Show ContentsLanghen History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Etymology of Langhen

What does the name Langhen mean?

There have long been several places named Langham in Britain: there is a village so named in Rutland that dates back to before the Domesday Book 1, as does the village of Langham in North Essex, which was a Saxon settlement. There was also a Langham in Norfolk and Suffolk. It is most likely that the surname Langhen was originally born by someone who hailed from one of these villages.

Early Origins and Etymology of Langhen

The surname Langhen was first found in Suffolk where the family name was first referenced in the Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 as William de Langham. The same rolls lists Henry de Longeham in Lincolnshire; and Dionis de Langham in Norfolk. 2 The Subsidy Rolls of 1327 lists William of Langham in Leicestershire. The name is thought to have meant "homestead of the family" or "followers of a man called Lahha." 3 Some of the family were found at Elkington in Northamptonshire since the early days. "This parish, through which passes the Grand Union canal, comprises 1868 acres of a moderately productive soil, the property of the Earl Spencer and the Langham family. " 4

Cardinal Simon Langham (1310-1376) was an English clergyman and Archbishop of Canterbury (1366-1368)

Early History of the Langhen family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Langhen research. Another 184 words (13 lines of text) covering the years 1310, 1363, 1366, 1376, 1395, 1455, 1487, 1510, 1538, 1584, 1600, 1621, 1625, 1654, 1656, 1660, 1670, 1671, 1678, 1696, 1698, 1699, 1700, 1747, 1749 and 1766 are included under the topic Early Langhen History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Langhen Spelling Variations

Spelling variations in names were a common occurrence before English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago. In the Middle Ages, even the literate spelled their names differently as the English language incorporated elements of French, Latin, and other European languages. Many variations of the name Langhen have been found, including Langham, Langam, Langum, Langhan, Langhen, Langholm and many more.

Early Notables of the Langhen family

Cardinal Simon de Langham (c.1310-1376), Lord Chancellor of England in 1363 and Archbishop of Canterbury in 1366, he fell foul of Edward III later, and lived out the rest of his life in Avignon, France; Sir John Langham, 1st Baronet (1584-1671), an English politician who sat in the House of Commons in 1654 and 1660, a turkey merchant by trade, he acquired a considerable fortune in London; and his son...
Another 70 words (5 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Langhen Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Langhen family

Families began migrating abroad in enormous numbers because of the political and religious discontent in England. Often faced with persecution and starvation in England, the possibilities of the New World attracted many English people. Although the ocean trips took many lives, those who did get to North America were instrumental in building the necessary groundwork for what would become for new powerful nations. Some of the first immigrants to cross the Atlantic and come to North America bore the name Langhen, or a variant listed above: Christopher Langham, who arrived in New York in 1633; Phillip Langham, who came to Virginia in 1658; and Francis Langham, who came to Barbados in 1664..



The Langhen 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: Nec sinit esse feros
Motto Translation: Education does not suffer them to be brutal.


  1. Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
  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. Mills, A.D., Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-19-869156-4)
  4. Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.


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