Show ContentsLangstume History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The ancestors of the name Langstume date back to the Anglo-Saxon tribes of Britain. The name is derived from when the Langstume family lived in Lincolnshire. However, there are numerous villages and civil parishes named "Langton" throughout England including locals in Leicestershire, North Yorkshire, Cumbria, Durham, Kent and Dorset. This is large part due to the fact that the place name literally translates as "long farmstead or estate," having derived from the Old English words "lang" + "tun." 1 Some are listed in the Domesday Book of 1086: Lang(e)tone (Leicestershire); Langeton (North Yorkshire - now Great Langton); and Terlintone (Leicetershire - now Tur Langton.) 2 The oldest place name recorded was Langton Durham which was listed as Langadum c. 1050 eluding to it's Saxon origin.

Early Origins of the Langstume family

The surname Langstume was first found in Lincolnshire at Langton by Spilsby, sometimes called Langton by Partney, a village and civil parish in the East Lindsey district. The parish of Langton is nearby. "This parish, which has been the residence of the Langton family for more than seven centuries." 3 One of the earliest records of the name was Cardinal Stephen Langton (c.1150-1228), who was Archbishop of Canterbury (1207 until death in 1228.) He was a critical player in the dispute between King John of England and Pope Innocent III, which ultimately led to the issuing of Magna Carta in 1215. A manor which has remained to the present day in the inheritance of this house can be found at Langton by Spilsby. 4 Walter de Langton (1296-1321), Bishop of Coventry and Lichfield, Lord High Treasurer of England, and a favourite of Edward I. was born in Langton West.

Another branch of the family was found at Woolstone in Lancashire. "In the 20th of Edward I., John Byrun claimed free warren here in right of his wife Alesia, heiress of Robert Banastre. This lady was afterwards married to Sir John Langton, whose descendant, John Langton, in the reign of Edward III. held Wolueston as Baron of Makerfield. How long the property continued in this family does not appear, but it seems to have been alienated anterior to the reign of Philip and Mary." 3

Early History of the Langstume family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Langstume research. Another 89 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1150, 1207, 1215, 1227, 1228, 1248, 1279, 1305, 1337, 1501, 1614, 1622, 1625, 1626, 1645, 1648, 1659, 1698 and 1788 are included under the topic Early Langstume History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Langstume Spelling Variations

It is only in the last few hundred years that the English language has been standardized. For that reason, early Anglo-Saxon surnames like Langstume are characterized by many spelling variations. As the English language changed and incorporated elements of other European languages, even literate people changed the spelling of their names. The variations of the name Langstume include: Langton, Langston and others.

Early Notables of the Langstume family

Distinguished members of the family include Stephen Langton (c. 1150-1228), Archbishop of Canterbury (1207-1228), a central figure in the dispute between King John of England and Pope Innocent III, which contributed to the crisis which led to the issuing of Magna Carta in 1215; William Langton (or William of Rotherfield; died 1279), a medieval English priest and nephew of Archbishop Walter de Gray; Simon Langton (died 1248), an English clergyman, Archdeacon of Canterbury (1227-1248)...
Another 73 words (5 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Langstume Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Ireland Migration of the Langstume family to Ireland

Some of the Langstume family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt. More information about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Langstume family

Many English families tired of political and religious strife left Britain for the new colonies in North America. Although the trip itself offered no relief - conditions on the ships were extremely cramped, and many travelers arrived diseased, starving, and destitute - these immigrants believed the opportunities that awaited them were worth the risks. Once in the colonies, many of the families did indeed prosper and, in turn, made significant contributions to the culture and economies of the growing colonies. An inquiry into the early roots of North American families has revealed a number of immigrants bearing the name Langstume or a variant listed above: Stephen Langton settled in Barbados with his wife and servants in 1680; Thomas and Rebecca Langton settled in Virginia in 1679; Thomas Langton arrived in New York in 1822..



The Langstume 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: Loyal au mort
Motto Translation: Faithful unto death.


  1. Mills, A.D., Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-19-869156-4)
  2. Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
  3. Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
  4. Shirley, Evelyn Philip, The Noble and Gentle Men of England; The Arms and Descents. Westminster: John Bower Nichols and Sons, 1866, Print.


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