Langley

Langley is a popular British surname of Old English origin, with roots dating back to the medieval period. The name is locational in nature, originating from various places in England called Langley, which means "long wood" or "long clearing".

Origins:

The Langley surname is derived from the Old English words "lang" and "leah", meaning "long" and "wood" respectively. This suggests that the original bearers of the name likely hailed from a settlement or place characterised by a long stretch of woodland.

Distribution:

The Langley surname is widely distributed across the United Kingdom, particularly in regions where the historical lang or long ley settlements existed. The name can be found in various counties such as Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, and Norfolk, among others.

Notable Individuals:

Thomas Langley (1363–1437): A prominent figure in medieval England, Thomas Langley served as the Bishop of Durham, and later as a cardinal. He was a key advisor to King Henry V and Henry VI.

Walter Langley (1852–1922): A renowned British painter associated with the Newlyn School of artists. Walter Langley's works often depicted scenes of fisherfolk and life in the coastal villages of Cornwall.

Sam Langley (b. 1985): A contemporary British actor known for his roles in several popular TV series and theatre productions.

In Popular Culture:

The Langley surname has been featured in various works of fiction and media, often associated with characters of English or British descent.

References:

  1. Reaney, P. H., & Wilson, R. M. (1995). A Dictionary of British Surnames.
  2. Hanks, P., Coates, R., & McClure, P. (2016). The Oxford Dictionary of Family Names in Britain and Ireland.

There are approximately 13,496 people named Langley in the UK. That makes it the 665th most common surname in Britain. Around 207 in a million people in Britain are named Langley.

Surname type: Location or geographical feature

Origin: English

Region of origin: British Isles

Country of origin: England

Religion of origin: Christian

Language of origin: English

Typical given names associated with the surname

Male

  • Andrew
  • Christopher
  • David
  • John
  • Mark
  • Michael
  • Paul
  • Peter
  • Richard
  • Robert

Female

  • Claire
  • Elizabeth
  • Emma
  • Julie
  • Karen
  • Margaret
  • Mary
  • Patricia
  • Sarah
  • Susan

Similar and related surnames

Related and similar names are generated algorithmically based on the spelling, and may not necessarily share an etymology.

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