Longton History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Ireland

The ancestors of the Longton surname lived among the ancient Anglo-Saxon culture. The name comes from when they 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 Longton family

The surname Longton 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 Longton family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Longton 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 Longton History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Longton Spelling Variations

Before English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago, spelling variations of names were a common occurrence. Elements of Latin, French and other languages became incorporated into English through the Middle Ages, and name spellings changed even among the literate. The variations of the surname Longton include Langton, Langston and others.

Early Notables of the Longton 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 Longton Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Longton family to Ireland

Some of the Longton 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.

Longton migration to the United States +

A great wave of immigration to the New World was the result of the enormous political and religious disarray that struck England at that time. Families left for the New World in extremely large numbers. The long journey was the end of many immigrants and many more arrived sick and starving. Still, those who made it were rewarded with an opportunity far greater than they had known at home in England. These emigrant families went on to make significant contributions to these emerging colonies in which they settled. Some of the first North American settlers carried this name or one of its variants:

Longton Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

Fred Longton, aged 18, who arrived in N Y in 1919 aboard the ship "Omsk" from Gibraltar, Spain 5
Charles E Longton, aged 30, who arrived in New York in 1921 aboard the ship "Massilia" from Glasgow, Scotland 5
Lillian Mae Longton, aged 50, originally from London, England, who arrived in New York in 1921 aboard the ship "Saxonia" from London, England 5

Contemporary Notables of the name Longton (post 1700) +

Helen Cecilia Longton, American Democratic Party politician, Alternate Delegate to Democratic National Convention from Ohio, 1944 6
Arturo Longton Guerro (1948-2015), Chilean lawyer and politician, the first Governor of Marga Marga Province from 2010 to 2012

The Longton 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.

Citations +

Mills, A.D., Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-19-869156-4)
Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
Shirley, Evelyn Philip, The Noble and Gentle Men of England; The Arms and Descents. Westminster: John Bower Nichols and Sons, 1866, Print.
Ellis Island Search retrieved 15th November 2022. Retrieved from https://heritage.statueofliberty.org/passenger-result
The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, November 12) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html