Show ContentsLanglan History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The Langlan name has descended through the generations from the ancient Anglo-Saxon culture. Their name comes from having lived in the region of Langland. Langlan is a habitation name from the broad category of surnames that were derived from place-names. They were derived from pre-existing names for towns, villages, parishes, or farmsteads. Other local names are derived from the names of houses, manors, estates, regions, and entire counties.

Early Origins of the Langlan family

The surname Langlan was first found in Lincolnshire where the name was derived from the Old English lang or long + land, collectively meaning "long land" referring to a long strip of land. 1

To the far south at Land's End, Cornwall, "the manor of Killenick belonged, in the reign of Richard II. to John Longeland and Lankford. From the latter it passed by a female heir to the Bourchiers." 2

Early History of the Langlan family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Langlan research. Another 118 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1140, 1332, 1400, 1521, 1531 and 1696 are included under the topic Early Langlan History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Langlan Spelling Variations

Only recently has spelling become standardized in the English language. As the English language evolved in the Middle Ages, the spelling of names changed also. The name Langlan has undergone many spelling variations, including Langland, Longlande, Longlands, Langlande and many more.

Early Notables of the Langlan family

Distinguished members of the family include

  • William Langland (1332-1400), English poet who is credited with the authorship of "The Vision of William Concerning Piers the Plowman," a medieval religious allegory

Migration of the Langlan family

To escape the unstable social climate in England of this time, many families boarded ships for the New World with the hope of finding land, opportunity, and greater religious and political freedom. Although the voyages were expensive, crowded, and difficult, those families that arrived often found greater opportunities and freedoms than they could have experienced at home. Many of those families went on to make significant contributions to the rapidly developing colonies in which they settled. Early North American records indicate many people bearing the name Langlan were among those contributors: Jennit Langland settled in New York in 1822 with four children; William Langland settled in Virginia in 1650.



The Langlan 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: Spero
Motto Translation: I hope.


  1. Hanks, Patricia and Flavia Hodges, A Dictionary of Surnames. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1988. Print. (ISBN 0-19-211592-8)
  2. Hutchins, Fortescue, The History of Cornwall, from the Earliest Records and Traditions to the Present Time. London: William Penaluna, 1824. Print


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