Surname Lange - Meaning and Origin

A Journey through DNA: Discovering my Multicultural Ancestry and Redefining Self-Understanding

My DNA test at iGENEA did not only unravel surprising facts about my Lange ancestry but initiated a poignant self-discovery journey. Unexpected Scandinavian, Ashkenazi Jewish and Berber roots have redefined my self-understanding, working as a bridge connecting genetic traits, personal quirks, and historic events.

N. Lange

Lange: What does the surname Lange mean?

The last name Lange is found mainly in Germany and Scandinavia. It is derived from the Middle High German word "lango" which means "long" or "tall". The name can refer to someone's physical appearance or to their demeanor. For instance, a person with the last name Lange may be tall in stature or may have a dignified presence.

The first recorded use of this surname was in 1290 in Germany, when a man named Lantzo de le Lange was recorded. It is commonly found in north Germany, particularly in Hamburg, Schleswig, Holstein, and Mecklenburg. Many of the namesakes moved to the United States in the 19th and early 20th centuries.

Lange is an old-fashioned yet sophisticated surname, and it carries with it a pleasant connotation thanks to its use in Germany and Scandinavia. As a result, people with this name often benefit from a pleasant affinity towards their cultural roots. The surname is a reminder of the perseverance of the Germanic people through history.

Lange: Where does the name Lange come from?

The last name Lange is most commonly found in Germany, with more than 250,000 people bearing the name. It is the 15th most frequent last name in Germany, and is also common throughout Scandinavia and Eastern Europe.

Migrants have also brought the name to other countries, including the United States, Canada, Australia, South America, and a number of European countries. It has been recorded in most American states since at least the 1940s.

In the United States, the most populous states where the last name Lange is found are California, New York, Florida, Pennsylvania, Illinois, Oregon, and Wisconsin. It also has a strong presence in the US military, with one researcher estimating that around 8,400 military personnel have borne the last name since the Revolutionary War.

While Lange is mainly a German name, it is likely derived from a Latin word, “longus”, meaning “long”. It is also speculated to have originated from the Middle Low German word “lange”, meaning “tall” or “gray haired”. Intermarriages between Scandinavian and Germanic populations likely spread the name throughout Europe.

Variations of the surname Lange

Lange is a fairly common surname of German, Dutch, and Danish origins. The name is derived from the medieval Germanic word “lange,” which means “long.” It was originally used to describe someone who was tall or of great stature.

The most common variants of Lange are Long, Lang, Langer, and Langen. The English versions include Long, Lane, Lang, Langley, and Langston. In German, it is spelled Lange, Lang, Langen, Langner, and Langmann. In Dutch, the spellings are Lange, Langh, Langeveld, Langzaam, and Langbroek. The Danish variants are Lange, Lang, Langballe, Langberg, and Langeskov.

Variations in spelling and pronunciation of the Lange surname can occur in different regions and cultures. For example, in areas of central and eastern Europe, the final “e” in Lange may be dropped and the spelling becomes Lang. The Long surname is the most common English variant of Lange and can be found in Scotland, Ireland, and England. It can also be spelled “Lang” in certain areas.

Some surnames that descend from the original Lange surname are Langerhans, Langenscheidt, and Langfitt. Langerhans is derived from the combination of Lange and Hahn, meaning “long rooster.” Langenscheidt is derived from four components: Lange, schneid, tall, and mecklenberg, meaning “tall person in the county of Mecklenberg.” Langfitt is derived from both the words Lange and Fitt, which means “long and strong.”

In all, there are numerous variants and spellings for the Lange surname, all of which describe a tall, strong person.

Famous people with the name Lange

• Jessica Lange: Academy Award, Emmy Award and Golden Globe Award-winning American actress.
• Samina Ahmad Lange: Pakistani television actress.
• Franz Ferdinand Karl Ludwig Joseph Maria Lange: archduke of Austria.
• David Lange: former Prime Minister of New Zealand.
• Phillip Lange: American former college basketball player.
• Richard Henry Lange: former American television and motion picture actor.
• Marie Lange: French tennis player.
• Natasha Lange: Australian model.
• Maggy Lange: association football player from Mexico.
• Christian Lange: Norwegian Professor of International Law.
• Joseph Lange: Austrian actor best known for his roles in Mozart’s operas.
• Bill Lange: American former voice actor and motion picture sound engineer.
• Willy Lange: former German long-distance runner.
• Loin Lange: American stage actor.
• Johann Peter Lange: Dutch theologian of the 19th century.

Other surnames

LangLanganLangbauerLangbeinLangcasterLangdenLangdonLangdownLangehansLangehorstLangejürgenLangelohLangelotzLangemannLangemantelLangemeierLangemeyerLangenLangenauLangeneckhardtLangeneggerLangenhorstLangenickelLangenmantelLangenscheidLangenscheidtLangerLangerhansLangermann