Lange is a surname of German, Danish, and Norwegian origin. It is a cognate of the English surname Long, all deriving from a Germanic root meaning “tall” or “long.” The name originally functioned as a descriptive nickname for a person of tall stature. Etymology and Origins The German surname Lange is a variant of Lang, meaning “tall.” In the German-speaking regions, Lange is one of many surnames based on physical characteristics, a common practice in medieval Europe. The Danish and Norwegian forms share the same derivation, reflecting the widespread use of the name across Scandinavia and Germany. The Dutch variants De Lang and De Lange use the prefix de meaning “the,” making the surname ostensibly mean “the tall one.” Distribution and Frequency According to the 2010 United States Census, Lange ranked as the 1,132th most common surname in the country, with a prevalence of 30,984 bearers. The vast majority (92.70%) identified as White. The name is also well-established in Germany, Denmark, and Norway, where it remains among the more frequent surnames. In Germany, the name is especially common in the north, while in Denmark, it is found nationwide. Related Surnames The surname belongs to a family of cognates across Germanic and Romance languages. English Long, Italian Longo, and Romanian Lungu all share the same literal meaning of “long” or “tall.” The Jewish variant Langer is also related, often derived from the German word lang. The German diminutive Langer may have arisen as a variant in some regions. Meaning: “tall” or “long” (descriptive nickname) Origin: German, Danish, Norwegian Type: Surname (from physical characteristic) Usage regions: Germany, Denmark, Norway, also the United States and other diaspora communities