Map of England showing where the Langford arms are recorded
The Langford arms were recorded in Oxford, c. 1461.
Oxfordshire was farming country with the university at its centre, and both produced families of standing. Scholars and lawyers who did well bought manors nearby, and holding a manor was the ordinary route to a coat of arms.
This is where the arms were entered in the register. Families often moved to other parts of the country, so the same name can turn up in more than one region.
The body that granted and recorded arms in England in this period.
Henry VI of England
Sovereign of the period
Henry VI of England
1422–1461
Reigning in England when the Langford arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in England
English heraldry allowed arms to be shared by all legitimate descendants of the original owner. These symbols were treated as personal property that moved through the generations to all children. While the eldest son kept the original design, other family members could use the same shield without needing to change it or register their own unique versions.
Granting authority
The College of Arms in London has regulated the use of coats of arms throughout England and Wales since 1484.
How they got arms
Families typically obtained their coats of arms through a formal grant from the Crown or by proving their ancient right to them.
Where arms were recorded
All official coats of arms are recorded in the registers kept at the College of Arms, which date back to the fifteenth century.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Oxford.
Origin & History of the Langford Family in England
The surname Langford is a locational name that originated in England, typically referring to people who lived near a long ford or a crossing point over a river. By the mid-fifteenth century, the family had established a notable presence in Oxford, as evidenced by records from 1461. During this period, Oxford was a growing center of trade and scholarship, and families like the Langfords were often involved in the local economy or the administration of the university town. Because the name is derived from common geographical features found throughout the English countryside, it likely emerged independently in several different regions. Over time, those who carried the name became part of the local social fabric, moving from rural settlements into the bustling urban environments of medieval England.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
lionCourage, strength and royalty
Colours
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Green (Vert)Means: Hope
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Historical info
Source
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Paly of six sa. and or, on a chief vert a lion pass. of the field”
AntrimMuckmaire · Antrim, c. 1630
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
Map of Ireland showing where the Langford arms are recorded
The Langford arms were recorded in Antrim, c. 1630.
Antrim was north-eastern Irish country settled from Scotland in the seventeenth century. The new landowners took formal grants and had them recorded, so their arms are unusually well documented.
This is where the arms were entered in the register. Families often moved to other parts of the country, so the same name can turn up in more than one region.
The body that granted and recorded arms in Ireland in this period.
Charles I of England
Sovereign of the period
Charles I of England
1625–1649
Reigning in England when the Langford arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Ireland
The Ulster King of Arms granted coats of arms to individuals who proved their social standing and good character. These symbols were typically inherited by all legitimate descendants of the original holder. If a family branch wanted a unique look, they could apply for a specific change to their design through the office to ensure their identity remained distinct.
Granting authority
The Ulster King of Arms acted as the official body that regulated and issued all coats of arms throughout Ireland.
How they got arms
Families obtained their arms through formal grants issued by the office after proving their eligibility and paying the required fees.
Where arms were recorded
All official grants were recorded in the registers held by the Ulster King of Arms starting from the year 1552.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Antrim.
Origin & History of the Langford Family in Ireland
The Langford family name arrived in Ireland during a period of significant migration and land settlement in the seventeenth century. Records confirm that members of the family were established in County Antrim by 1630, likely arriving as part of the broader movement of settlers from Britain to Ulster during the plantation era. The name itself is of English origin, derived from a place name meaning a long ford, which suggests that the earliest ancestors lived near a specific river crossing. Once in Antrim, the family integrated into the local administrative and social structures of the region. They became part of the growing community of landowners and officials who helped shape the development of Northern Ireland during the mid-1600s. Over the following generations, the family expanded their influence across the province, leaving a lasting mark on the history of the area.
Langford Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
lang + ford
Old English for long and a shallow river crossing.
This name
LangfordRefers to someone who lived near a long crossing point over a river.
also spelled
Langeford
Langforth
Related arms
Cardemensame arms
Langefordsame arms
Longfordsame arms
Lagfordvariant spelling
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Bardsley, Charles Wareing, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames, 1901
Reaney, Percy Hide, A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
Oxfordshire History Centre, Oxford City Records: Records of the Mayor’s Court, 1461
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
lionCourage, strength and royalty
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
lionCourage, strength and royalty
