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Langdon History Early Origins Early History Spelling Variations Early Notables World Ranking

United States Canada Australia New Zealand

Contemporary Notables Related Stories Citations

Langdon History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

The ancient history of the Langdon name begins with the ancient Anglo-Saxon tribes of Britain. The name is derived from when the family resided in the villages of Langdon or Longdon which had several locations around England. This place-name literally refers to an area that was known for a long hill. 1 2

East Langdon and West Landgon in Kent are the oldest parishes bearing this name. They collectively date back to Saxon times when they were known as Langandune in 861; the parish of Langdon Hills is Essex, named Langenduna in the Domesday Book of 1086 follows. 3 By 1291, East and West Landgon were known as Estlangedoun and Westlangedone. 4

Early Origins of the Langdon family

The surname Langdon was first found in Worcestershire where Aelfward aet Langadune was registered as an Old English Byname c. 1050. Later, Chetelburn de Lonedun was found in Warwickshire and Maurice de Landedun was listed in the Feet of Fines for Kent in 1201. In Staffordshire, Reginald de Langedon was registered there in the Assize Rolls of 1221 as was Alan de Longedon in Salop (Shropshire.) 5

The Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 included entries for: Bartholomew de Langedon, Essex; Cecil de Langedon, Kent; and William de Langedone, Essex. 6

In Somerset, John de Langedone was registered there 1 Edward III (during the first year of the reign of King Edward III.) 7

Some of the family were found in Cornwall where "the manor of Grimscott, [in the parish of Launcells] which is now divided into small tenements, was formerly the property of the Langdons." 8

Early History of the Langdon family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Langdon research. Another 125 words (9 lines of text) covering the years 1275, 1398, 1400, 1434, 1478, 1587, 1660, 1676, 1739, 1741, 1791, 1805 and 1819 are included under the topic Early Langdon History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Langdon Spelling Variations

Until quite recently, the English language has lacked a definite system of spelling rules. Consequently, Anglo-Saxon surnames are characterized by a multitude of spelling variations. Changes in Anglo-Saxon names were influenced by the evolution of the English language, as it incorporated elements of French, Latin, and other languages. Although Medieval scribes and church officials recorded names as they sounded, so it is common to find one person referred to by several different spellings of his surname, even the most literate people varied the spelling of their own names. Variations of the name Langdon include Langdon, Landon, Langdown, Langsdown and others.

Early Notables of the Langdon family

Distinguished members of the family include

John Langdon (d. 1434), Bishop of Rochester, a native of Kent, and perhaps of Langdon, who was admitted a monk of Christ Church, Canterbury, in 1398. Afterwards he studied at Oxford, and graduated B.D...
John Langdon (1741-1819) was an American politician and Founding Father from New Hampshire. He served as a delegate to the Constitutional Convention, signed the United States Constitution, and was one...

Langdon World Ranking

In the United States, the name Langdon is the 3,878^th most popular surname with an estimated 7,461 people with that name. 9 However, in Newfoundland, Canada, the name Langdon is ranked the 259^th most popular surname with an estimated 171 people with that name. 10

Langdon migration to the United States +

Searching for a better life, many English families migrated to British colonies. Unfortunately, the majority of them traveled under extremely harsh conditions: overcrowding on the ships caused the majority of the immigrants to arrive diseased, famished, and destitute from the long journey across the ocean. For those families that arrived safely, modest prosperity was attainable, and many went on to make invaluable contributions to the development of the cultures of the new colonies. Research into the origins of individual families in North America revealed records of the immigration of a number of people bearing the name Langdon or a variant listed above:

Langdon Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

Benjamin Langdon, who arrived in Boston, Massachusetts in 1678 11
Tobias Langdon, who landed in Portsmouth, NH in 1686 11

Langdon Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Kathleen Langdon, who settled in Virginia in 1705
Thomas Langdon, aged 46, who arrived in New York in 1719 11
John Langdon, who settled in Boston Massachusetts in 1765
John Langdon, who arrived in New York in 1797 11

Langdon Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Margaret and Thomas Langdon, who settled in Boston in 1820
Martin Langdon, who landed in New York in 1822 11
Mr. B. Langdon, (b. 1805), aged 36, Cornish settler departing from Falmouth aboard the ship "Cornwall" arriving in the United States on 3 June 1841 12
Mrs. A. Langdon, (b. 1799), aged 42, Cornish settler departing from Falmouth aboard the ship "Cornwall" arriving in the United States on 3 June 1841 12
Mr. L. Langdon, (b. 1826), aged 15, Cornish settler departing from Falmouth aboard the ship "Cornwall" arriving in the United States on 3 June 1841 12
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Langdon Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

Mr. Thomas John Langdon, (b. 1880), aged 24, Cornish mason, from Delabole, Cornwall, UK travelling aboard the ship "St Paul" arriving at Ellis Island, New York on 8th May 1904 en route to Bangor, Pennsylvania, USA 13
Mr. George Langdon, (b. 1884), aged 20, Cornish miner, from Redruth, Cornwall, UK travelling aboard the ship "St Louis" arriving at Ellis Island, New York on 24th April 1904 en route to Loretto, Michigan, USA 13
Mr. James Langdon, (b. 1868), aged 36, Cornish miner, from Bodmin, Cornwall, UK travelling aboard the ship "St Louis" arriving at Ellis Island, New York on 31st January 1904 en route to Ishpeming, Michigan, USA 13
Mr. Richard Langdon, (b. 1862), aged 43, Cornish slater travelling aboard the ship "Philadelphia" arriving at Ellis Island, New York in 1905 en route to Pen Argyl, Pennsylvania, USA 13
Mr. Samuel Langdon, (b. 1886), aged 19, Cornish miner, from Camborne, Cornwall, UK travelling aboard the ship "Philadelphia" arriving at Ellis Island, New York on 16th July 1905 en route to Jackson, California, USA 13
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Langdon migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Langdon Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

Joseph Langdon, who arrived in Canada in 1831
David Langdon, who settled in Merritt's Harbour in 1858
William Langdon was a planter at Grole, Newfoundland in 1871 14
James Langdon was a planter in Seal Cove, Newfoundland in 1871

Langdon migration to Australia +

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

Langdon Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Mr. William Langdon, (b. 1794), aged 45, English blacksmith who was convicted in Somerset, England for 15 years for theft, transported aboard the "Canton" on 20th September 1839, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 15
Joseph Langdon, aged 24, who arrived in South Australia in 1850 aboard the ship "Trafalgar" 16
Mr. Martin Langdon, British convict who was convicted in Bridgewater, Somerset, England for 10 years, transported aboard the "Cornwall" on 28th February 1851, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 17
Miss Jane Langdon, (b. 1833), aged 21, Cornish domestic servant departing from Plymouth on 19th August 1854 aboard the ship "Clara" arriving in Portland, Victoria, Australia on 19th November 1854 18
Miss Rebecca Langdon, (b. 1835), aged 19, Cornish domestic servant departing from Plymouth on 19th August 1854 aboard the ship "Clara" arriving in Portland, Victoria, Australia on 19th November 1854 18
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Langdon migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Langdon Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Robert Langdon, who landed in Wellington, New Zealand in 1841 aboard the ship Lady Leigh
Thomas Langdon, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Albemarle" in 1862
Charles F. Langdon, aged 25, a labourer, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Cartvale" in 1874
Emma S. Langdon, aged 24, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Cartvale" in 1874
Elizabeth Langdon, aged 3, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Cartvale" in 1874
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Langdon (post 1700) +

John Langdon (1741-1819), American politician from New Hampshire, and one of the first two United States senators from that state, Governor of New Hampshire
Trajan Shaka Langdon (b. 1976), American professional basketball player
Sue Ane Langdon (b. 1936), award-winning retired American actress
Steve J. Langdon (b. 1948), American anthropologist
Harry Philmore Langdon (1884-1944), American comedian
Ned W. Langdon, American fighter pilot and flying ace in the U.S. Navy, during World War II, credited with 5 aerial victories
Jack Langdon, American Democratic Party politician, Alternate Delegate to Democratic National Convention from Texas, 1948 19
George Langdon, American politician, Mayor of Detroit, Michigan, 1878-79 19
Francis E. Langdon, American Democratic Party politician, Candidate for Connecticut State House of Representatives from Guilford, 1926, 1934 19
Francis E. Langdon, American politician, Member of New Hampshire State Senate 24th District, 1887-88 19
... (Another 20 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Citations +

Smith, Eldson Coles, New Dictionary of American Family Names New York: Harper & Row, 1956. Print
Harrison, Henry, Surnames of the United Kingdom: A Concise Etymological Dictionary Baltimore: Geneological Publishing Company, 2013. Print
Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
Mills, A.D., Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-19-869156-4)
Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
Dickinson, F.H., Kirby's Quest for Somerset of 16th of Edward the 3rd London: Harrison and Sons, Printers in Ordinary to Her Majesty, St, Martin's Lane, 1889. Print.
Hutchins, Fortescue, The History of Cornwall, from the Earliest Records and Traditions to the Present Time. London: William Penaluna, 1824. Print
"What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
The order of Common Surnames in 1955 in Newfoundland retrieved on 20th October 2021 (retrieved from Family Names of the Island of Newfoundland by E.R. Seary corrected edition ISBN 0-7735-1782-0)
Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
Cornwall Online Parish Clerks. (Retrieved 2018, April 30). Emigrants to New York 1820 - 1891 [PDF]. Retrieved from http://www.opc-cornwall.org/Resc/pdfs/emigration_new_york_1820_1891.pdf
Cornwall Online Parish Clerks. (Retrieved 3rd May 2018). Retrieved from http://www.opc-cornwall.org/Resc/pdfs/emigration_ellis_island_1892_on.pdf
Seary E.R., Family Names of the Island of Newfoundland, Montreal: McGill's-Queen's Universtity Press 1998 ISBN 0-7735-1782-0
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 17th December 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/canton
State Records of South Australia. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) TRAFALGAR 1850. Retrieved http://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/BSA/1850Trafalgar-March.htm
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 11th March 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/cornwall
Cornwall Online Parish Clerks. (Retrieved 3rd May 2018). Retrieved from http://www.opc-cornwall.org/Resc/pdfs/emigration_australia_victoria.pdf
The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, November 25) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html