A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Long family lines. Documented in 3 countries.
vol / wingsSwiftness and protectionJ. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)“De gu. à un vol d'arg.”
The Long arms were recorded in Provence, c. 1663.
Provence was old country, with towns dating to the Romans and families who traced their land back nearly as far. Its gentry were many and long-settled, and long settlement is what fills a register.
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 France in this period.
Reigning in France when the Long arms are first recorded.
In France, a coat of arms was a mark of honor that passed down through the male line to all legitimate descendants. Families often used the same shield without changes to show their shared heritage. If a branch wanted to stand out, they could add a small mark to their shield to show their specific place in the family tree.
The history of the Long family in France is deeply rooted in the sun-drenched landscapes of Provence. By the mid-seventeenth century, the name was firmly established in this region, where family members lived as part of the local social fabric. During this era, Provence was a place of significant cultural and agricultural activity, and families like the Longs often participated in the management of land or local trade. The name itself likely originated as a descriptive nickname for a person of tall stature, a common practice for identifying individuals before the widespread use of formal surnames. Records from 1663 confirm their presence in the area, suggesting that the family had already spent generations integrating into the provincial life of southern France. Their history reflects the broader patterns of migration and settlement that shaped the French countryside long before the modern era.
cross symbolChristian faith and service
lionCourage, strength and royaltySir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Blazon (the actual original written record)“Sa. semée of crosses crosslet a lion ramp. ar. all betw. two flaunches erm”
The Long arms were recorded in Wilts, c. 1561.
Wiltshire was sheep country, and wool made money steadily for hundreds of years. Families who made it bought manors on the downs, and holding a manor was the usual reason to take 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.
Reigning in France when the Long arms are first recorded.
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.
The surname Long emerged in England as a descriptive nickname, likely used to identify a person of unusual height or long limbs during the Middle Ages. By the time surnames became fixed and hereditary, families carrying this name had established themselves in various regions, with a particularly strong presence in the county of Wiltshire. Historical records confirm that members of the Long family were well-settled in Wiltshire by 1561, where they became prominent figures in local society and land management. These early ancestors often served as local officials or landowners, helping to shape the agricultural and political landscape of the English countryside. Over the centuries, the family grew in influence, moving from these rural roots into wider roles within the regional administration of the West Country.
lionCourage, strength and royaltySir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Blazon (the actual original written record)“Sa. a lion ramp. ar. armed and langued gu. betw. two flanges erm”
The Long arms were recorded in Ireland, c. 1649.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Dublin.
Dublin was the seat of government in Ireland and the place where grants were sought and recorded. Families with business at the castle or the courts settled nearby, and settling there put their arms on record.
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.
Reigning in France when the Long arms are first recorded.
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.
The surname Long has a deep history in Ireland that often traces back to both native Gaelic roots and later arrivals from Britain. In the Gaelic tradition, the name is frequently an anglicized version of the name Ó Longáin, which originates from the word for long or tall. By the mid-seventeenth century, the family was well-established in urban centers like Dublin. Records confirm that members of the Long family were active residents of the city by 1649, a time when Ireland was undergoing significant political and social upheaval. During this era, the family name became increasingly common across the island as people moved for trade and military service. Because the name is descriptive, it likely emerged independently in different regions, meaning that those who carried it often shared a common physical trait rather than a single ancestral line. This blend of native Irish heritage and the growth of the name within the capital city helped shape the family’s presence in Irish history.
Latin term meaning tall, long, or extended in length.
