Lauer

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For more details on this topic, see Lauer (disambiguation).

Lauer is a small island in the Hvaler municipality in South-East Norway. The Hvaler islands are located in the Oslofjord, not far from the border with Sweden.

The name "Lauer" is derived from Old Norse "Laufey", "the leafy island". Like many Norwegian place names, the name of the island is connected to Norse mythology. The trickster figure Loki is called "the son of Laufey" ("Laufeyjarson"). It is not clear whether the island of Lauer is named after Loki's mother, or vice versa.

The island was first settled in the 17th century. Today, there are around 30 homes on Lauer, used as vacation homes in the summer only. Up until the 1980's, the island was inhabited all year round.

There is ferry service to Lauer from the mainland port of Skjærhalden.

Lauer as a family name can be derived from the more archaic name Luria.

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