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| Origins Available: |
| | England |
The origins of the Anglo-Saxon name Longstaffe come from its first bearer, who was a person who due to their occupation was given the name of Long staff. This nickname referred to those individuals who worked as a bailiff or an officer of the law who carried a log-staff that acted as a badge of office. 1
Another source notes that the name could denote a "sergeant, bailiff, catchpoll, or other officer of the law." 2
The surname Longstaffe was first found in Westmorland where Richard Langstaff was recorded in the Pipe Rolls of 1210. In the same year, Hugo Longstaf was listed as a Freeman of Leicestershire. 3
There was only one record of the family in the Hundredorum Rolls of 1273, that of William Longstaf in Norfolk. 2 Another William Longstaff was later listed, 20 Edward III (during the twentieth year of King Edward III's reign.) 4
"Longstaff has been a Darlington, [Durham] name since the reign of James I. (1603-1625)" 5
This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Longstaffe research. Another 86 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1273, 1660 and 1748 are included under the topic Early Longstaffe History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
The first dictionaries that appeared in the last few hundred years did much to standardize the English language. Before that time, spelling variations in names were a common occurrence. The language was changing, incorporating pieces of other languages, and the spelling of names changed with it. Longstaffe has been spelled many different ways, including Langstaff, Langstaffe, Longstaff, Longstaffe and others.
More information is included under the topic Early Longstaffe Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Thousands of English families in this era began to emigrate the New World in search of land and freedom from religious and political persecution. Although the passage was expensive and the ships were dark, crowded, and unsafe, those who made the voyage safely were rewarded with opportunities unavailable to them in their homeland. Research into passenger and immigration lists has revealed some of the very first Longstaffes to arrive in North America: Henry Langstaff settled in New Hampshire in 1630; Elizabeth Longstaf settled in Barbados in 1680.