Surname Langehans - Meaning and Origin
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Langehans: What does the surname Langehans mean?
The last name Langehans is derived from a German surname, which indicates it originated in the German-speaking regions of central Europe. The name is derived from two elements; "Lange" which means "long" and "Hans" which is a variant of the name Johannes, a form of the name John. The name originated as a reference to someone of tall stature, as the literal interpretation of Langehans is "Long John".
The name is an example of patronymic surnames formed from the combination of personal names, as the practice of beginning a surname with one's own given name was common in the past, particularly in the German-speaking countries of Europe. Over time, the surnames began to take on a more permanent and hereditary quality, setting aside a clear line of inheritance for family members.
Today, the last name Langehans continues to be quite popular among German-speaking families, often taking on various regional or local variations, such as Langenhan, Langenheim, Langenback, Langenkamp or Langenhagen. It is rarely found in English-speaking countries, although it continues to be a common name in parts of the continent.
Order DNA origin analysisLangehans: Where does the name Langehans come from?
The last name Langehans is most common today in the German-speaking countries of Austria, Germany, and Switzerland. It is also found in smaller numbers in other nearby countries such as the Czech Republic, France, Netherlands, and Belgium.
The surname has its roots in the Middle Ages, when it was used by nobility. The name is derived from the baronial family of Langenhahn-Cammerhoff, first documented in a 1377 record along the river Rhine in Kranenburg, Germany. It is believed to have been derived from the Old German words ‘lang’, meaning ‘long’ and ‘hahn’, meaning ‘rooster’. This is thought to refer to the family's long association with the region of Kranenburg and their crest, which likely contained a rooster.
The name Langehans is quite rare in the United States. There are only around 500 individuals with this last name living in the US. Those found in the US, however, can be traced back to at least the mid-19th century when several members of the Langehans/Langenhahn family emigrated from Germany.
Today, many family branches of the Langehans family can still be found in Germany, although the name is quite uncommon. Those with the Langenhahn variation can also still be found in Europe, although their numbers have slowly diminished over the years.
Variations of the surname Langehans
The surname Langehans is derived from the German given name “Lang Hans” or “Long Hans”. The German words translated to English mean “long” and “John” respectively.
Langehans is also found in many other forms, even outside of its German roots. Variations of badge name Langehans include Langenhan, Liehngehans, Linghans, Langhans, and Longenhan. In non-German regions, the surname may also be spelled as Langhanse, Lefangeans, Lankhains, and Lengenes.
Surnames from the same origin as Langehans may be found in different countries and cultures, mostly in Europe. Some other surnames that may have originated from Langehans include Longain, Longeau, Lefangey, Lenghans, and Longnon.
The surname Langehans may also appear as part of a compound surname, or may be combined with a patronymic or other name. Common compounding of the Langehans surname includes Langehans-Thiele, Langehans-Granzow, Langenhans-Deutzer, and Langehans-Heine. There may also be other versions of compounding that have yet to be uncovered.
In conclusion, the surname Langehans has a wide variety of variant spellings and surnames stemming from a single origin. Its descendants are spread out all over the world, in countries such as Germany, France, and Austria. There are also many compound surnames derived from Langehans that are still in use today.
Famous people with the name Langehans
- Charley Langehans: Professional kayaker and national championship medalist.
- Sven Langehans: German professional basketball player.
- Eleanor Langehans: Award-winning author and long-time Los Angeles Times book critic.
- Will Langehans: Professional golfer who has won numerous tournaments on the professional tours.
- Edward Langehans: Renowned antique dealer and expert in American furniture.
- Louise Langehans: Violin teacher and winner of the Curtiss Musical Arts Award.
- Frances Langehans: Award-winning author and retired professor of English literature.
- Reuben Langehans: CEO and majority shareholder of LWC industries, a manufacturing firm.
- Lita Langehans: Well-known sculptor, painter and graphic designer with numerous exhibitions.
- Walter Langehans: Award-winning composer and concert pianist.