Langley

Langley is a toponym and surname used for several places and institutions in the English-speaking world. The name derives from Old English elements meaning a long meadow or clearing, and was originally used to describe farmland along a long stretch of land.

In the United States, Langley most commonly refers to Langley, Virginia, a town in northern Virginia known for aviation and military activity. The associated Langley Air Force Base and its facilities formed the core of Joint Base Langley-Eustis in 2010, when Langley was merged with Fort Eustis in Newport News. The Langley Research Center, located in nearby Hampton, is one of NASA’s oldest field centers and contributed to early aeronautics and spaceflight research.

In Canada, Langley denotes areas in British Columbia. The District of Langley, often called Langley Township, lies in the Fraser Valley region northwest of Vancouver, while Langley City is a separate municipality within Metro Vancouver situated adjacent to the district.

In England, Langley is the name of a village in Buckinghamshire and appears in other local place names in the region. The name is associated with historic estates and parish communities in various parts of the country.

As a surname, Langley appears in historical and contemporary records and may be found among individuals in politics, science, the arts, and industry. The name is also used for schools, parks, and various nicknames or informal references in different locales.