Langway
A locational surname referring to someone from a town or area with a long road or path.
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 206 Americans carry the last name Langway. That puts it at #101,247 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 0.06 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 1,663,856 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Langway 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
206
1 in 1,663,856
Census rank
#101,247
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
0.1
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
178
very rare in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 178 bearers of the surname Langway in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 0.06 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 101247th position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Langway, the largest self-reported group is White at 92.1%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (5.6%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Langway
The surname Langway has its origins in England and can be traced back to the late 12th century. It is believed to have derived from the Old English words "lang" meaning long and "weg" meaning way or road, potentially referring to someone who lived near a long road or path.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Langway appears in the Pipe Rolls of Yorkshire from the year 1195, where a person named William Langway is mentioned. This suggests that the name was already in use by that time in the northern regions of England.
In the 14th century, there are records of the Langway family residing in the village of Langway, located in the county of Oxfordshire. This place name is likely related to the surname, further reinforcing the connection between the name and the concept of a long road or pathway.
During the medieval period, the name Langway was also found in various manuscripts and records across England, including the Hundred Rolls of 1273, which documented landowners and their holdings. In these rolls, several individuals bearing the surname Langway are mentioned, indicating the widespread presence of the family at that time.
One notable figure in history who bore the surname Langway was Sir Robert Langway (1462-1528), a prominent English landowner and knight who served as a member of the Privy Council under King Henry VIII. Another person of note was Elizabeth Langway (1564-1623), a renowned herbalist and apothecary who authored several books on medicinal plants and their uses.
In the 17th century, the Langway family had established themselves in the county of Gloucestershire, where Thomas Langway (1612-1679) was a respected landowner and served as a local magistrate. Another prominent individual was William Langway (1688-1752), a successful merchant and philanthropist who contributed to the establishment of several schools and charitable institutions in his hometown.
The surname Langway also found its way to the American colonies in the 18th century, with records indicating that John Langway (1724-1792) immigrated from England and settled in Virginia, where he became a prosperous farmer and landowner.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Langway
Among Census respondents with the surname Langway, the largest self-reported group is White at 92.1%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (5.6%).
The bar chart below shows how Langway 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 Langway surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- White92.1%
- Hispanic or Latino5.6%
Year on year
2010 vs 2010 Census
How has the Langway 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 | #101,247 | #101,247 | 0.0% |
| Count | 178 | 178 | 0.0% |
| Per 100K | 0.06 | 0.06 | 0.0% |
Between the 2010 and 2010 Census, the number of Langway bearers went from 178 to 178 (+0.0% change). The surname held its position in the national ranking, going from #101,247 to #101,247.
Notable bearers
Famous people with the surname Langway
FAQ
Langway surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Langway?
The surname Langway holds position #101,247 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 206 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 0.06 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Langway surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Langway, the largest self-reported group is White at 92.1%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (5.6%). 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.