Lynds History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Germany
Scotland
Ireland

Early Origins of the Lynds family

The surname Lynds was first found in Ayrshire (Gaelic: Siorrachd Inbhir Àir), formerly a county in the southwestern Strathclyde region of Scotland, that today makes up the Council Areas of South, East, and North Ayrshire.

The name Lynne originally meaning "a waterfall," is first noted in the area of Dalry in the years 1200-1300. They were located here and had land and owned the Castle of Lin near the waterfall of the Calf.

"The family of Lin or Lynn of that Ilk in the parish of Dairy, Ayrshire, took their name from the cascade on the Water of Caaf, near which stood the ancient castle of Lin." 1

Black also notes another possible origin of the family. "From the old manor of the same name in Peeblesshire. David de Lyne son of Robert de Lyne, granted to Neubode 'totam peteram de locqueruard que vocatur Wluesstrother,' c. 1165-1214, a grant increased by his son Robert within the same period." 1

The barony of Lynn was created from lands granted by Hugh de Morville in 1204. Later, John de la Linde was Warden of the City of London in 1265. Walter de Lynne was listed on the Ragman Rolls of 1296.

Early History of the Lynds family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Lynds research. Another 110 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1263, 1296, 1452, 1579, 1626, 1636 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Lynds History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Lynds Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Lind, Lynd, Lynde, Lynn, Line, Lines and others.

Early Notables of the Lynds family

Another 29 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Lynds Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Lynds family to Ireland

Some of the Lynds family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 73 words (5 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Lynds family

Some of the first settlers of this family name or some of its variants were: Peter Lin who arrived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1737; Dary Line settled in Virginia in 1653; Christopher Line settled in Barbados in 1679; John Lines settled in Boston Massachusetts in 1823.

Contemporary Notables of the name Lynds (post 1700) +

Helen Merrell Lynds (1896-1982), American sociologist and social philosopher
Captain Elam Lynds (1784-1855), American creator of the Auburn system starting in 1821
Gayle Lynds, American author
Laurie Lynds, Canadian film and television director
Peter Lynds (b. 1975), New Zealand physicist

The Lynds Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Semper virescit virtus
Motto Translation: Virtue always flourishes.

Citations +

Black, George F., The Surnames of Scotland Their Origin, Meaning and History. New York: New York Public Library, 1946. Print. (ISBN 0-87104-172-3)