Let me share with you the captivating history of your family, the Langlands, passed down through generations:

Your family, the Langlands, has a territorial origin tied to a place known as ‘Long lands,’ which refers to a long and narrow estate somewhere in Scotland. While the specific location is uncertain, it is believed to be in the Old English speaking parts of Lowland Scotland, where Anglo-Saxons settled before the formation of the Kingdom. The Langlands of that Ilk, the chiefly line, hailed from a small area in Peebleshire, as noted by heraldic authority George Black. The first person to bear the surname was a knightly landowner who derived it from his lands, known as ‘de Langlands’ (of Langlands). All subsequent Langlands are descendants of this individual. Although the identity of this progenitor remains unknown, the first traceable Langlands in historical records is Marion Cumyne (Comyn or Cumming), the widow of Johannes de Langland (John of Langland), who obtained a registered charter of land in 1364. Additionally, there was another branch of Langlands who held the lordship of half the barony of Wilton in Roxburghshire, situated near the English border. According to eighteenth-century heraldic authority Alexander Nisbet, this branch enjoyed good standing and respectability in Teviotdale. In the Borders region, John Langland was recorded as a tenant of lands belonging to Kelso Abbey in 1567.

In 1624, the Privy Council assigned the Sheriff of Linlithgow to apprehend and try Elspet Paris and her husband David Langlandis on charges of witchcraft, sorcery, and engaging in devilish practices. Although there are no further historical records of their case, it is presumed that they were found innocent and not executed. Accusations of such heinous crimes indicate that Elspet and David had enemies within their community. Throughout the subsequent centuries, the Langlands family continues to be mentioned in various records. Walter Langlands was noted as the chamberlain to Sir Walter Scott of Harden in a will dating back to 1698. John Langlands served as the minister of Hawick between 1667 and 1689, and his son, also named John, pursued a career as a medical doctor. The main line of the family came to an end in 1814 with the passing of Miss Langlands, who was laid to rest in Wilton Church. Notably, one of the most prominent Langlands in history is Robert Langlands (born 1936), a Canadian theoretical mathematician who has made significant advancements in the field throughout his lifetime.

Your family, the Langlands, carries a legacy of diverse pursuits, ranging from landownership and ministerial positions to esteemed contributions in mathematics. It is a testament to the intellectual capabilities and accomplishments within the Langlands lineage.