Lindsay History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Scotland
Ireland
England

Etymology of Lindsay

What does the name Lindsay mean?

The Lindsay family originally lived in the parish of Lindsay in the northern English county of Northumberland. Ealdric de Lindsay held estates in both Normandy and in Lincolnshire, England. He was a tenant of English estates for the Earl of Chester.

Early Origins of the Lindsay family

The surname Lindsay was first found in Lanarkshire (Gaelic: Siorrachd Lannraig) a former county in the central Strathclyde region of Scotland, now divided into the Council Areas of North Lanarkshire, South Lanarkshire, and the City of Glasgow where they were descended from Randolph Lord of Toeni who was banished by Duke William from Normandy in 1058 along with many other knights.

He settled on the borders of Lincolnshire and Leicestershire and erected a barony known as Linesi including Belvoir Castle. When the Duke of Normandy invaded England he was again forced to move and settled on the lands of Crawford in Lanarkshire Scotland.

"The first of the name in Scotland is Sir Walter de Lindeseya, who appears as one of the witnesses in the Inquisitio of Earl David concerning the possessions and rights of the see of Glasgow in 1124. His great-grandson, Sir William de Lindeseia, was one of the hostages for King William the Lion, 1174," 1

"Lord Lindsay tells us the names Lindesay and Limesay are identical, both of them implying 'Isle of Lime-trees,' and are frequently interchanged, and applied to the same individuals in ancient public records and in the early transcripts of the Battle Abbey Roll." 2

John Lindsay (d. 1335) was "Bishop of Glasgow, belonged to the family of the Lindsays of Lambertoun in Berwickshire, and was descended from Sir Walter de Lindsay (d. 1222), second son of William Lindsay of Crawford, judiciary of Scotland under William the Lion. He was the son of Walter Lindsay of Lambertoun, and his name first appears as witness to one of the charters, dated about 1275, and preserved in the chartulary of Paisley." 3

Early History of the Lindsay family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Lindsay research. Another 275 words (20 lines of text) covering the years 1120, 1174, 1189, 1198, 1200, 1292, 1340, 1396, 1483, 1513, 1552, 1558, 1559, 1589, 1597, 1598, 1608, 1618, 1652, 1659, 1664, 1677, 1679, 1700, 1713, 1714, 1722, 1724, 1737, 1760, 1788 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Lindsay History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Lindsay Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Lindsay, Lyndsay, Lyndsey, Lindesey, Lindsey and many more.

Early Notables of the Lindsay family

Notable among the family at this time was

John Lindsay, 6th Earl of Crawford (before 1483-1513), an Earl of Crawford
Alexander Lindsay, 2nd Lord Balcarres and 1st Earl of Balcarres (1618-1659), a Scottish nobleman
Colin Lindsay, 3rd Earl of Balcarres (1652-1722), a Scottish aristocrat and politician
John Lindsay of Balcarres (1552-1598), Lord Menmuir, Chancellor of the University of St Andrews, 1597-1598
William Lindsay of Dovehill (died 1679), a Scottish Presbyterian minister serving in Perth, Scotland
Sir John Lindsay (1737-1788), a British naval officer
John Lindsay, 19th Earl of Crawford and 3rd Earl of Lindsay (died 1713), a Scottish peer and politician

Lindsay World Ranking

In the United States, the name Lindsay is the 974^th most popular surname with an estimated 29,844 people with that name. 4 However, in Canada, the name Lindsay is ranked the 522^nd most popular surname with an estimated 9,377 people with that name. 5 And in Australia, the name Lindsay is the 326^th popular surname with an estimated 10,925 people with that name. 6 New Zealand ranks Lindsay as 227^th with 2,553 people. 7 The United Kingdom ranks Lindsay as 417^th with 15,603 people. 8

Migration of the Lindsay family to Ireland

Some of the Lindsay family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 278 words (20 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Lindsay migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Lindsay Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

Robert Lindsay, who settled in Virginia in 1663
Christopher Lindsay, who landed in Lynn, Massachusetts in 1668 9
Thomas Lindsay, who settled in Virginia in 1699

Lindsay Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Andrew Lindsay, who arrived in New York, NY in 1708 9
Donald Lindsay, who landed in New York in 1739 9
Philip Lindsay, who landed in Virginia in 1791 9
Joseph Lindsay, who arrived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1798 9

Lindsay Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Isabella Lindsay, who landed in New York, NY in 1811 9
Richard Lindsay, who arrived in New York, NY in 1815 9
Robert Lindsay, who landed in New York, NY in 1815 9
Susan Lindsay, who arrived in New York, NY in 1816 9
Esabella Lindsay, who arrived in New York, NY in 1816 9
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Lindsay migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Lindsay Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century

Benjamin Lindsay, who landed in Newfoundland in 1751 10
Private James Lindsay U.E., "Lindsey" (b. 1760) born in New York, USA from New York, USA who settled in Fredericksburgh [Greater Napanee], Ontario c. 1784 he served in the Kings Rangers, married twice with 13 children, he died in 1838 in Kingston, Frontenac County, Ontario 11
Mr. John Lindsay U.E., "Lindsey" who settled in Ernest Town [Ernestown], Lennox & Addington, Ontario c. 1784 married to Abigail Holmes 11
Mr. Nimian Lindsay U.E. who settled in Schoodic Falls, Charlotte County, New Brunswick c. 1784 married to Eliza Ann Marks member of the Cape Ann Asssociation 11
Ms. Peggy Lindsay U.E. who settled in New Brunswick c. 1784 he is listed with the Loyalists and Disbanded Soldiers whose names appear as Passamaquoddy New Brunswick Loyalists 11
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Lindsay Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

James Lindsay, who arrived in Canada in 1820
Rebecca Lindsay, aged 27, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1833 aboard the ship "Britannia" from Sligo, Ireland
Walter Lindsay, aged 30, a labourer, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1833 aboard the ship "Britannia" from Sligo, Ireland
Robert Lindsay, aged 34, a labourer, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1833 aboard the ship "Britannia" from Sligo, Ireland
Samuel Lindsay, aged 17, a labourer, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1833 aboard the ship "Britannia" from Sligo, Ireland
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Lindsay migration to Australia +

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

Lindsay Settlers in Australia in the 18th Century

Mr. William Lindsay, English convict who was convicted in Cumbria (Westmorland), England for life, transported aboard the "Barwell" in September 1797, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 12

Lindsay Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Mr. George Lindsay, Scottish convict who was convicted in Glasgow, Scotland for 14 years, transported aboard the "Countess of Harcourt" on 8th April 1821, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 13
Mr. Thomas Lindsay, (b. 1800), aged 26, English seaman who was convicted in Middlesex, England for life for highway robbery, transported aboard the "England"on 28th April 1826, arriving in New South Wales, Australia, he died in 1833 14
Mr. Henry Lindsay, Scottish convict who was convicted in Glasgow, Scotland for life, transported aboard the "Asia" on 19th November 1827, settling in New South Wales, Australia 15
Mr. James Lindsay, Scottish convict who was convicted in Jedburgh, Scotland for 14 years, transported aboard the "Countess of Harcourt" on 29th April 1828, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 16
Mr. John Lindsay, Scottish convict who was convicted in Glasgow, Scotland for 14 years, transported aboard the "Fairlie" on 14th October 1833, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 17
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Lindsay 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:

Lindsay Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

A Lindsay, who landed in Auckland, New Zealand in 1840
David Lindsay, aged 35, who arrived in Nelson, New Zealand aboard the ship "Indus" in 1843
Mary Lindsay, aged 33, who arrived in Nelson, New Zealand aboard the ship "Indus" in 1843
Louisa Lindsay, aged 5, who arrived in Nelson, New Zealand aboard the ship "Indus" in 1843
Peter Lindsay, aged 40, who arrived in Otago aboard the ship "Mariner" in 1849
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Lindsay (post 1700) +

Margaret Lindsay (1910-1981), born Margaret Kies, an American film actress, known for her roles in Baby Face, Jezebel (1938) and Scarlet Street (1945)
James Joseph Lindsay (1932-2023), United States Army four-star general, first commander of the United States Special Operations Command
Mark Lindsay (b. 1942), American musician, best known as the lead singer for Paul Revere & the Raiders
Nicholas Vachel Lindsay (1879-1931), American poet
Arthur Morgan Lindsay (b. 1953), American guitarist, singer, record producer and experimental composer
Lieutenant-General Richard Clark Lindsay (1905-1990), American Commander of the Allied Air Forces in Southern Europe, Naples, Italy (1957-1960) 18
Howard Lindsay (1889-1968), American theatrical producer, playwright, librettist, director and actor awarded a 1946 Pulitzer Prize for Drama. Teamed with Russel Crouse they won a Tony award for Best Musical for The Sound of Music
John Vliet Lindsay, American politician, mayor of New York City (1966â€“73)
Elvin L. Lindsay, American fighter pilot and flying ace in the U.S. Navy, during World War II, credited with 8 aerial victories
Robert Lindsay (1927-2023), 29th Earl of Crawford, Scottish peer, Member of the House of Lords (1974â€“2019) and Minister of State for Defence (1970â€“1972)
... (Another 20 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Historic Events for the Lindsay family +

Empress of Ireland

Dr Murdoch Alexander Lindsay (1882-1914), Canadian First Class Passenger from Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada who was traveling aboard the Empress of Ireland and died in the sinking 19

Ibrox disaster

Andrew Jackson Lindsay (1953-1971), Scottish football supporter, from Glasgow who was at the Ibrox disaster on 2nd January 1971 when a human crush among the crowd killed 66 and injured 200 people he died of his injuries 20

Lady of the Lake

Mr. George Lindsay (b. 1809), Irish labourer from Killybegs, Ireland who sailed aboard the "Lady of the Lake" from Greenock, Scotland on 8th April 1833 to Quebec, Canada when the ship hit ice and sunk of the coast of Newfoundland on the 11th May 1833 and he died in the sinking

RMS Titanic

Mr. William Charles Lindsay, aged 30, English Fireman/Stoker from Southampton, Hampshire who worked aboard the RMS Titanic and survived the sinking escaping on collapsible B 21

SS Alcoa Puritan

T.B. Lindsay, American Able Seaman from Atlanta, Georgia, who was working aboard the SS Alcoa Puritan (1942) traveling from Port of Spain, Trinidad to Mobile, Alabama when it was torpedoed by U-boat U-507; he survived the sinking 22

SS Southern Cross

Mr. Allan Lindsay (1887-1914), Newfoundlander from St. John's who was aboard the "SS Southern Cross" when it is suspected she sank between the 31st March 1914 and early April during the storm with a heavy load of pelts; no survivors were ever found

USS Arizona

Mr. James Mitchell Lindsay, American Shipfitter Second Class from Colorado, USA working aboard the ship "USS Arizona" when she sunk during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on 7th December 1941, he died in the sinking 23
Mr. James E. Lindsay, American Private First Class from California, USA working aboard the ship "USS Arizona" when she sunk during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on 7th December 1941, he died in the sinking 23

USS Indianapolis

Norman Lee Lindsay, American crew member on board the ship "USS Indianapolis" when she was on a top secret trip for the first nuclear weapon, she was sunk by Japanese Navy on 30th July 1945, he was one of the many who were killed in the sinking due to exposure, dehydration, saltwater poisoning and shark attacks 24

Vimy Ridge

Easson Dewar Lindsay (1882-1917), Canadian plasterer, Private in the 44th Battalion from Manitoba who died at Vimy Ridge May 1917

The Lindsay 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: Endure fort
Motto Translation: Endure with strength.

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)
Cleveland, Dutchess of The Battle Abbey Roll with some Account of the Norman Lineages. London: John Murray, Abermarle Street, 1889. Print. Volume 2 of 3
Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print
"What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
"Surnames Meanings, Origins & Distribution Maps - Forebears." Forebears, https://forebears.io/surnames
"Most Common Last Names in Australia." Forebears, https://forebears.io/australia/surnames
"Most Common Last Names in New Zealand." Forebears, https://forebears.io/new-zealand/surnames
"UK surname ranking." UK Surname map, https://www.surnamemap.eu/unitedkingdom/surnames_ranking.php?p=10
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)
Seary E.R., Family Names of the Island of Newfoundland, Montreal: McGill's-Queen's Universtity Press 1998 ISBN 0-7735-1782-0
Rubincam, Milton. The Old United Empire Loyalists List. Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc, 1976. (Originally published as; United Empire Loyalists. The Centennial of the Settlement of Upper Canada. Rose Publishing Company, 1885.) ISBN 0-8063-0331-X
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 29th September 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/barwell
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 24th March 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/countess-of-harcourt
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 24th April 2022). https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/england
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 8th January 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/asia/1827
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 19th April 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/countess-of-harcourt
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 21st September 2022). https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/fairlie
Generals of World War II. (Retrieved 2012, April 2) Richard Lindsay. Retrieved from http://generals.dk/general/Lindsay/Richard_Clark/USA.html
Commemoration Empress of Ireland 2014. (Retrieved 2014, June 17) . Retrieved from http://www.empress2014.ca/seclangen/listepsc1.html
Bradford City Football Club In memory (retrieved 22nd March 2021). Retrieved from https://www.bradfordcityafc.com/club/in-memoriam/
Titanic Passenger List - Titanic Facts. (Retrieved 2016, July 13) . Retrieved from http://www.titanicfacts.net/titanic-passenger-list.html
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SS_Alcoa_Puritan_(1941) - (Retrieved 2018, February 8th)
Pearl Harbour: USS Arizona Casualties List Pearl Harbour December 7, 1941. (Retrieved 2018, July 31st). Retrieved from http://pearl-harbor.com/arizona/casualtylist.html
Final Crew List, retrieved 2021, October 30th Retrieved from https://www.ussindianapolis.com/final-crew