Show ContentsLinn History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The Linn surname comes from an Upper German word "lind," which meant "tender" or "gentle hearted." In some instances, especially in Saxony, the surname evolved from the personal name Lindemuth. In general, the similar phonetic name Linde comes from "Linden," which was a type of tree.

Early Origins of the Linn family

The surname Linn was first found in Prussia, where this family name became a prominent contributor to the development of the district from ancient times. Always prominent in social affairs, the name became an integral part of that turbulent region as it emerged to form alliances with other families within the Feudal System and the nation. Chronicles first mention Hainrich der Lind in Constance in 1254.

Early History of the Linn family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Linn research. Another 114 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1780, 1784, 1799, 1820, 1834, 1862 and 1887 are included under the topic Early Linn History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Linn Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Lind, Lynd, Lint, Lynt and others.

Early Notables of the Linn family

Prominent figures of the time who bore the name Linn were Anton Franz Hermann Lindt, a general in the Saxon army, who was ennobled in 1780. He was born in Frankfurt a.M. but moved with the family to Dresden. In 1784 he became general-inspector of the infantry, and in 1799 General of...
Another 52 words (4 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Linn Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Linn Ranking

In the United States, the name Linn is the 2,283rd most popular surname with an estimated 12,435 people with that name. 1


United States Linn migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Linn Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
  • Joseph Linn, who arrived in Maryland in 1680 2
Linn Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • Peter Linn, who arrived in America in 1739 2
  • Adam Linn, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1749 2
  • Johann Nickel Linn, who arrived in America in 1753 2
  • Philip Henry Linn, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1753 2
  • Nicholas Linn, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1753 2
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Linn Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • David Linn, who arrived in America in 1811 2
  • Daniel Linn, who landed in New York, NY in 1815 2
  • Robert Linn, who arrived in Allegany (Allegheny) County, Pennsylvania in 1818 2
  • John Linn, who landed in Allegany (Allegheny) County, Pennsylvania in 1830 2
  • Andley Linn, who landed in Washington County, Pennsylvania in 1840 2
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Linn Settlers in United States in the 20th Century
  • John Edward Linn, who landed in Mississippi in 1903 2

Australia Linn migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Linn Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • Mr. Masters Linn, (b. 1787), aged 29, English brick layer who was convicted in Sussex, England for life for larceny, transported aboard the "Fame" on 9th October 1816, arriving in New South Wales, Australia, he died in 1827 3
  • Matthew Linn, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Asia" in 1839 4
  • Margaret Linn, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Asia" in 1839 4
  • Christian Linn, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Asia" in 1839 4
  • James Linn, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Asia" in 1839 4
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

New Zealand Linn migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Linn Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
  • Miss Jane Linn, British settler travelling from London, UK aboard the ship "British Queen" arriving in Auckland, New Zealand on 30th August 1859 5

Contemporary Notables of the name Linn (post 1700) +

  • Roger Linn, American inventor of the Linn LM-1, the first programmable digital drum machine, recipient of a Grammy Award for Lifetime Technical Achievement
  • Michael Linn, American businessman and oilman, founder of Linn Energy, LLC an independent oil and natural gas company based in Houston, Texas in 2003
  • Richard Linn (b. 1944), American Senior United States Circuit Judge, Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit (1999-2012)
  • Ray Linn (1920-1996), American jazz trumpeter
  • Rex Maynard Linn (b. 1956), American film and television actor, best known for his role as Frank Tripp in the television series CSI: Miami
  • Robert P. Linn (1908-2004), American politician, second longest-serving mayor in the United States-58 years
  • Lewis Fields Linn (1796-1843), American Democratic U.S. Senator for the state of Missouri, eponym of Mount Linn, California
  • John Blair Linn (1777-1804), American poet
  • Bambi Linn (b. 1926), born Bambina Linnemeier, American dancer, choreographer, and actress
  • Holman Harry Linn, American inventor of the Linn tractor, a heavy duty civilian half-track or crawler tractor
  • ... (Another 5 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)


The Linn 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: Sub manu solius dei
Motto Translation: Under the hand of the kingdom of God.


  1. "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
  2. Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
  3. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 27th September 2022). https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/fairlie
  4. State Library of South Australia. (Retrieved 2016, October 27) ASIA 1839 from London with Captain Benjamin Freeman and 245 passengers, arrived Port Adelaide on 16-07-1839. Retrieved from http://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/BSA/1839Asia-list.htm
  5. New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 17th October 2018). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html


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