Show ContentsLyn History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Early Origins of the Lyn family

The surname Lyn 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 Lyn family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Lyn 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 Lyn History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Lyn Spelling Variations

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

Early Notables of the Lyn family

Notable amongst the family at this time was

  • Lynn of Ayrshire

Ireland Migration of the Lyn family to Ireland

Some of the Lyn 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.


United States Lyn migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Lyn Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
  • Thomas Lyn, who landed in Virginia in 1655 2

Contemporary Notables of the name Lyn (post 1700) +

  • Janis Lyn Joplin (1943-1970), American blues-influenced rock singer, inductee to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1995
  • Kassie Lyn Logsdon (b. 1987), American model, Playboy Playmate of the Month for May 2010
  • Kaci Lyn Battaglia (b. 1987), also known as Kaci, an American singer, songwriter, dancer, actress, and professional kickboxing instructor
  • Mary Lyn Wilde (b. 1922), and Marion Lee, American identical twins, singers and actresses in musicals
  • Jodi Lyn O'Keefe (b. 1978), American actress and model
  • Lyn Gunson (b. 1953), New Zealand netball player and former head coach of both the New Zealand and England national netball teams, New Zealand Coach of the Year in 1989
  • Lyn Lott (1950-2018), American professional golfer from Douglas, Georgia; he played on the PGA Tour from 1974 to 1984, inducted into the Georgia Sports Hall of Fame in 1998
  • Lyn Wilde (1922-2016), American singer, member of The Wilde Twins, sister to Lee Wilde
  • Lyn St. James (b. 1947), born Evelyn Gene Cornwall, American retired professional IndyCar driver
  • Lyn Sprules (b. 1975), English retired female hammer thrower who competed at the European U23 Championships (1997)


The Lyn 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.


  1. 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)
  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)


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