The spelling of the LAWRENTZ surname originated with Noah Lawrentz, who had settled near Spencer, West Virginia, at the time of the name change (1853). Noah's wife, Elizabeth ALLMAN, was Dutch. The surname, LAWRENTZ, appears in two other known families, both of Dutch origin. The mystery still remains of whether the Noah Lawrentz family was also Dutch or descendant of German or English families.
Noah's parents are Samuel LORENTZ and Mary Ann THARP, who were married in Fauquier County, Virginia, in 1812. Mary Ann was the daughter of Jesse THARP of Carter's Run. Samuel's parents and origin are not known.
My family's surnames: LAWRENTZ, LORENTZ, ALLMAN, BAKER, BURGESS, COROTHERS, DOUGLASS, HOPE, JORY, and RATTA.
