Surname Langewost - Meaning and Origin
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Langewost: What does the surname Langewost mean?
The last name Langewost is of German origin and is believed to have originated in the Hanover region of present-day Lower Saxony. It is a topographic surname, which was given to a person who lived near or by a long stretch of boggy land or marsh that would often appear black during dry spells or green and lush after a good rainfall. In this area of Germany, the Old Saxon word "woste" meant marsh, and the Old High German word "langa" meant long.
Therefore, the literal translation of Langewost is “long marsh” which would most likely have been a common name in the area for somebody who farmed or lived near such a location. It is likely that those who adopted this surname were related to people who had worked the land for centuries, for many generations, in this hamlet.
Throughout history, this family name has been spelled in many different ways and has been recorded as "Langest, Langost, Langhost, Longost, Langswost, Langlost, Langewost, and Longwost" in various archival documents.
The Langewost family is known to have spread throughout Germany and beyond, establishing several branches in many countries. Those with the Langewost surname can trace their heritage to the historic province of Lower Saxony, which was part of the Hanover region before the 19th century.
Order DNA origin analysisLangewost: Where does the name Langewost come from?
The surname Langewost is most commonly found today in Germany, particularly in the region of Bavaria and the southern region of Swabia. It is also found throughout Europe and in the United States. In Germany, Langewost is often found among the older generations, with foundings in the 1700s and 1800s.
The original meaning of the surname Langewost is ‘long-forest’ and is believed to be derived from Old German. It is likely that Langewost was a topographic name of people who lived in a lengthy area of forest. In the late 19th Century, it is known that many German families were required to adopt surnames that identified their home or origin. The known variants of Langewost include Langewast, Langevast and Longforest.
In the United States, it is believed that the first Langewost families arrived in the 18th Century and were of German or Swiss origin. In the mid-1800s, many people of European descent immigrated to the U.S. as a result of famine or persecution and this could have included people with the surname Langewost. At the time of the 1890 US Census, there were numerous people with the surname Langewost living across the country, indicating its popularity.
Today, due to its German origins, the surname Langewost is usually found in areas where German immigrants have settled. It is especially common in the Midwest United States, specifically the states of Michigan, Wisconsin and Ohio. However, it can also be found in other regions. As the surname is less popular among younger generations, it is increasingly becoming less common.
Variations of the surname Langewost
The surname Langewost is derived from Germanic and Old High German origins and has many variants, spellings and surnames that stem from this same origin. Some variants of this surname include Longwost, Langevost, Longwasser, Langwasser, Longwater, Langevasser, Langenwater, Langenwasser, Longewasser, and Longenwasser. There are also some other spellings such as Langhwast, Langhwyst, and Langwyst, as well as several hyphenated surnames such as Long-Wasser and Lang-Wasser.
Many of these variants and spellings of the surname Langewost can be found in different areas of Germany, stemming from migrations within the country. In particular, one branch of the family hails largely from Prussia. Other variants of the name have been noted originating in the Netherlands, France, England, and the United States.
When looking for the same surname under different spellings, it is important to note that different branches of the same family may have taken on distinct spellings over time, or that spelling variations of a name can occur in different cultures. It is also important to consider nicknames and short forms of the surname, such as Long and Lang for Langewost, when searching for different variants.
Famous people with the name Langewost
- Jochen Langwost: is a German psychologist and lecturer.
- Joanna Langewost: is a former chess grandmaster from the Netherlands.
- Richard Langewost: is a French author and poet.
- John Langewost: is an Australian illustrator and author.
- Johann Langewost: is a professor at the University of Würzburg.
- Fonzy Langewost: is a British stand-up comedian.
- Dmitry Langewost: is a Russian businessman and former advisor to the President of Russia.
- Monique Langewost: is a French politician, and a member of the National Assembly.
- Alastair Langewost: is a British screenwriter and director.
- Martin Langewost: is a German journalist and documentary filmmaker.