Langdon
A habitational surname derived from any of the various places in England named Langdon, meaning "long hill."
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 10,214 Americans carry the last name Langdon. That puts it at #4,041 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 2.98 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 33,557 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Langdon surname. You will find the Census Bureau frequency data, an ancestry and ethnicity breakdown based on self-reported demographics, the name's meaning and origin where available, and answers to the most common questions people ask about this surname.
Bearers in the US
10K
1 in 33,557
Census rank
#4,041
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
3.0
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
8.8K
uncommon in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 8,794 bearers of the surname Langdon in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 2.98 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 4041st position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Langdon, the largest self-reported group is White at 92.6%. The next largest groups are Black (3.4%) and Hispanic (1.8%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Langdon
The surname Langdon has its origins in England, emerging in the medieval period around the 12th century. It is a locational name derived from various places named Langdon or Langdene, which means "long valley" in Old English. The earliest recorded instances of the name come from the Domesday Book of 1086, where it appears as "Langedune" and "Langedene".
The name was particularly prevalent in the counties of Kent and Essex, where several villages and hamlets bore the name Langdon or variations thereof. One notable example is the village of Langdon Hills in Essex, which was recorded as "Langeduna" in the Domesday Book.
Over the centuries, the name underwent various spelling variations, including Langdoun, Longdon, and Langdonne, reflecting the fluidity of English orthography during that time. One of the earliest recorded individuals with this surname was Robert de Langdon, who was mentioned in the Pipe Rolls of Gloucestershire in 1195.
In the 13th century, a prominent figure bearing the name was Thomas de Langdon, a monk and chronicler from the Abbey of St. Augustine in Canterbury. His historical works, including the "Chronicon Monasterii Sancti Augustini Cantuariensis," provide valuable insights into the events and personalities of his time.
Another notable individual was Sir John Langdon, born around 1510, who served as Lord Mayor of London in 1577. He was a successful merchant and played a significant role in the city's governance and trade affairs during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I.
In the 17th century, the name gained further prominence with the birth of Samuel Langdon in 1723. He was an influential minister and president of Harvard College, known for his political sermons and support for American independence during the Revolutionary War.
Fast-forwarding to the 19th century, John Langdon Langdon-Down, born in 1828, was a pioneering English physician who made significant contributions to the field of mental health. He was the first to describe the condition now known as Down syndrome, which was initially referred to as "Langdon-Down syndrome" in his honor.
Throughout its history, the Langdon surname has been carried by individuals from various walks of life, from clergymen and scholars to merchants and politicians, contributing to the rich tapestry of English heritage.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Langdon
Among Census respondents with the surname Langdon, the largest self-reported group is White at 92.6%. The next largest groups are Black (3.4%) and Hispanic (1.8%).
The bar chart below shows how Langdon bearers described their own race and ethnicity on the 2010 Census form. The Census Bureau groups responses into six broad categories: White, Black or African American, Hispanic or Latino, Asian and Pacific Islander, American Indian and Alaska Native, and Two or More Races. When a category has too few respondents for a given surname, the Bureau suppresses the figure to protect individual privacy, which is why some names show fewer than six slices.
Keep in mind that these are self-reported numbers. A person's surname does not determine their race or ethnicity, and the distribution you see here reflects the specific population who happened to carry the Langdon surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- White92.6%
- Black or African American3.4%
- Hispanic or Latino1.8%
- Two or more races1.3%
- Asian and Pacific Islander0.5%
- American Indian and Alaska Native0.4%
Year on year
2010 vs 2010 Census
How has the Langdon surname changed between Census years? The chart shows bearer count side by side, and the table compares rank, count, and frequency.
Census year comparison
| Metric | 2010 | 2010 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #4,041 | #4,041 | 0.0% |
| Count | 8,794 | 8,794 | 0.0% |
| Per 100K | 2.98 | 2.98 | 0.0% |
Between the 2010 and 2010 Census, the number of Langdon bearers went from 8,794 to 8,794 (+0.0% change). The surname held its position in the national ranking, going from #4,041 to #4,041.
Notable bearers
Famous people with the surname Langdon
FAQ
Langdon surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Langdon?
The surname Langdon holds position #4,041 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 10,214 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 2.98 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Langdon surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Langdon, the largest self-reported group is White at 92.6%. The next largest groups are Black (3.4%) and Hispanic (1.8%). These figures come from the 2010 Census Bureau surname tables, based on how respondents described their own race and ethnicity.
Where does this surname data come from?
All surname statistics on Name Census are drawn from the US Census Bureau's decennial surname frequency tables. These tables list every surname that appeared 100 or more times in the 2010 Census, along with a frequency rate and self-reported demographic breakdown. You can read the full explanation on our methodology page.