Lanier Family History

French, Dutch, and English: occupational name for someone involved in the wool trade, from an agent derivative of Old French la(i)ne ‘wool’. French and Dutch: occupational name, with the definite article, for a pack driver, from French âne ‘ass’, ‘donkey’ (Latin asinus). French and Dutch: nickname for a falconer, from Old French lanier, lenier, a kind of falcon. French and Dutch: nickname for a lazy, slow, timid, or cowardly person, from Old French lanier, lenier.

Source: Dictionary of American Family Names ©2013, Oxford University Press