Show ContentsLanglands History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The name Langlands first arose amongst the Anglo-Saxon tribes of Britain. It is derived from their having lived in the region of Langland. Langlands 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 Langlands family

The surname Langlands 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 Langlands family

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

Langlands Spelling Variations

One relatively recent invention that did much to standardize English spelling was the printing press. However, before its invention even the most literate people recorded their names according to sound rather than spelling. The spelling variations under which the name Langlands has appeared include Langland, Longlande, Longlands, Langlande and many more.

Early Notables of the Langlands family

Another 29 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Langlands Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


United States Langlands migration to the United States +

At this time, the shores of the New World beckoned many English families that felt that the social climate in England was oppressive and lacked opportunity for change. Thousands left England at great expense in ships that were overcrowded and full of disease. A great portion of these settlers never survived the journey and even a greater number arrived sick, starving, and without a penny. The survivors, however, were often greeted with greater opportunity than they could have experienced back home. These English settlers made significant contributions to those colonies that would eventually become the United States and Canada. An examination of early immigration records and passenger ship lists revealed that people bearing the name Langlands arrived in North America very early:

Langlands Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Mrs. Langlands, aged 35, who landed in America, in 1893
Langlands Settlers in United States in the 20th Century
  • David Langlands, aged 23, who landed in America from Montrose, Scotland, in 1906
  • John Robert Langlands, aged 74, who immigrated to America from Newcastle, England, in 1908
  • Louis Langlands, aged 23, who landed in America from Lescan Pheshire, England, in 1911
  • Eric Langlands, aged 25, who landed in America from Lescan, Pheshire, England, in 1911
  • Janet Langlands, aged 48, who immigrated to the United States from Musselburgh, Scotland, in 1912
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Langlands (post 1700) +

  • Ben Langlands (b. 1955), English artist, co founder of Langlands and Bell
  • Graeme Frank Langlands MBE (1941-2018), Australian former professional rugby league footballer, the most-capped player for the Australian national team with 45 international appearances
  • Robert Phelan Langlands (b. 1936), Canadian mathematician, recipient of the Wolf Prize, Steele Prize, Jeffery-Williams Prize and Nemmers Prize in Mathematics
  • Sir Alan Langlands (b. 1952), British principal and vice chancellor of the University of Dundee from 2001 to 2009, former chief executive of the National Health Service from 1994 to 2000

HMS Royal Oak
  • George A. Langlands, British Leading Stoker with the Royal Navy aboard the HMS Royal Oak (1939) when she was torpedoed by U-47 and sunk; he survived the sinking [3]


The Langlands 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.


  1. Hanks, Patricia and Flavia Hodges, A Dictionary of Surnames. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1988. Print. (ISBN 0-19-211592-8)
  2. Hutchins, Fortescue, The History of Cornwall, from the Earliest Records and Traditions to the Present Time. London: William Penaluna, 1824. Print
  3. Ships hit by U-boats crew list HMS Royal Oak (08) - (Retrieved 2018 February, 9th) - retrieved from https://uboat.net/allies/merchants/crews/ship68.html


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