Langston

Langston is a proper noun that can refer to people, places, and institutions. It is of English origin, derived from a toponymic surname formed from places named Langston in England. The elements lang “long” and tun “enclosure, settlement” reflect its place-name roots. Over time, Langston spread to North America as a surname and as a given name.

Langston, Oklahoma, is a city in Lincoln County, United States. It is best known for Langston University, a public historically Black university founded in 1897. The main campus is located in Langston, with additional campuses in Oklahoma City and Tulsa.

As a given name, Langston has been used for males in English-speaking countries. It is also employed as a surname. A notable bearer with Langston as a middle name is James Mercer Langston Hughes (1902–1967), the American poet and writer, whose name helped popularize the usage of Langston as a stand-alone given name.