Skip to main content

Updated June 9, 2019

Family name origins & meanings

  • English : nickname for a tall (Middle English long ‘long’) person who was a good companion (felagh, felaw ‘partner’, ‘comrade’).
  • The name made famous in America by poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (1807–82) of Portland, ME, was introduced to North America by William Longfellow of Yorkshire, England, who settled in Newbury, MA, about 1676.

Join the Family

Your partner in parenting from baby name inspiration to college planning.

Subscribe