Langan History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

During the 19th century thousands of impoverished Irish families made the long journey to British North America and the United States. These people were leaving a land that had become beset with poverty, lack of opportunity, and hunger. In North America, they hoped to find land, work, and political and religious freedoms. Although the majority of the immigrants that survived the long sea passage did make these discoveries, it was not without much perseverance and hard work: by the mid-19th century land suitable for agriculture was short supply, especially in British North America, in the east; the work available was generally low paying and physically taxing construction or factory work; and the English stereotypes concerning the Irish, although less frequent and vehement, were, nevertheless, present in the land of freedom, liberty, and equality for all men. The largest influx of Irish settlers occurred with Great Potato Famine during the late 1840s. Research into passenger and immigration lists has brought forth evidence of the early members of the Langan family in North America:

Langan Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

• Laurence Langan, an 'enforced emigrant' from Ireland, who arrived in America in 1743

Langan Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

• William Langan, who settled in Pennsylvania in 1808
• William Langan, who arrived in Washington County, Pennsylvania in 1808 3
• Pat Langan, aged 22, who arrived in New York in 1854 3
• John Langan, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1866
• John Langan, who landed in Allegany (Allegheny) County, Pennsylvania in 1866 3

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Langan Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century

• Cornelius Langan, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1749-1752
• George Langan, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1757

Langan Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

• Mr. James Langan, English convict who was convicted in Chester, Cheshire, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Aurora" on 18th June 1835, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 4
• Mr. Michael Langan, Irish convict who was convicted in Westmeath, Ireland for 7 years for larceny, transported aboard the "Calcutta" in 19th April 1837, arriving in New South Wales, Australia, he died in 1837 aboard the ship 5

• Glenn Langan (1917-1991), American actor from California
• Philip Langan, American college administrator and sports writer
• Tom Langan, American television producer and writer
• R. C. Langan, American Democratic Party politician, Delegate to Democratic National Convention from Iowa, 1916 6
• Josie Langan, American Democratic Party politician, Delegate to Democratic National Convention from Pennsylvania, 1924 6
• Joseph N. Langan, American politician, Mayor of Mobile, Alabama, 1956, 1958, 1960 6
• John Langan, American Democratic Party politician, Candidate for New York State Assembly from Rockland County, 1920 6
• Helen Langan, American Democratic Party politician, Vice-chair of Utah Democratic Party, 2008; Delegate to Democratic National Convention from Utah, 2008 6
• George P. Langan, American Democratic Party politician, Postmaster at Cairo, Illinois, 1937-77 (acting, 1937-39) 6
• Ambrose Langan, American politician, Mayor of Pittston, Pennsylvania, 1929-35 6
• ... (Another 5 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)