Show ContentsLings History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Lings Family Crest Download (JPG) Heritage Series - 600 DPI

Family Crest Download (JPG) Heritage Series - 600 DPI

Early Origins and Etymology of Lings

The surname Lings was first found in Suffolk where Bernard del Ling was recorded in the Curia Regis Rolls of 1207. 1

However we must look to either Lyng, Norfolk or Lyng, Somerset for the origin of the family. Of the two, Lyng, Somerset is the oldest dating back to Saxon times when it was known as Lengen c. 930. 2 3 Interestingly, while both were listed in the Domesday Book of 1086, they had different spellings at the time: Ling, Norfolk and Lege, Somerset. 4 Both had similar topographical meanings: "bank or ridge," 5 and "hill-slope" (Somerset.) 6

Early feudal rolls provided the king of the time a method of cataloguing holdings for taxation, but today they provide a glimpse into the wide surname spellings in use at that time. William atte Lyng was found in Norwich in 1327 and later, John Lyng was listed in the Assize Rolls for London in 1433. 1

"The Lings derived their name several centuries ago from the parish of Lyng in this county, one of the first of the name having been a John de Ling of Norfolk; in the 13th century (H. R.). These ancient De Lyngs or De Lings were influential people; one of them was chancellor of the diocese in 1349, and another was bailiff of Norwich in 1370. Thomas Lyng was rector of Catfield in 1506; and in the 16th and 17th centuries Lyng and Ling were frequent clerical names in the county. I omitted to mention that Jeff, de Ling, who combined the accomplishments of the antiquarian and historian with his duties as a friar of the Franciscan convent in Norwich, was born at Lyng, and died in 1390. The name is at present best represented in the adjoining county of Suffolk." 7

A search through Norfolk records revealed Henry atte Lyng, 52 Henry III (during the 52nd year of Henry III's reign); and Joger de Lyng was bailiff of Norwich in 1370. 8

Hotten's Lists of Emigrants includes an entry for Henry and John Linge who were resident in Virginia, in 1623. 9

Early History of the Lings family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Lings research. Another 97 words (7 lines of text) covering the years 1172, 1455 and 1487 are included under the topic Early Lings History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Lings Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Ling, Linge, Lyng, Lynge and others.

Early Notables of the Lings family

More information is included under the topic Early Lings Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Lings family to Ireland

Some of the Lings family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 66 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 Lings family

Some of the first settlers of this family name or some of its variants were: the name represented in many forms and recorded from the mid 17th century in the great migration from Europe. Migrants settled in the eastern seaboard from Newfoundland, to Maine, to Virginia, the Carolinas, and to the islands..
  1. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
  2. Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
  3. Charnock, Richard, Stephen, Ludus Patronymicus of The Etymology of Curious Surnames. London: Trubner & Co., 60 Paternoster Row, 1868. Print.
  4. Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
  5. Page, William (ed), A History of the County of Norfolk. London: Victoria County History, 1906. Print
  6. Mills, A.D., Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-19-869156-4)
  7. Guppy, Henry Brougham, Homes of Family Names in Great Britain. 1890. Print.
  8. Rye, Walter, A History of Norfolk. London: Elliot Stock, 62, Paternoster Row, 1885. Print
  9. Hotten, John Camden (ed), The original lists of persons of quality; emigrants; religious exiles; political rebels; serving men sold for a term of years; apprentices; children stolen; maidens pressed; and others who went from Great Britain to the American plantations 1600-1700.New York: J. W. Bouton, 1874, Digital

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