Langridge

This interesting name is of Anglo-Saxon origin, and is a locational surname, from Lanridge in Somerset, and Longridge in Lancashire and Staffordshire. The derivation is from the Olde English pre 7th Century "lang", long, with "hrycg", a ridge. The place in Somerset was first recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as "Lancheris"; as "Langerig" in the Assize Rolls of that county of 1225; and as "Langerigge" in the Hundred Rolls of 1276. Locational surnames were usually acquired by a local landowner, or by the lord of the manor, and especially by those former inhabitants of a place who had moved to another area, and were thereafter best identified by the name of their birthplace. The earliest recording of Longridge in Lancashire is found in the Feet of Fines of 1246 as "Langrig", and in Staffordshire as "Langrige" in 1199, and as "Langerugge" in 1236. Recordings from London Church Registers include the marriage of Nicholas Langridge and Jane Bell on May 30th 1598, at St. Margaret's, Westminster, and the christening of their first born son, John, on March 21st 1599, at the same church. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Margery Langrige married John Shrowley, which was dated May 30th 1575, marriage to John Shrowley, at St. Giles' Cripplegate, London, during the reign of Queen Elizabeth 1, known as "Good Queen Bess", 1558 - 1603. Surnames became necessary when governments introduced personal taxation. In England this was known as Poll Tax. Throughout the centuries, surnames in every country have continued to "develop" often leading to astonishing variants of the original spelling.