Origin & Meaning of the Laws Surname
What does the last name Laws mean?
The surname Laws carries the meaning "The (feminine)." It is derived from the French language and has been passed down through generations, reflecting the occupations, locations, or characteristics of early bearers of the name. With 14,511 bearers in the 2010 US Census, Laws ranks as the #2,486 most common surname in the United States.
Where does the surname Laws come from?
The Laws surname has its roots in French/Spanish heritage. Names of French/Spanish origin often reflect the cultural, linguistic, and historical traditions of the communities where they first appeared. Over centuries, migration and cultural exchange have spread the Laws name far beyond its original homeland.
Language of Origin
The linguistic roots of Laws trace back to French. Understanding the original language helps decode the meaning and evolution of the name from its earliest recorded forms to the modern spelling used today.
Quick Facts
| Surname | Laws |
|---|---|
| Meaning | The (feminine) |
| Origin | French/Spanish |
| Language | French |
| US Rank (2010) | #2,486 |
| US Count (2010) | 14,511 |
| Per 100K People | 4.92 |
| First Letter | L |
Ethnic Distribution of Laws
According to the US Census, the Laws surname is distributed across the following ethnic groups. This data reflects self-reported ethnicity among 14,511 Americans with the Laws last name.
| Ethnicity | Percentage |
|---|---|
| White | 71.61% |
| Black | 22.83% |
| Hispanic | 2.12% |
| Asian/Pacific Islander | 0.54% |
| Native American | 0.54% |
| Two or More Races | 2.36% |
Popularity of Laws Over Time
Comparing US Census data from 2000 and 2010 shows how the Laws surname has changed in prevalence.
The number of Americans with the Laws surname increased by 620 between 2000 and 2010.
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Similar Surnames to Laws
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Other French/Spanish Surnames
Explore more surnames with French/Spanish roots. There are 162,254 surnames in our database — here are some that share the same French/Spanish origin as Laws.
Frequently Asked Questions About Laws
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