A French surname, Laurent comes from the Latin term ‘laurentius’ which also is a form of the name Lawrence which is from the Old French term ‘laurens’. Spelling variations for Laurent include Laurren, Loren, Lorent, Lauren, Laurrens, Laurrens and Laurrent. The greatest number of Laurent families have lived in France. Many have also been in Germany and Belgium over the centuries. In England most people with the Laurent name live in the city of London, in Essex, Kent, Herefordshire and the Channel Islands. Scotland has Laurent families in Renfrewshire and Midlothian counties. Within the United States the Laurent name is concentrated in Louisiana, New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Wisconsin, California, Michigan, Illinois and Iowa. Famous: Auguste Laurent (19th century French chemist), Lawrence Bell Laurent (journalist), Edmond Laurent (general for France during World War I) and John Louis Laurent (artist from U. S. A.).