Longnecker Family

Longnecker Family History

A surname, often referred to as a last name or family name, is a name passed down through a family from generation to generation. Though each culture has its own norms, in the West the surname is typically inherited from the paternal (father’s) line. In ancient times, people were often referred to by their given name and place alone. Hereditary surnames developed to distinguish individuals with the same first name, a necessity as world populations grew—it wasn’t until the 11th century that surnames began to be used throughout Europe.

Perhaps you’ve wondered, ‘What does my last name mean?’ In fact, the answer may be right in front of you. Most surnames were originally derived from a father’s given name, e.g., “Hanson” (the son of Han); from places or geographical features, “Hill”; occupations, “Fisher”; or personal descriptions like “White.” Please bear in mind, surnames may have changed spellings or been replaced entirely over time.

This report will provide you with a rich introduction into the history of your surname, deepening your knowledge of and connection to your ancestors.

Surname Statistics

Concentration of "Longneckers" in the United States.

Surname Variants

After centuries of use, surname spellings may have varied drastically over time. This may be the result of an intentional or unintentional change made by your ancestors. It means you should incorporate typical surname variants or misspellings into your ancestor search, to ensure you don’t miss an important piece of the puzzle. Here are some common Longnecker surname variants:

Soundex: La Magna, La Mason, Laansma, Lahamjian, Lahmsen, Lai Nguyen, Laingen, Laingham, Laing-Malcol

Metaphone: Hlankenship, Hlinican, Lai Nguyen, Lan Gong, Lanagan, Lanaghan, Lanaghen, Lanagon, Lancano

History And Origin

Altered form of German Langenecker (see Longenecker).

Dictionary of American Family Names, Oxford University Press, Inc. © 2006 Patrick Hanks

U.S. Census Statistics

Records collected by the government about the U.S. population, like the census, allow us to compile interesting statistics about the Longnecker surname. The U.S. government began collecting official population records in Virginia in 1632, and established the federal census in 1790. In recent times, researchers have found that 1,712 surnames cover 50% of the U.S. population, demonstrating that most of us share our surname with a great number of other Americans.

Using the most recent data available, we are able to tell you the concentration of people with your surname in the United States, their average lifespan compared with the national average, and the surname’s rank in popularity. Here is what we can know about Longneckers, derived from the U.S. Census and Social Security Death Index.

• "Longnecker" is 15,759^th most popular name in the U.S.
• 73 year average lifespan
• National Average: 75

Military Records

Many of our ancestors served and fought bravely as members of the U.S. Armed Forces. These men and women are truly the pride of this nation, and we can honor them by remembering their service and sacrifice through military records. The U.S. government has kept personnel records since the first national conflict, though not all are available online. Military records like enlistment records, service records, and pension applications can help to paint a vibrant picture of your ancestor’s life.

Archives.com has found Longnecker military records to share with you. These may help you to locate your ancestors who fought to defend and protect this nation.

• Military Records: 61 Longneckers found

The Second World War (1939-1945) began with the German invasion of Poland in 1939, the first gesture in what would become a German effort to establish an empire through forcible conquest. The event evolved into a global military conflict, recorded as the deadliest war in world history. Sixteen million Americans heroically served in the armed forces, and 400,000 American deaths will be forever mourned.

We have records that Longneckers fought with the Allied forces.

• World War II Records: 61 Longneckers found

In the News

Do you have a famous musician in the family? A patent holder? A politician? These are just a few of the things we can learn about our ancestors from historical newspaper pages; facts that may be documented nowhere else in the world. The U.S. newspaper is a long tradition, stemming back to the first colonial newspapers published in the 17th century. Much as they do today, local publications captured not only national headlines but the day-to-day happenings of American communities.

Preserved newspaper pages enable us to step into the shoes of our ancestors, and not only learn about them personally, but also immerse ourselves in the current events of their day. And it turns out Longneckers made the headlines quite a bit.

• Newspaper Records: 1,039 Longneckers found