Langland History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

The present generation of the Langland family is only the most recent to bear a name that dates back to the ancient Anglo-Saxon culture of Britain. Their name comes from having lived in the region of Langland. Langland is a habitation name from the broad category of surnames that were derived from place-names. They were derived from pre-existing names for towns, villages, parishes, or farmsteads. Other local names are derived from the names of houses, manors, estates, regions, and entire counties.

Early Origins of the Langland family

The surname Langland was first found in Lincolnshire where the name was derived from the Old English lang or long + land, collectively meaning "long land" referring to a long strip of land. 1

To the far south at Land's End, Cornwall, "the manor of Killenick belonged, in the reign of Richard II. to John Longeland and Lankford. From the latter it passed by a female heir to the Bourchiers." 2

Early History of the Langland family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Langland research. Another 118 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1140, 1332, 1400, 1521, 1531 and 1696 are included under the topic Early Langland History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Langland Spelling Variations

Until the dictionary, an invention of only the last few hundred years, the English language lacked any comprehensive system of spelling rules. Consequently, spelling variations in names are frequently found in early Anglo-Saxon and later Anglo-Norman documents. One person's name was often spelled several different ways over a lifetime. The recorded variations of Langland include Langland, Longlande, Longlands, Langlande and many more.

Early Notables of the Langland family

Distinguished members of the family include

William Langland (1332-1400), English poet who is credited with the authorship of "The Vision of William Concerning Piers the Plowman," a medieval religious allegory

Langland migration to the United States +

Thousands of English families boarded ships sailing to the New World in the hope of escaping the unrest found in England at this time. Although the search for opportunity and freedom from persecution abroad took the lives of many because of the cramped conditions and unsanitary nature of the vessels, the opportunity perceived in the growing colonies of North America beckoned. Many of the settlers who survived the journey went on to make important contributions to the transplanted cultures of their adopted countries. The Langland were among these contributors, for they have been located in early North American records:

Langland Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

William Langland, who settled in Virginia in 1650

Langland Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Jennit Langland, who settled in New York in 1822 with four children

Langland migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Langland Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

John Langland, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Cromwell" in 1849 3

Contemporary Notables of the name Langland (post 1700) +

Joseph Langland (1917-2007), American poet
Tuck Langland, American sculptor
Knud Langland, American politician, Presidential Elector for Wisconsin, 1880 4
G. M. Langland, American Republican politician, Member of Iowa State House of Representatives from Winneshiek County; Elected 1950 4

The Langland Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Spero
Motto Translation: I hope.

Citations +

Hanks, Patricia and Flavia Hodges, A Dictionary of Surnames. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1988. Print. (ISBN 0-19-211592-8)
Hutchins, Fortescue, The History of Cornwall, from the Earliest Records and Traditions to the Present Time. London: William Penaluna, 1824. Print
State Records of South Australia. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) CROMWELL 1849. Retrieved from http://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/BSA/1849Cromwell.htm
The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, December 1) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html