Lawes

Lawes is a surname of English origin. It is encountered in England and other English-speaking countries and is often treated as a variant spelling of Laws.

John Bennet Lawes (1814–1900) was an English agriculturist and industrialist who co-founded Rothamsted Experimental Station at Harpenden with Joseph Henry Gilbert. He helped pioneer the commercial production of artificial fertilizers, including superphosphate, contributing to the foundation of modern chemical agriculture.

In the realm of English music, Henry Lawes (c. 1595–1662) was a prominent composer and court musician of the early Stuart period; his brother William Lawes (1602–1645) was also a notable composer. The two are among the best-known English bearers of the name from the 17th century.

The surname is most common in the United Kingdom and in countries settled by British emigrants, with bearers in North America, Australia, and elsewhere. See also Laws (surname) for related forms and variations.