Last Names

Surnames / L

Langston

What is the origin of the last name Langston?

English originLocational (a place or landscape)Rank #1,816 in the US

Meaning and origin

The last name Langston has its origins in English and Scottish surname deriving from a place name. It is believed to derive from the Old English words "lang," meaning long, and "stan," meaning stone or rock. Over time, this surname became associated with families who hailed from various places in England and Scotland, ultimately becoming a hereditary surname passed down through generations.

The longer story

The last name Langston is a surname of English origin. It is derived from a place name, specifically from the combination of two Old English elements: "lang," meaning "long," and "tun," meaning "settlement" or "enclosure." As a result, the name Langston translates to "long settlement" or "long enclosure."

The geographical origins of the Langston surname can be traced back to the county of Lancashire in England. The name Langston may have been adopted by individuals who either resided in or had ancestral connections to this area.

Throughout history, individuals with the Langston name have migrated to various parts of the world, including the United States. The Langston surname can be found among different communities, particularly in the southern states.

Surname origins are rarely settled: one spelling can have several sources, and families often took a name for reasons nobody wrote down. Check it against the sources below before you rely on it.

#1,816

Langston was the 1,816th most common surname in the 2010 US Census, with 19,742 people, about 6.4 in every 100,000.

Who carries it

  • White (non-Hispanic)71.7%
  • Hispanic or Latino2.4%
  • Black (non-Hispanic)22.4%
  • Asian or Pacific Islander0.4%
  • Two or more races2.4%
  • American Indian or Alaska Native0.7%

Where it is found

Countries linked to Langston.

Surnames like Langston

Names it is linked with, then names with the same origin and a similar standing.

Check the sources

For a name you are serious about, compare the dictionaries: Reaney and Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames; Hanks, Dictionary of American Family Names.