Surname Langerhans - Meaning and Origin
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Langerhans: What does the surname Langerhans mean?
The last name Langerhans is of German origin and derived from the Middle High German name “Langherhans” or “Lenczerhans”, meaning “long man” or “lanky man”. The name is a patronymic, constructed from an ancestor’s given name or nickname, making it a unique surname.
In addition to being a surname, “Langerhans” is also a medical term referring to a type of cell found in the pancreas. The cells, discovered by German medical doctor Paul Langerhans in 1869, are named after him in recognition of his groundbreaking findings.
Langerhans cells are incredibly important for immune function and scientific research into them has led to a better understanding of autoimmune diseases. The discovery of these cells ushered in a new era in medical science, revolutionizing the understanding of how the body works and defends itself against illnesses.
The surname “Langerhans” is a reminder of the pioneering work of Paul Langerhans and has played a major role in the history of medical science, helping to shape the field into what it is today. It’s a symbol of dedication, innovation, and accomplishment that will undoubtedly continue to inspire and inform research for generations to come.
Order DNA origin analysisLangerhans: Where does the name Langerhans come from?
The last name Langerhans is most prominent in Germany today. The name is derived from the German surname Langerhan, which means ‘long hand’. The various spellings of the last name, such as Langenhan, Langerhan, and Langerhans are all used today in Germany, but are most common in the northern part of the country.
The region of Lower Saxony is one of the areas with the most occurrences of the surname. The name is also popular in northern Rhineland-Palatinate, including cities like Siegen, Trier, and Düren. Over the past few centuries, the Langerhans surname has spread to many other countries due to immigration, including the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, and New Zealand.
The Langerhans family name is most likely derived from the ancient Germanic ‘long hand’. This broader family name was also immortalized in a famous educational institution in Germany, the Higher School of Langenhan, located in Berlin.
The Langerhans surname also appears in many cases in history, most notably in the person of the Prussian pathologist Paul Langerhans, who discovered the bodies that make up the pancreas. He is also remembered for his efforts in the field of research on diabetes and tuberculosis.
As a last name, Langerhans is also used by a number of prominent personalities, including the Austrian actor-director Werner Langerhans, the German physician Ludwig Langerhans, the German architect Martin Langerhans, and the American historian Dorothy Langerhans.
Variations of the surname Langerhans
The surname Langerhans has a number of variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin. These include Langer, Langer Haans, Langhans, Langerhan, Langerhans, Langenhan, Langenkamp, Langekamp, Langkamp, Longkamp, Langerkamp, Langkampen, Langenkampen, Longenkampen, Langhenkam, Lengenkamp, Lengenkam, Langenkam, and Longenkam.
The origins of the surname Langerhans are not definitively known, but it is likely to have descended from a Germanic given name, which is Anglicized as Langham or Langhans. This name is ultimately derived from elements meaning “long” and “home” or “land”. It is likely that the original bearer of the name was a landholder or property owner of some sort.
The surname dates back to medieval times and is found mainly in the Northern and Southern provinces of Germany, particularly around the Rhineland region. It is also found in smaller numbers in Austria, Switzerland, and the Netherlands.
In the United States, variants of the surname Langerhans are found mainly in Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois, where they likely originated due to German immigration in the 19th and 20th centuries. These variants are commonly spelled Lange, Langer, or Longer.
In addition, the surname has become a common name in parts of South America, where many Germans settled during the 19th and 20th centuries. In these regions, the surname is often written as “Lanz” or “Lans”.
The Langerhans surname is also a common Jewish name, though its origin is uncertain. It is believed to be a transcribed version of the German name Langhans.
Famous people with the name Langerhans
- Christian George Wolf Langerhans: German classical singer and actor.
- Charles Langerhans: former Major League Baseball pitcher.
- Jon Langerhans: former American Major League Baseball outfielder and coach.
- Paul Langerhans: German pathologist and histologist.
- Hubert Langerhans: German banker.
- Friedrich Langerhans: German physiologist.
- Margarete Langerhans: German art historian.
- Wolfgang Langerhans: Austrian ice hockey player.
- Ferdinand Langerhans: German amateur astronomer.
- Mathilde Langerhans: German artist.
- Ursula Langerhans: German philologist.
- Wilhelm Langerhans: German mathematician.
- Otto Langerhans: German physician.
- Leonard Langerhans: German zoologist.
- Cornelia Langerhans: German actress.
- Johann Langerhans: German writer and pastor.
- Ernst Langerhans: German sculptor.
- Maria Langerhans: Austrian actress.
- Alfred Langerhans: German lawyer and mayor.
- Heinrich Langerhans: German jurist.