Landry

Landry is a French name meaning ‘ruler’, traditionally explained through the element land, giving the sense ‘land ruler’. Its Germanic source is the personal name Landeric, which pairs land with ric, ‘power’ or ‘ruler’. Originally a surname for noble families in France, it is also known from Saint Landry, a seventh-century bishop of Paris traditionally credited with founding the Hôtel-Dieu, the city’s oldest hospital. St. Landry Parish in Louisiana is named after him, and in the United States the name is given to both boys and girls.