NameCensus.

UK surname

Lange

A surname of German origin referring to a tall person or someone who lived by a long field.

In the 1881 census there were 248 people recorded with the Lange surname, ranking it #11,140 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 791, ranked #6,984, up from #11,140 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Newcastle St Andrew, London parishes and St James Clerkenwell. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include South Norfolk, Pendle and Pembrokeshire.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Lange is 792 in 2014. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 219.0%.

1881 census count

248

Ranked #11,140

Modern count

791

2016, ranked #6,984

Peak year

2014

792 bearers

Map years

8

1861 to 2016

Key insights

  • Lange had 248 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #11,140 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 791 in 2016, ranked #6,984.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 370 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Diverse Educated Urban Singles.

Lange surname distribution map

The map shows where the Lange surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.

Distribution map

Lange surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Lange over time

The table below tracks recorded surname counts and rank from the 19th-century census years through the modern adult-register period.

Year Period Count Rank
1851 historical 71 #20,875
1861 historical 127 #17,469
1881 historical 248 #11,140
1891 historical 315 #10,669
1901 historical 345 #10,541
1911 historical 370 #9,852
1997 modern 596 #8,188
1998 modern 619 #8,209
1999 modern 617 #8,296
2000 modern 621 #8,225
2001 modern 611 #8,182
2002 modern 612 #8,345
2003 modern 614 #8,178
2004 modern 618 #8,164
2005 modern 610 #8,176
2006 modern 605 #8,236
2007 modern 635 #8,022
2008 modern 663 #7,792
2009 modern 702 #7,626
2010 modern 762 #7,301
2011 modern 745 #7,351
2012 modern 760 #7,150
2013 modern 775 #7,152
2014 modern 792 #7,060
2015 modern 792 #6,990
2016 modern 791 #6,984

Geography

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Where Langes are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Newcastle St Andrew, London parishes, St James Clerkenwell and St George, Hanover Square, Buckingham Palace. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to South Norfolk, Pendle, Pembrokeshire, Leicester and Warwick. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.

Some modern areas include a three-digit suffix, such as Leeds 110. The suffix is a small-area code, so it stays in the table while the prose uses the plain place name.

Top historical parishes

Rank Parish Area
1 Newcastle St Andrew Northumberland
2 London parishes London 1
3 London parishes London 3
4 St James Clerkenwell London (Central Districts)
5 St George, Hanover Square, Buckingham Palace London (West Districts)

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 South Norfolk 013 South Norfolk
2 Pendle 005 Pendle
3 Pembrokeshire 001 Pembrokeshire
4 Leicester 022 Leicester
5 Warwick 004 Warwick

Forenames

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First names often paired with Lange

These lists show first names that appear often with the Lange surname in historical and recent records.

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Lange

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Lange, this points to the kinds of places where the surname is most concentrated today.

These neighbourhood labels describe areas, not individual people. They are useful because surnames often cluster through family history, migration, housing patterns and local work. A surname can be strongest in one type of neighbourhood even when people with that name live across the country.

The UK classification gives the national picture. The London classification is more specific to the capital, where housing, age profile, tenure and population mix can look quite different from the rest of the UK.

UK neighbourhood type

UK Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Multicultural and Educated Urbanites

Group

Diverse Educated Urban Singles

Nationally, the Lange surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Diverse Educated Urban Singles, within Multicultural and Educated Urbanites. This does not mean every Lange household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

This Group includes many never-married individuals not living with dependent children. Many were born in EU countries and are now aged between 25-44. This Group is characterised by its ethnic group diversity, although those identifying as Asian are not well represented. Affiliation with the Christian religion amongst residents is low. Reported disability rates are low. Neighbourhoods include some central locations in London and other major cities. Private renting is the norm, and there is some overcrowding. Many individuals are educated to degree level, and full-time employment is common, particularly in managerial and professional occupations.

Wider pattern

Established populations comprising ethnic minorities together with persons born outside the UK predominate in this Supergroup. Residents present diverse personal characteristics and circumstances: while generally well-educated and practising skilled occupations, some residents live in overcrowded rental sector housing. English may not be the main language used by people in this Group. Although the typical adult resident is middle aged, single person households are common and marriage rates are low by national standards. This Supergroup predominates in Inner London, with smaller enclaves in many other densely populated metropolitan areas.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

The Greater London Mix

Group

Skilled Trades and Construction Workers

Within London, Lange is most associated with areas classed as Skilled Trades and Construction Workers, part of The Greater London Mix. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.

Read profile summary

Group profile

These scattered, peripheral and often low residential density neighbourhoods house more workers in skilled trades and construction. Few households rent social housing and there are few students. Multiple car ownership is higher than the Supergroup average, perhaps because of poorer public transport connectivity. Incidence of mixed or multiple ethnicity is below the Supergroup average, and the absence of individuals identifying as Pakistani or Other Asian groups is also less pronounced. Flatted accommodation is less dominant than elsewhere in the Supergroup.

Wider London pattern

A Supergroup embodying London's diversity in many respects, apart from low numbers of residents identifying as of Bangladeshi, Indian, Pakistani or Other (non-Chinese) Asian ethnicity. There is lower than average prevalence of families with dependent children, while there are above average occurrences of never-married individuals and single-person households. The age distribution is skewed towards younger, single residents and couples without children, with many individuals identifying as of mixed or multiple ethnicity. Social rented or private rented housing is slightly more prevalent than average, and many residents live in flats. Individuals typically work in professional and associated roles in public administration, education or health rather than in elementary occupations in agriculture, energy, water, construction or manufacturing. Incidence of students is slightly below average. Individuals declaring no religion are more prevalent than average and non-use of English at home is below average.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Lange is most concentrated in decile 10 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the healthier end of the index.

Lower deciles point towards weaker access to healthy assets or stronger exposure to local hazards. Higher deciles point towards stronger access and fewer hazards.

10
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Lange falls in decile 6 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname near the middle of the scale.

Decile 1 represents the more deprived end of the scale. Decile 10 represents the less deprived end.

6
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Lange is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 50-60 mbit/s.

The scale below places that band in context, from slower local download bands through to faster ones.

8
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - Other

This describes the area pattern most associated with Lange, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Lange

The surname Lange has its origins in the German and Dutch languages, where it was derived from the word "lang," meaning "long" or "tall." This name first appeared in medieval times, likely given as a descriptive nickname to someone of a taller stature.

The earliest recorded use of the Lange surname dates back to the 13th century in various regions of present-day Germany and the Netherlands. It is believed to have emerged independently in multiple areas, as descriptive surnames were a common practice during this period.

One notable early reference to the name can be found in the "Codex Diplomaticus Lubecensis," a collection of historical documents from the city of Lübeck, Germany, which mentions a "Hermannus Lange" in 1278.

In the 14th century, the Lange surname appeared in various historical records, such as the "Urkundenbuch der Stadt Braunschweig" (Charter Book of the City of Brunswick), where a "Johannes Lange" is documented in 1348.

Throughout the Middle Ages and into the Renaissance, the Lange surname was widespread across German-speaking regions and the Low Countries. Notable individuals bearing this name include the Dutch painter Hendrick Goltzius (1558-1617), also known as Hendrik Goltzius Lange, and the German astronomer Johann Heinrich Lange (1728-1782).

In the 17th century, the German philosopher and polymath Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz (1646-1716), whose mother's maiden name was Lange, made significant contributions to various fields, including metaphysics, mathematics, and philosophy.

Another notable figure was the German composer and music theorist Johann Philipp Lange (1699-1765), who composed several operas and served as the Kapellmeister (music director) at the court of Darmstadt.

In the 19th century, the Lange surname gained prominence with individuals such as the German philosopher Friedrich Albert Lange (1828-1875), known for his influential work "The History of Materialism," and the German economist and sociologist Georg Lange (1815-1899), who made important contributions to the field of economics.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Lange families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Lange surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.

Top counties

Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Middlesex leads with 127 Langes recorded in 1881 and an index of 5.21x.

County Total Index
Middlesex 127 5.21x
Lancashire 27 0.93x
Yorkshire 10 0.41x
Cheshire 9 1.67x
Durham 9 1.24x
Northumberland 9 2.48x
Essex 8 1.66x
Kent 8 0.96x
Surrey 8 0.67x
Clackmannanshire 7 34.76x
Norfolk 6 1.60x
Hertfordshire 3 1.78x
Lanarkshire 3 0.38x
Channel Islands 2 2.77x
Glamorgan 2 0.47x
Hampshire 2 0.40x
Midlothian 2 0.61x
Sussex 2 0.49x
Berkshire 1 0.55x
Cambridgeshire 1 0.65x
Devon 1 0.20x
Fife 1 0.69x
Gloucestershire 1 0.21x
Leicestershire 1 0.37x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Islington London in Middlesex leads with 14 Langes recorded in 1881 and an index of 5.92x.

Place Total Index
Islington London 14 5.92x
Kensington London 12 8.85x
St George Hanover Square 12 27.93x
St Marylebone London 9 6.91x
Jesmond 8 156.56x
West Ham 8 7.53x
Westminster St John 8 26.94x
Alloa 7 71.65x
Clerkenwell London 7 12.16x
Everton 7 7.59x
Southwark St George Martyr 7 14.27x
St Luke London 7 17.90x
St Martin In Fields 6 41.10x
Withington 6 64.38x
Barrow In Furness 5 12.71x
Deptford St Nicholas 5 75.76x
Hammersmith London 5 8.32x
Oxton 5 164.47x
Sculthorpe 5 1020.41x
St Giles Cripplegate 5 154.32x
St Giles In Fields London 5 41.81x
Stoke Newington London 5 26.33x
Gateshead 4 7.36x
Hackney London 4 2.93x
Limehouse London 4 14.94x
Manningham 4 13.44x
St Pancras London 4 2.04x
Toxteth Park 4 4.08x
Whitechapel London 4 16.64x
Birkenhead 3 6.99x
Redbourn 3 163.04x
Rusholme 3 38.86x
Tottenham 3 7.72x
Whitburn 3 177.51x
Barony 2 1.00x
Holy Trinity 2 3.44x
Llandaff 2 14.15x
Paddington London 2 2.23x
Shoreditch London 2 1.89x
St Anne Soho London 2 14.36x
All Saints Cambridge 1 91.74x
Bethnal Green London 1 0.94x
Brighton 1 1.21x
Bristol St James In 1 14.22x
Burntisland 1 24.75x
Castle Acre 1 90.09x
Caterham 1 19.05x
Charlton Next Woolwich 1 11.52x
Chiswick 1 7.51x
Chorlton On Medlock 1 2.18x
Deptford St Paul 1 1.56x
Edinburgh St Cuthberts 1 0.76x
Edinburgh St Marys 1 15.75x
Feltham 1 41.15x
Fulham London 1 2.83x
Hastings St Mary 1 9.78x
Holdenhurst 1 7.63x
Hound 1 29.50x
Knutsford Over 1 294.12x
Leicester St Margaret 1 1.52x
Lesmahagow 1 11.99x
Middlesbrough 1 3.18x
Milton In Gravesend 1 8.01x
North Shields 1 13.81x
Northowram 1 5.90x
Oldham 1 1.07x
Poplar London 1 2.17x
Reading St Mary 1 6.82x
South Shields 1 15.48x
St George In East London 1 4.36x
St Helier 1 4.25x
St Peter Port 1 7.48x
Stokenham 1 69.93x
Twickenham 1 9.56x
Wentworth 1 66.67x
Westoe 1 2.43x
York St Maurice 1 21.98x

Top female names

These are the female first names most often recorded with the Lange surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.

Name Count
Mary 6
Emma 5
Elizabeth 4
Emily 4
Ann 3
Caroline 3
Eliza 3
Jane 3
Kate 3
Maria 3
Martha 3
Pauline 3
Ada 2
Alice 2
Beatrice 2
Camilla 2
Catherine 2
Clara 2
Emilie 2
Flora 2
Florence 2
Jenny 2
Jessie 2
Johanna 2
Julia 2
Margaret 2
Amelia 1
Bridget 1
C. 1
Carl 1
Cecilia 1
Constance 1
Dolicite 1
Dora 1
Dorothea 1
Elizbth. 1
Ellen 1
Elsa 1
Frederica 1
Frieda 1
Hannah 1
Harriet 1
Henrietta 1
Henry 1
Hermina 1
Hilda 1
Isabella 1
Jennie 1
Johama 1
Williamie 1

Top male names

These are the male first names most often recorded with the Lange surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.

Name Count
William 9
John 7
Ernest 6
Charles 5
Henry 5
Albert 4
Herman 4
Alfred 3
Carl 3
Edward 3
Frederick 3
Paul 3
Richard 3
Fredk. 2
George 2
Gustav 2
Harry 2
Hermann 2
James 2
Leopold 2
Otto 2
Walter 2
Arnold 1
Arthur 1
Daniel 1
Ferdinand 1
Fr. 1
Franz 1
G. 1
Geo. 1
Gustavo 1
Hartmann 1
Heissi 1
Heugo 1
Hugh 1
J.G.E. 1
Johann 1
Johannies 1
Julian 1
Karl 1
Ludwig 1
Max 1
Norman 1
Oskar 1
Peter 1
Sidney 1
Theadore 1
Theodore 1
Thomas 1
Willie 1

FAQ

Lange surname: questions and answers

How common was the Lange surname in 1881?

In 1881, 248 people were recorded with the Lange surname. That placed it at #11,140 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Lange surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 791 in 2016. That gives Lange a modern rank of #6,984.

What does the Lange surname mean?

A surname of German origin referring to a tall person or someone who lived by a long field.

What does the Lange map show?

The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Lange bearers relative to the surrounding population.

What records is this surname page based on?

The historical counts come from census surname records. The modern counts and neighbourhood summaries come from later surname distribution records. Counts are recorded bearers in those records, not a live estimate of everyone with the name today.