Longridge - Name

This is an Anglo-Saxon surname, and can be either locational or topographical in origin. If the latter, it denoted someone who lived on or by "a long ridge", the derivation being from the Olde English pre 7th Century "lang", long, and "hyrcg", ridge, or the Old Norse "hryggr". If the source of the modern surname is locational it can derive from "Longridge" in Lancashire and in Staffordshire, or from "Langridge" in Somerset or "Langrigg" in Cumberland. All four places share the same meaning and derivation as the topographical term, "long ridge", above. The name development has included "Dionisia de Langerig" (1253, Staffordshire), "Robert de Longrigge" (1276, ibid.) and "Thomas de Langerigg" (1332, Cumberland). On October 22nd 1700, Sarah, daughter of William and Sarah Longridge, was christened at the church of St. Mary Aldermary, London. A Coat of Arms granted to the family consists of a shield per pale silver and red with three fleurs-de-lis counterchanged, the Crest being an arm embowed, vested, holding a garb. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Thomas de Langgerugge which was dated 1175, in the "Somerset Pipe Rolls", during the reign of King Henry 11, known as "The Builder of Churches", 1154 - 1189. 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.