Langwell History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
France
England

The name Langwell is an old name from Normandy. It comes from when the family lived in Normandy, at Longueville.

Early Origins of the Langwell family

The surname Langwell was first found in Normandy (French: Normandie), the former Duchy of Normandy. The name was "a branch of the house of Giffard, barons of Langueville and Bolbec near Dieppe, Normandy. Osberne de Longueville or Bolbec, with William de Bolbec, Robert Malet, and Gilbert de Menill c. 990, gave the church of Pictariville, Normandy, to religious uses." 1

"Henry de Longavilla in 1165 held Lovetot Overton (now called Orton) Longueville in Huntingdonshire, England. Roger de Longueville is mentioned in the same county about 1200 as was William in Herts, and Richard in Buckinghamshire 1190-98. In the early part of the fourteenth century, the existing church of Overton-Longueville was built by one the family, supposed to be commemorated by the mutilated effigy of a knight placed between the chancel and the North chantry. Some have, assigned it to a much earlier date. The knight lies cross legged, with a heater shield on his right arm, and a couchant lion at his feet. In any case it is clear that he was a soldier of the Cross, and the ghastly legend attached to him, and preserved by Bishop Kennet, must be based on some desperate encounter with a Paynum in the Holy Land." 2

"The descendants of the Norman Longueville became Lords of Overton. co. Huntingdon, and Wolverton, Bucks; and in one branch vested the barony of Grey de Ruthin. During the great civil war, they arrayed themselves under the royal banner, and suffered, in consequence, loss and confiscation. The chief of the house, Sir Edward Longueville, of Wolverton, was created a Baronet of Nova Scotia by Charles I. " 3

Early History of the Langwell family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Langwell research. Another 286 words (20 lines of text) covering the years 1397, 1464, 1619, 1646, 1656, 1679, 1746 and 1747 are included under the topic Early Langwell History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Langwell Spelling Variations

French surnames were subject to numerous alterations in spelling because of the various cultural groups that inhabited specific regions. Eventually, each region possessed its own local dialect of the French language. The early development of the French language, however, was also influenced by other languages. For example, Old French was infused with Germanic words and sounds when barbarian tribes invaded and settled in France after the fall of the Roman Empire. Middle French also borrowed heavily from the Italian language during the Renaissance. As a result of these linguistic and cultural influences, the name Langwell is distinguished by a number of regional variations. The many spelling variations of the name include Longeville, Longevilles, Longueville, Longuevilles, Longville, Longvilles, Longevil, Longvils, Longvile, Longviles, Longevil, Longevils, Langueville, Longevile, Longeviles, Languille, Longuevil, Langeville, Longuevils, Longuevile, Longueviles, de Longeville, de Longevilles, de Longueville, de Longuevilles, de Longville, de Longvilles, Loungeville, Loungville, Longeville de and many more.

Early Notables of the Langwell family

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

Langwell migration to the United States +

France was active as a cultural leader in the early 16th century. One particular area in which they lead was the exploration of the New World. The explorers, like Jacques Cartier in 1534, led the way to North America. Champlain, in 1608, made the first of twenty voyages to France to attract settlers and brought the first migrant in 1617. By 1675, there were 7000 French in Quebec, and the French Acadian presence in the Maritimes had reached 500. The French founded Lower Canada, thus becoming one of the two great founding nations of Canada. The family name Langwell has made many distinguished contributions in France and New France to the world of science, culture, religion, and education. Amongst the settlers in North America with this distinguished name Langwell were

Langwell Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

Sprince Langwell, aged 35, who immigrated to the United States from London, in 1903
Mrs R.A. Langwell, aged 22, who settled in America, in 1905
R.A. Langwell, aged 22, who landed in America, in 1905
Jacobus Langwell, aged 31, who immigrated to the United States, in 1923
James Langwell, aged 40, who landed in America, in 1923

Contemporary Notables of the name Langwell (post 1700) +

Clayton B. Langwell, American Democratic Party politician, Candidate for Michigan State House of Representatives from Hillsdale District, 1956 4

Citations +

The Norman People and Their Existing Descendants in the British Dominions and the United States Of America. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing, 1975. Print. (ISBN 0-8063-0636-X)
Cleveland, Dutchess of The Battle Abbey Roll with some Account of the Norman Lineages. London: John Murray, Abermarle Street, 1889. Print. Volume 2 of 3
Burke, John Bernard, The Roll of Battle Abbey. London: Edward Churton, 26, Holles Street, 1848, Print.
The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, December 1) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html