Show ContentsLandhurst History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Etymology of Landhurst

What does the name Landhurst mean?

The present generation of the Landhurst 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 ancient town of Langhurst in the southern county of Surrey. This habitation name was originally derived from the Old English words lang meaning long and hyrst meaning wooded hill. The original bearers of the surname lived in an area that was defined by the long wooded hill in the county of Surrey. 1

Alternatively the family could have originated at "Longhurst, (Longhirst), a township in the parish of Bothal, near Morpeth, Northumberland." 2 3 4

Early Origins of the Landhurst family

The surname Landhurst was first found in Surrey where Richard de Lanherst was listed in the Curia Regis Rolls of 1221. Later, Robert de Longehurst was found in the Subsidy Rolls for Sussex in 1332. 5

The Placita de Quo Warranto, temp. Edward I-III. included a listing for Walter de Latighurst, Sussex, 20 Edward I (during the twentieth year of the reign of King Edward I.)

The Hundredorum Rolls of 12763 had only one listing, that of John de Langehirst. Hertfordshire. 2

Early History of the Landhurst family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Landhurst research. Another 111 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1221, 1332, 1690 and 1791 are included under the topic Early Landhurst History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Landhurst 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 Landhurst include Longhurst, Langhurst, Lainghurst, Longhirst, Longhearst, Longherst, Langhirst, Lainghirst, Langhearst, Langherst, Langhorst, Landhurst, Landhearst, Landhirst and many more.

Early Notables of the Landhurst family

More information is included under the topic Early Landhurst Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Landhurst family

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 Landhurst were among these contributors, for they have been located in early North American records: Henry Longhurst joined many who had landed in New York in the mid-1600's.



  1. Mills, A.D., Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-19-869156-4)
  2. Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
  3. Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
  4. Barber, Henry, British Family Names London: Elliot Stock, 62 Paternoster Row, 1894. Print.
  5. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)


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