Contents [hide]

Lowry History Early Origins Early History Spelling Variations Early Notables Ranking

Ireland United States Canada Australia New Zealand

Contemporary Notables Historic Events Related Stories Motto Suggested Reading Sources

Lowry History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Ireland
Scotland
England

Early Origins of the Lowry family

The surname Lowry was first found in Dumfriesshire (Gaelic: Siorrachd Dhùn Phris), a Southern area, bordering on England that today forms part of the Dumfries and Galloway Council Area. "Laurieston in the parish of Balmaghie, stewartry of Kirkcudbright takes its name from William Kennedy Laurie, Esq., proprietor of the lands on which it is built, near Lochinbren, a sheet of water abounding with trout. " 1

There are two other places named Laurieston in Scotland: an ecclesiastical district, within the jurisdiction of the city of Glasgow; and in the parish of Falkirk, county of Stirlinge village. Of the former, we can find no notes about the origin; of the latter, it was derived from "the name of Laurencetoun, of which its present appellation is a contraction." 1

"This surname is derived from the name of an ancestor. 'the son of Lawrence.' In the Lowlands and on the Borders, popularly Lowrie or Laurie, whence the many North English and Scottish variations of this name. " 2

"The name has been also explained, with still less probability; as from Scots lowrie, 'foxy'. The name of Gavin Lawrie, governor of New Jersey during the colonial period, is spelled in a letter quoted in The Haigs of Bemersyde as Lowry.' 3

"Hence 'Lowrie-like,' having the crafty look of a fox. The full name Lawrence was also applied to the fox, proving that Lowry and Lawry are the true offspring of the name." 2

Early History of the Lowry family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Lowry research. Another 118 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1640, 1653, 1669, 1671, 1677, 1683, 1686, 1687, 1755, 1770, 1771, 1773, 1774, 1775, 1776, 1779, 1820, 1827, 1836, 1839, 1861 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Lowry History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Lowry Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Lawrie, Laurie, Larrie, Larry, Laurie, Laury, Lawry, Lowrie and many more.

Early Notables of the Lowry family

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

Lowry Ranking

In the United States, the name Lowry is the 1,295^th most popular surname with an estimated 24,870 people with that name. 4

Migration of the Lowry family to Ireland

Some of the Lowry family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 118 words (8 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Lowry migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Lowry Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

William Lowry, who landed in Virginia in 1696 5

Lowry Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Martin Lowry, who arrived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1746 5
Edward Lowry, who settled in New England in 1747
Joseph Lowry, who arrived in South Carolina in 1772 5
Daniel Lowry, who landed in America in 1795 5
William Lowry, who arrived in America in 1795 5

Lowry Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Will Lowry, aged 29, who landed in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1803 5
Jane Lowry, aged 18, who arrived in Baltimore, Maryland in 1804 5
Andrew Lowry, who arrived in America in 1807 5
Edward B Lowry, who landed in Maryland in 1811 5
John Lowry, who landed in Allegany (Allegheny) County, Pennsylvania in 1820 5
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Lowry Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

Miss Eliza Lowry, (b. 1858), aged 42, Cornish settler, from Penzance, Cornwall, UK travelling aboard the ship "Umbria" arriving at Ellis Island, New York on 26th August 1900 en route to Ishpeming, Michigan, USA 6
Mr. James H. Lowry, (b. 1897), aged 3, American returning from Cornwall, UK travelling aboard the ship "Umbria" arriving at Ellis Island, New York on 26th August 19001900 en route to Ishpeming, Michigan, USA 6
Miss Harriett Lowry, (b. 1845), aged 60, Cornish housekeeper, from Truro, Cornwall, UK travelling aboard the ship "Caronia" arriving at Ellis Island, New York in 1905 en route to Newark, New Jersey, USA 6

Lowry migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Lowry Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century

Philip Lowry, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1749
John Lowry, who arrived in Halifax, Nova Scotia in 1749-1752
Mary Lowry, aged 27, who arrived in Fort Cumberland, Nova Scotia in 1775

Lowry Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

Honora Lowry, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1833
Jane Lowry, aged 20, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1833 aboard the ship "Britannia" from Sligo, Ireland
Ellen Lowry, aged 20, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1833 aboard the ship "Britannia" from Sligo, Ireland
Eliza Lowry, aged 13, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1833 aboard the ship "Britannia" from Sligo, Ireland
John Lowry, aged 11, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1833 aboard the ship "Britannia" from Sligo, Ireland
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Lowry migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Lowry Settlers in Australia in the 18th Century

Mr. Peter Lowry, (b. 1770), aged 23, Irish convict who was convicted in Monaghan, County Monaghan, Ireland for 7 years for felony, transported aboard the "Boddingtons" on 15th February 1793, arriving in New South Wales, Australia, he died in 1842 7

Lowry Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Miss Mary Lowry, (b. 1801), aged 17, Irish nurse maid who was convicted in County Offaly (Kings County), Ireland for 7 years, transported aboard the "Elizabeth" on 26th July 1818, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 8
Mr. Edward Lowry, (b. 1817), aged 15, English convict who was convicted in Middlesex, England for 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the "England"on 31st March 1832, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land), he died in 1832 9
Mr. Martin Lowry, Welsh convict who was convicted in Glamorganshire, Wales for 15 years, transported aboard the "Barossa" on 9th May 1844, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 10
Samuel Lowry, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Simlah" in 1849 11
Mr. Walter Lowry, (b. 1818), aged 31, Cornish blacksmith travelling aboard the ship "Courier" arriving in Port Phillip, Victoria, Australia on 11th September 1849 12
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Lowry migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Lowry Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Mr. William Lowry, (b. 1835), aged 23, British farmer travelling from Gravesend aboard the ship "Indiana" arriving in Lyttelton, Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand on 28th November 1858 13
Mrs. Anna Belle Lowry, (b. 1838), aged 20, British settler travelling from Gravesend aboard the ship "Indiana" arriving in Lyttelton, Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand on 28th November 1858 13
Mr. Robert Lowry, (b. 1842), aged 19, Irish school master, from County Down travelling from London aboard the ship "Sebastopol" arriving in Lyttelton, Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand on 14th December 1861 14
Mr. Lowry, (b. 1862), aged Infant, English settler from Yorkshire travelling from London aboard the ship "Zealandia" arriving in Lyttelton, Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand on 23rd May 1862 14
Mrs. Hannah Lowry, (b. 1838), aged 24, English settler from Yorkshire travelling from London aboard the ship "Zealandia" arriving in Lyttelton, Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand on 23rd May 1862 14
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Lowry (post 1700) +

Peter B. Lowry (1941-2022), American folklorist, writer, record producer, ethnomusicologist, historian, photographer, forensic musicologist, and teacher
Michael Edward "Mike" Lowry (1939-2017), American politician, 20th Governor of Washington (1993-1997)
Kyle Lowry (b. 1986), American professional NBA basketball player with the Toronto Raptors
Noah Ryan Lowry (b. 1980), American former Major League Baseball pitcher
Francis Lowry, the only Colorado pilot killed in WWI combat, eponym of Lowry Field and Lowry Air Force Base, Colorado Springs, Colorado
Lieutenant-General Sumter de Leon Jr. Lowry (1893-1985), American Assistant Commandant Infantry Replacement Training Center Camp Livingston (1945) 15
James Lowry Jr. (1820-1876), American politician, Mayor of Pittsburgh (1864 to 1866)
Lois Lowry (b. 1937), American author of children's literature who has been awarded the Newbery Medal twice
Wayne L. Lowry, American fighter pilot and flying ace in the U.S. Army Air Forces, during World War II, credited with 11 aerial victories
Thomas Frederick "Fred" Lowry (1836-1865), Australian bushranger, member of the Frank Gardiner-Ben Hall gang; he was shot in the throat and died the next day
... (Another 9 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Historic Events for the Lowry family +

HMAS Sydney II

Mr. Frederick William Lowry (1918-1941), Australian Able Seaman from Wilston, Queensland, Australia, who sailed into battle aboard HMAS Sydney II and died in the sinking 16

The Lowry Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Repullulat
Motto Translation: It buds afresh.

Sources +

Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of Scotland. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
Black, George F., The Surnames of Scotland Their Origin, Meaning and History. New York: New York Public Library, 1946. Print. (ISBN 0-87104-172-3)
"What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
Cornwall Online Parish Clerks. (Retrieved 3rd May 2018). Retrieved from http://www.opc-cornwall.org/Resc/pdfs/emigration_ellis_island_1892_on.pdf
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 25th October 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/boddingtons
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 3rd March 2022). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/elizabeth
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 26th April 2022). https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/england
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 24th September 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/barossa
State Records of South Australia. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) The SIMLAH 1849. Retrieved from http://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/BSA/1849Simlah.htm
Cornwall Online Parish Clerks. (Retreived 3rd May 2018). Retrieved from http://www.opc-cornwall.org/Resc/pdfs/emigration_australia_victoria.pdf
New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 17th October 2018). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 26th March 2019). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
Generals of World War II. (Retrieved 2012, April 2) Sumter Lowry. Retrieved from http://generals.dk/general/Lowry/Sumter_de_Leon_Jr./USA.html
HMAS Sydney II, Finding Sydney Foundation - Roll of Honour. (Retrieved 2014, April 24) . Retrieved from http://www.findingsydney.com/roll.asp