Lawrence was born into the gens (clan) Becsegergely, which possessed extensive landholdings in Tiszántúl and Transylvania.
A royal charter, issued by Béla IV of Hungary on 9 March 1258, definitely stated that Lawrence belonged to this kindred.
[2] John was progenitor of the Léli (Tóti) noble family, which owned Lél, later Nagylél and the surrounding area in Komárom County (present-day a borough of Zlatná na Ostrove in Slovakia).
Lawrence was first mentioned by contemporary records in November 1250, when he was granted the village of Dras (Drasch) by his superior, Oliver, Bishop of Syrmia.
[1] Upon his request, Pope Innocent IV permitted him on 1 February 1252 to apply for other ecclesiastical and secular dignities, in addition to retaining his provostship, but there is no source for Lawrence's other positions in that period.