...

(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 came to prominence as the lead singer of the band which shares his name, of which he remains the only constant member since it ...

and

Rob Zombie Rob Zombie (born Robert Bartleh Cummings; January 12, 1965) is an American musician, singer, songwriter, record producer, filmmaker, and voice actor. His music and lyrics are notable for their horror and sci-fi themes, and his live shows have be ...

Joseph Lowery Joseph Echols Lowery (October 6, 1921 – March 27, 2020) was an American minister in the United Methodist Church and leader in the civil rights movement. He founded the Southern Christian Leadership Conference with Martin Luther King Jr. and ot ...

(1921-2020), American minister and civil rights leader *Lee L. Lowery, Jr. (1938), Texas A&M University Engineering Professor (1967-2023) * Lillian M. Lowery, superintendent of the Maryland State Department of Education *

Mark Lowery Mark Dale Lowery (born March 28, 1957) is an American politician. He serves as a Republican member for the 39th district of the Arkansas House of Representatives. Lowery has a Master's degree from the University of Arkansas. In 2013, Lowery was ...

(born 1957), member of the

Arkansas House of Representatives The Arkansas State House of Representatives is the lower house of the Arkansas General Assembly, the state legislature of the US state of Arkansas. The House is composed of 100 members elected from an equal amount of constituencies across the ...

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. Early life Born in Kansas City, Missouri, Lowery grew up on Wayne ...

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

African-American African Americans (also referred to as Black Americans and Afro-Americans) are an Race and ethnicity in the United States, ethnic group consisting of Americans with partial or total ancestry from sub-Saharan Africa. The term "African American ...

New York City Fire Commissioner The New York City Fire Commissioner is the civilian administrator of the New York City Fire Department (FDNY), appointed by the Mayor of the City of New York. There have been 34 commissioners excluding Acting Fire Commissioners, and 38 commission ...

* Savannah Lowery, New York City Ballet soloist *

Terrell Lowery Quenton Terrell Lowery (born October 25, 1970) is an American former baseball player for the Chicago Cubs, Tampa Bay Devil Rays, and San Francisco Giants. High school Lowery attended Oakland Technical High School, graduating with a 25-points pe ...

(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 * Vaughn Lowery, actor and model

References

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