| ![Show Contents]() Longfen History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
The Anglo-Saxon name Longfen comes from the family having resided in the region of Langland. Longfen 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 Longfen familyThe surname Longfen 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 Longfen familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Longfen research. Another 118 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1140, 1332, 1400, 1521, 1531 and 1696 are included under the topic Early Longfen History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Longfen Spelling VariationsLongfen has been spelled many different ways. Before English spelling became standardized over the last few hundred years, spelling variations in names were a common occurrence. As the English language changed in the Middle Ages, absorbing pieces of Latin and French, as well as other languages, the spelling of people's names also changed considerably, even over a single lifetime. Spelling variants included: Langland, Longlande, Longlands, Langlande and many more. Early Notables of the Longfen familyAnother 29 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Longfen Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Migration of the Longfen familyIn an attempt to escape the chaos experienced in England, many English families boarded overcrowded and diseased ships sailing for the shores of North America and other British colonies. Those families hardy enough, and lucky enough, to make the passage intact were rewarded with land and a social environment less prone to religious and political persecution. Many of these families became important contributors to the young colonies in which they settled. Early immigration and passenger lists have documented some of the first Longfens to arrive on North American shores: Jennit Langland settled in New York in 1822 with four children; William Langland settled in Virginia in 1650.
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.
- Hanks, Patricia and Flavia Hodges, A Dictionary of Surnames. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1988. Print. (ISBN 0-19-211592-8)
- 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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