Lanham Family Crest, Coat of Arms and Name History

Lanham Origin:

England

Origins of Lanham:

The surname of Lanham hails from the country of England, and it is a locational surname. This means that it was often taken by the Lord or owner of the land from which the name derives. Others who may have take a locational surname are people who have migrated out of the area to seek out work. The easiest way to identify someone who was a stranger at that time was by the name of their birthplace. In the case of the surname of Lanham, it is locational for the various places with the name of Lanham in the country of England. The name itself is derived from the Old English Pre 7th Century word of “lang: which can be translated to mean “long,” and the component of “ham” which can be translated to mean “village,” or “homestead.” Thus, the surname of Lanham literally can be translated to mean “long village.” In the Doomsday Book of 1086, there were mentions of a Lanham in Dorset, Norfolk, Nottinghamshire, and Suffolk.

Variations:

More common variations are: Lawnham, Llanham, Lannham, Laynham, Leanham, Lanhm, Lanigham, Lynham, Linham, Langham

History:

England:

The first recorded spelling of the surname of Lanham was found in the country of England. One person by the name of Walter de Langham, who was mentioned in the document known as The Pipe Rolls of Dorset in the year of 1201, during the reign of one King John I, who was known throughout the ages and commonly referred to as one “The Lackland.” King John I ruled from the year of 1199 to the year of 1216. Other mentions of the surname of Lanham in the country of England include John Lanham and Mary Mason, who were married at St. Nicholas Acons, London on January 25th in the year of 1572.

United States:

During the 17th Century, European citizens migrated to the United States of America in search of a better life for them and their families. The United States o America, which at that time was referred to as The Colonies or the New World, promised freedom from religious persecution, the ability to own land, and better living conditions. This movement of people was known as the European Migration. Among those who migrated to the New World was one Josias Lanham, who arrived in the state of Maryland in the year of 1668, and one John Lanham, who arrived in the state of Maryland in the year of 1678. It is possible that someone who bore the surname of Lanham attempted to migrate to the United States before the late 17th century, and passed away en route. The living conditions on the transport ships that brought European citizens to the United States of America had poor living conditions, and many people perished during the journey. Disease took over the ships, and there was often not enough food to sustain all passengers throughout the journey. Those who did arrive in the United States of America were often riddled with diseases and starving as they began their new life in America.

Here is the population distribution of the last name Lanham: United States 11,019; Australia 873; England 860; South Africa 237; New Zealand 83; France 73; Scotland 39; Canada 36; Norway 33; Ireland 22

Notable People:

Charles C. Lanham (1928-2015) who was a businessman and politician from America, and who served as a Member of the West Virginia Senate from 2004 to the year of 2006.

Edwin Lanham (1904-1979) who was a writer from America, and who was the grandson of S. W. T. Lanham.

Major General Charles T. “Buck” Lanham (1902-1978) who was a soldier from America, and who was the first American officer to lead a break through the Siegfried Line on September 14, 1944.

Samuel Willis Tucker Lanham (1846-1908) who served as the 23rd Governor of Texas from the year 1903 to the year of 1907, and who was a politician from America.

Henderson Lovelace Lanham (1888-1957) who served as a Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from the state of Georgia from the year 1947 to the year 1957, and who was a lawyer and politician from America.

Frederick Garland “Fritz” Lanham (1880-1965) who served as Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Texas from the year 1919 to the year 1947, and who was a politician from America.

Major-General Charles Trueman Lanham (1902-1978) who was a Deputy Commandant of Armed Forces Staff College in the year of 1954.

Blazons & Genealogy Notes

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