Long

This interesting name is of Anglo-Saxon origin, and is an example of that sizeable group of early European surnames that were gradually created from the habitual use of nicknames. The nicknames were given in the first instance with reference to a variety of characteristics, such as physical attributes or peculiarities, mental and moral characteristics, supposed resemblance to an animal or bird's appearance or disposition, habits or dress, and occupation. In this instance the nickname was given to a tall person, derived from the Old English pre 7th Century "lang, long", long, tall, from the Latin "longus". The name development since 972 (see below) includes: Berard Long (1121 - 1148, Suffolk), Godfrey Lunge (1179, Gloucester) and Adam ye Langge (1279, Yorkshire). The modern surname can be found as Long, Lang(e), Lung and Laing. One John Long was an early emigrant to the Barbadoes in April 1635. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Aetheric des Langa, which was dated 972, Old English Bynames, Northamptonshire, during the reign of King Edgar, 959 - 975. 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.