Laundray History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Ireland

Etymology of Laundray

What does the name Laundray mean?

The name Laundray finds its origins with the ancient Anglo-Saxons of England. It was given to one who worked as a person or officer who was in charge of washing derived from the Middle English word "lavendrie." 1 2

However other source disagree. One course claims the name is a "descendant of Landry (country, powerful)" 3 and another claims the name is from the "Anglo-Saxon, a landríca, specifically a â€˜lord of the manor,â€™ â€˜landlord,â€™ â€˜ local magnate.â€™ " 4

Early Origins of the Laundray family

The surname Laundray was first found in the Domesday Book of 1086 where Landri and Landricus were registered. 5 Later, Gerard Landri was listed in the Pipe Rolls for Devon in 1198. In Lincolnshire, Willelmus filius Landrei was registered in the Curia Regis Rolls for 1219 and later in Somerset, Ricardus de la Lavendaria was listed in the Curia Regis Rolls for 1219. Again in Somerset, Robert de la Lauendrie was listed in the Assize Rolls for 1278. 1

In Somerset, we found these early entries, 1 Edward III (during the reign of King Edward III): William le Lavender, Somerset; and Roger atte Louendrye, Somerset. 6

"This surname has crossed the Atlantic and flourishes in the States, although all but extinct in England." 2

Early History of the Laundray family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Laundray research. Another 82 words (6 lines of text) covering the year 1086 is included under the topic Early Laundray History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Laundray Spelling Variations

The English language only became standardized in the last few centuries; therefore, spelling variations are common among early Anglo-Saxon names. As the form of the English language changed, even the spelling of literate people's names evolved. Laundray has been recorded under many different variations, including Landry, Landray, Landrey, Laundry and others.

Early Notables of the Laundray family

More information is included under the topic Early Laundray Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Laundray family to Ireland

Some of the Laundray family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt. More information about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Laundray family

For many English families, the political and religious disarray that shrouded England made the far away New World an attractive prospect. On cramped disease-ridden ships, thousands migrated to those British colonies that would eventually become Canada and the United States. Those hardy settlers that survived the journey often went on to make important contributions to the emerging nations in which they landed. Analysis of immigration records indicates that some of the first North American immigrants bore the name Laundray or a variant listed above: a large family of Landry who settled in Oxford in Maryland in 1763; including Charles, Elaine, Elizabeth, Jean, Joseph his wife Mary; Judith, Margaret, Marie, and Simon. In Newfoundland, John Landry settled in St. John's in 1788..

Sources +

Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
Smith, Eldson Coles, New Dictionary of American Family Names New York: Harper & Row, 1956. Print
Harrison, Henry, Surnames of the United Kingdom: A Concise Etymological Dictionary Baltimore: Geneological Publishing Company, 2013. Print
Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
Dickinson, F.H., Kirby's Quest for Somerset of 16th of Edward the 3rd London: Harrison and Sons, Printers in Ordinary to Her Majesty, St, Martin's Lane, 1889. Print.