O'Lawlor

O'Lawlor also known as Lawlor, Lawler, and Lalor is an Irish surname belonging to one of the Seven Septs of Laois.

The Gaelic family name now most frequently found in English as Lawlor was Ó Leathlobhair. The earliest historical record now extant tells us that Lethlobar was a King of Ulidia who died in 871 AD. Ancient Kings of Dalriada and Ulidia and the Ulster family of Lawlors followed.

After the 10th century, the annals do not continue the story of this particular sept, but a family of the same name did rise to prominence in the Irish midlands. They were one of the "Seven Septs of Laois" and were kinsmen of the O'Mores. Their clan lands surrounded the famous Rock of Dunamase in County Laois (formerly spelled Laoighis or Leix) within the province of Leinster. Their family seat was Dysart Enos where they held sway until the time of Queen Elizabeth and the English colonization of this land.

As punishment for their courageous battles to protect their religious faith and national independence, the Lawlor chieftains who survived the infamous Massacre of Mullaghmast in 1577 were, with the O'More, dispossessed of their property and forced to settle in County Kerry where some descendants remain. County Laois was renamed Queen's County by the English during their occupation. Still, many Lawlor clansmen managed to remain in the homeland of their ancestors and survive the Elizabethan, Cromwellian and Williamite Wars. In 1922, the name County Laois was restored. Today, the greatest number of Lawlors appear in County Laois and lands eastward.

The Lawlor family motto "Faithful and Loyal" to Ireland and the cause of liberty characterizes their story on the pages of Irish history as well as in the English speaking world. James Fintan Lalor (1817–1849), son of patriot father, was a noted revolutionary thinker and leader of his time. In Australia, his brother Peter Lalor (1823–1889), leader of the insurgent miners at Eureka in 1854, later became Minister and Speaker in the Legislative Council of Victoria. In the United States, Brigadier General Michael Kelly Lawlor (1814–1882) was a noted officer under Grant in the Civil War. John Lalor (1820–1901) was a sculptor of international renown.