Furlong History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms 

Origins Available: 
  Ireland 
  England 


The Irish already had a system for creating hereditary surnames established when the followers of Strongbow settled in eastern Ireland. Although there was relatively little friction between the two systems because they operated according to very similar principles, the Strongbownians frequently used local surnames. In Ireland, local surnames were almost unheard of, but in England they were probably the most common form of hereditary surname. Local surnames, such as Furlong, were taken from the name of a place or a geographical feature where the person lived, held land, or was born. The surname Furlong is derived from living near a field. The surname Furlong is derived from the Old English word furlong, which denoted the length of a field. This word was comprised of the Old English words "furh," which means "furrow," and "lang," which means "long." A furlong was the technical name for a block of strips owned by several different people which constituted the unit of cultivation in the medieval open-held system of agriculture.

Early Origins of the Furlong family

The surname Furlong was first found in Dorset, where they held a family seat from very early times.

Early History of the Furlong family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Furlong research. Another 116 words (8 lines of text) covering the year 1242 is included under the topic Early Furlong History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Furlong Spelling Variations

Names were simply spelled as they sounded by medieval scribes and church officials. Therefore, during the lifetime of a single person, his name was often spelt in many different ways, explaining the many spelling variations encountered while researching the name Furlong. Some of these variations included: Furlong, Furlang and others.

Early Notables of the Furlong family

Notable amongst the family up to this time was

Furlong Ranking

In the United States, the name Furlong is the 4,780th most popular surname with an estimated 4,974 people with that name. 1 However, in Newfoundland, Canada, the name Furlong is ranked the 232nd most popular surname with an estimated 190 people with that name. 2


Furlong migration to the United States +

The Irish emigration during the late 18th and 19th century contributed to the melting pot of nationalities in North America, and the building of a whole new era of industry and commerce in what was seen as a rich, new land. Ireland'sGreat Potato Famine resulted in the worst economic and social conditions in the island's history. And in response to the hunger, disease, and poverty, during this decade the total number of emigrants to leave for North America rivaled all the previous years combined. Those from this decade that arrived on North American shores were not warmly welcomed by the established population, but they were vital to the rapid development of the industry, agriculture, and infrastructure of the infant nations of the United States and what would become Canada. Research into early immigration and passenger lists has shown many people bearing the name Furlong:

Furlong Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
Furlong Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
Furlong Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Furlong migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Furlong Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century
Furlong Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

Furlong migration to Australia +

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

Furlong Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Furlong 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:

Furlong Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Contemporary Notables of the name Furlong (post 1700) +


The Furlong 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: Liberalitas
Motto Translation: Liberty


Suggested Readings for the name Furlong +
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