Lange
A surname of German origin referring to a tall person or someone who lived by a long field.
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 35,989 Americans carry the last name Lange. That puts it at #1,132 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 10.50 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 9,524 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Lange 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
36K
1 in 9,524
Census rank
#1,132
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
10.5
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
31K
uncommon in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 30,984 bearers of the surname Lange in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 10.50 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 1132nd position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Lange, the largest self-reported group is White at 92.7%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (2.5%) and Black (1.9%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Lange
The surname Lange has its origins in the German and Dutch languages, where it was derived from the word "lang," meaning "long" or "tall." This name first appeared in medieval times, likely given as a descriptive nickname to someone of a taller stature.
The earliest recorded use of the Lange surname dates back to the 13th century in various regions of present-day Germany and the Netherlands. It is believed to have emerged independently in multiple areas, as descriptive surnames were a common practice during this period.
One notable early reference to the name can be found in the "Codex Diplomaticus Lubecensis," a collection of historical documents from the city of Lübeck, Germany, which mentions a "Hermannus Lange" in 1278.
In the 14th century, the Lange surname appeared in various historical records, such as the "Urkundenbuch der Stadt Braunschweig" (Charter Book of the City of Brunswick), where a "Johannes Lange" is documented in 1348.
Throughout the Middle Ages and into the Renaissance, the Lange surname was widespread across German-speaking regions and the Low Countries. Notable individuals bearing this name include the Dutch painter Hendrick Goltzius (1558-1617), also known as Hendrik Goltzius Lange, and the German astronomer Johann Heinrich Lange (1728-1782).
In the 17th century, the German philosopher and polymath Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz (1646-1716), whose mother's maiden name was Lange, made significant contributions to various fields, including metaphysics, mathematics, and philosophy.
Another notable figure was the German composer and music theorist Johann Philipp Lange (1699-1765), who composed several operas and served as the Kapellmeister (music director) at the court of Darmstadt.
In the 19th century, the Lange surname gained prominence with individuals such as the German philosopher Friedrich Albert Lange (1828-1875), known for his influential work "The History of Materialism," and the German economist and sociologist Georg Lange (1815-1899), who made important contributions to the field of economics.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Lange
Among Census respondents with the surname Lange, the largest self-reported group is White at 92.7%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (2.5%) and Black (1.9%).
The bar chart below shows how Lange 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 Lange surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- White92.7%
- Hispanic or Latino2.5%
- Black or African American1.9%
- Two or more races1.4%
- Asian and Pacific Islander1.1%
- American Indian and Alaska Native0.4%
Year on year
2010 vs 2010 Census
How has the Lange 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 | #1,132 | #1,132 | 0.0% |
| Count | 30,984 | 30,984 | 0.0% |
| Per 100K | 10.50 | 10.50 | 0.0% |
Between the 2010 and 2010 Census, the number of Lange bearers went from 30,984 to 30,984 (+0.0% change). The surname held its position in the national ranking, going from #1,132 to #1,132.
Notable bearers
Famous people with the surname Lange
FAQ
Lange surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Lange?
The surname Lange holds position #1,132 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 35,989 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 10.50 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Lange surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Lange, the largest self-reported group is White at 92.7%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (2.5%) and Black (1.9%). 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.