etymology/geneology: where does 'Lawson' come from?

Factual Questions
1

Many anglo surnames are contractions of “so-and-so’s son”:
Nixon from Nick’s son
Dixon and Dickson from Dick’s son

etc.

Are there other reasons why a name would end in ‘-son’?

I have a friend whose last name is Lawson, and I was wondering if his ancestor was named ‘Law’, and if that was a common name at some time.

Or is it a greater contraction of something like “lawgiver’s son”?

2

Here’s one take:

http://www.pcisys.net/~drobrtsn/family/lorson/lorsongorigin.html

3

Nifty. Thanks! Do you think that could be the only derivation?

4

I checked the Norwegian online censuses from 1801 to 1900 and “Lawson/Lawsen” does not appear. It is unlikely to be Scandinavian.

If your family came from England, then it probably is a corruption of “Larson/Larssen” (son of Lars) from the Scandinavian conquests. Many English -son names are like this. E.g., Patterson.

Without knowing what country, and even better what region of that country, your ancestors came from, it is all speculation.

5

Oops, make that “friend’s ancestors”.

6

My guess would be

… “Lawson” from “Lewis’s son”.

Regards,
Agback

7

Or possibly Lawrence’s son?

.:Nichol:.

8

Dunno. Best bet for some quick research: your local LDS Family History Center. Yes, the Mormons. They have, I am led to believe, some remarkable genealogical resources. You may also be able to find some of what you are looking for at the web site.

9

I like this one best, but Larson and Lorsong work well enough for me.

Nog.