O'Lawlor
Encyclopedia
O'Lawlor also known as Lawlor, Lawler, and Lalor is an Irish surname belonging to one of the Seven Sept
Sept
A sept is an English word for a division of a family, especially a division of a clan. The word might have its origin from Latin saeptum "enclosure, fold", or it can be an alteration of sect.The term is found in both Ireland and Scotland...

s 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
Ulidia
Ulidia is a genus of ulidiid or picture-winged fly in the family Ulidiidae.-Species:*Ulidia albidipennis Loew, 1845*Ulidia apicalis Meigen, 1826*Ulidia atrata Loew, 1868*Ulidia erythrophthalma Meigen, 1826...

 who died in 871 AD. Ancient Kings of Dalriada
Dalriada
Dalriada can refer to:* Dál Riata, a Gaelic kingdom in western Scotland and north-east Ireland in the Early Middle Ages* Dalriada School, a co-educational, voluntary grammar school in Ballymoney, Northern Ireland* Dalriada , Hungarian folk metal band...

 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
Rock of Dunamase
The Rock of Dunamase is one of the most historic sites in Ireland. Its ruins date back many hundreds of years...

 in County Laois
County Laois
County Laois is a county in Ireland. It is part of the Midlands Region and is also located in the province of Leinster. It was formerly known as Queen's County until the establishment of the Irish Free State in 1922. The county's name was formerly spelt as Laoighis and Leix. Laois County Council...

 (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
Massacre of Mullaghmast
The Massacre of Mullaghmast refers to the summary execution of Irish chieftains by the British military in Ireland. It probably occurred in the year 1578...

 in 1577 were, with the O'More, dispossessed of their property and forced to settle in County Kerry
County Kerry
Kerry means the "people of Ciar" which was the name of the pre-Gaelic tribe who lived in part of the present county. The legendary founder of the tribe was Ciar, son of Fergus mac Róich. In Old Irish "Ciar" meant black or dark brown, and the word continues in use in modern Irish as an adjective...

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.
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