Show ContentsLongmead History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Of all the Anglo-Saxon names to come from Britain, Longmead is one of the most ancient. The name is a result of the original family having lived in the village of Langmead, in the county of Devon. This surname was used to refer to those individuals who lived at the lang-mead, which literally means the long meadow.

Early Origins of the Longmead family

The surname Longmead was first found in Devon, where the name dates back to at least the 14th century. 1 There are numerous different spellings of the surname.

Early History of the Longmead family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Longmead research. Another 51 words (4 lines of text) covering the year 1808 is included under the topic Early Longmead History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Longmead Spelling Variations

The first dictionaries that appeared in the last few hundred years did much to standardize the English language. Before that time, spelling variations in names were a common occurrence. The language was changing, incorporating pieces of other languages, and the spelling of names changed with it. Longmead has been spelled many different ways, including Langmead, Langemead, Langmeed, Langmede, Langemede, Langmaid, Langmayd, Langmade, Longmead, Longmate and many more.

Early Notables of the Longmead family

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


Canada Longmead migration to Canada +

Thousands of English families in this era began to emigrate the New World in search of land and freedom from religious and political persecution. Although the passage was expensive and the ships were dark, crowded, and unsafe, those who made the voyage safely were rewarded with opportunities unavailable to them in their homeland. Research into passenger and immigration lists has revealed some of the very first Longmeads to arrive in North America:

Longmead Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century
  • Mary Longmead, aged 28, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1833 aboard the ship "Amynta" from Plymouth, England


  1. Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.


Houseofnames.com on Facebook