Origin

Origin of the Name Latnie

Latnie is the surname of a Foundational Black American family that was enslaved on the Latane family plantation, also known as the Mahockney Plantation, located in Virginia. After the Civil War, ancestors of today’s Latnies were listed in various documents as Ladiney or Latney, until Cornelius “Neal” Latnie Sr. first documented the Latnie spelling on his 1911 marriage license, where he is listed as Neal Latnie. Earlier records list him as Cornelius Latney in the 1880 census and as Neil Latney in the 1900 census. He later used the Latnie spelling on his 1917 draft card and again as Cornelius Latnie in the 1920 census. The descendants of Cornelius have continued to carry this spelling for over 100 years. After performing under the artist name “De Latnie” (short for Delyn Latnie), it was suggested that the “De” be dropped entirely and that the name be presented simply as “Latnie.” This choice felt fitting, as many teammates during high school years referred to him as “Latnie.” The name is carried with pride, and it will continue through the next generation.