Are You A Lindsay?

This surname is of twofold origin: (1) from the barony of Auchinleck in Ayrshire and (2) from Affleck in Angus. The first of this name on record in Scotland was Richard of Auchinlec in Lanark in 1263. In Angus, John of Aghleck who did homage in 1306 is the first of the name recorded in that area. These Angus Afflecks were the hereditary armour bearers to the earls of Crawford.

For a long time, the Lindsays were the real Kings of Forfarshire, holding vast territories in Angus and Mearns. In 1459 the Earl of Crawford, as superior, is averred to have renewed the marshes of Aghelek, or Auchinleck. The Auchinlecks of that Ilk held the allies, perhaps the vassals, of the powerful Lindsays. Influential in the counsels of the Lindsays the Auchinleks had been, for when the former were at the zenith of their power Auchinleck of that Ilk was on the that select circle, that Privy Council, that at the headquarters of the

Lindsays guided their policy.

The Lindsays held the Castle of Monikie, in the neighbourhood of Affleck.

Arms of Auchinleck of that Ilk

Arms of Auchinleck of that Ilk.

The Slains Roll, ca. 1567, folio 112/1.

In the town of Dundee the Lindsays lived in splendour and there too, in the then aristocratic Seagate, the Auchinlecks had their town house. The Records of the City of Dundee, preserved in the Town House, contain numerous references to the Auchinleck family.

These names are derived from the old barony of Byres in East Lothian. For centuries the barony was the property of the family of Lindsay and gave title to Lindsay of Byres. The names first appear on record in the early fourteenth century.

This name first appears on record in Scotland in the late fifteenth century. In the early sixteenth century, it appears on record in Brechin, land of the Lindsays. An unrecorded individual of this name gave name to Cobbisland in Brechin. Some say it is a diminutive of Jacob, but there was also a first name “Cobba”.

As it was the custom for many years most people took the name of the area in which they lived. The Crawfords took their name from the mountain territory of Crawford, later the barony of Crawford, in the upper ward of Lanarkshire. The first of this name on record in Scotland was John de Crawford around the middle of the twelfth century. For the next 150 years, there is charter evidence of Crawfords in St. Andrews, Arbroath, Ayr, Edinburgh, Kelso, etc. Walter de Lindeseia was the first Lindsay to be associated with the territory of Crawford. He came in the early part of the twelfth century as one of Prince David’s knights. When this Prince became King of Scotland, Walter was given Ercildoune (Earltson) and later Luffness and Crawford. David Lindsay of Glenesk, descendant of Walter, was created Earl of Crawford in 1398 by Robert, III.

Though the Lindsays were now situated in Glenesk, Crawford was their principal fief and remained so until the 5th Earl resigned the superiority of the various lands in the barony of Crawford.

The Crawfurds of Craufurdland, near Kilmarnock, were one of the oldest families in Ayrshire. Sir Reginald de Craufurd was the sheriff of Ayr in the early thirteenth century. He established the family fortune by marrying the Loudoun heiress in about 1200. On his death his estates were divided up among his sons, one of whom John, became the first laird of Craufurdland. Family records relate that the third Laird helped his cousin, Sir William Wallace, become Warden of Scotland in 1297 and that the seventh Laird fought valiantly against the English in France at the siege of Creyult in 1423, for which he was awarded a knighthood by James I.

These names originated in the lands of Deuchar in the lordship of Fern or Fearn in Angus. They were considered to be one of the oldest families in the district and are said to have come into possession of the lands of Deuchar c. 1230. Sir Alexander Lindsay of Glenesk granted a charter of the lands to them in 1369. They were evidently vassals of the Lindsays at that period. Their connection with the lands ceased in 1819 when the lands were sold and the late owner left Scotland for the colonies.

This name originated in the old Scottish barony of Duny or Downie in 1331 in the parish of Monikie not too far from Affleck Castle in Angus. Jervise’s suggestion that the Downies were probably vassals of the Lindsays, as the name is so rarely found in the earlier records, is probably correct. The surname is still common in the district.

Arms of Fotheringham of Powrie.

The Slains Roll, ca. 1567, folio 154/1.

This family is from the parish of Inverarity in Angus, a race that settled early in the province and are said to have descended from Henry de Fedringhay who received the lands of Balewny, near Dundee, from Robert II prior to 1377.

Arms of Rynd of Carse.

The Slains Roll, ca. 1567, folio 209/1.

When surnames gained popular usage, many people took the name of the place where they lived. These names originated in the parish of Rhynd in Perthshire. Although this family is now somewhat rare in Angus it is of considerable antiquity in that county.

These names are listed under Symmers, an old Angus family of whom little is known. They possessed Balzordie in 1450. In 1682, Symmer of Balzordie was described as “ane familie and chief of the name.” They continued to be considered “chief of the name” until about the middle of the eighteenth century when the male branch failed.

The early history of the Lindsay name dates back to the 11th century. Even then the spelling of the name had changed over time. Our current Chief uses the spelling of Lindsay.

In October 2012, the list of accepted spellings for the name Lindsay were reviewed and updated. These are now considered the Accepted Spellings of Lindsay.

If you feel your spelling has been left off this list, please contact the Genealogist for additional information

Landsy, Lemsey, Lendsay, Lendsey, Lidsey, Limesay, Lincy, Lindeci, Lindensay, Lindesa, Lindesaia, Lindesaie, Lindesans, Lindesaus, Lindesay, Lindesaye, Lindese, Lindesee, Lindesei, Lindeseia, Lindeseie, Lindesey, Lindeseya, Lindesi, Lindesia, Lindesie, Lindesins, Lindesius, Lindessay, Lindessaya, Lindessaye, Lindessey, Lindesseya, Lindesseye, Lindessi, Lindesy, Lindesye, Lindeszey, Lindesy, Lindezy, Lindiesay, Lindisay, Lindisin, Lindissa, Lindissai, Lindissay, Lindisseia, Lindizy, Lindsa, Lindsai, Lindsay, Lindsaye, Lindseie, Lindsey, Lindseye, Lindsley, Lindsly, Lindsseie, Lindsy, Lindyesaye, Lindyssay, Lindyssey, Lindzey, Lindzy, Linesy, Linnsy, Linsa, Linsai, Linsaie, Linsay, Linsaye, Linsdy, Linsely, Linsey, Linsley, Linsly, Linssy, Linsy, Linza, Linzee, Linzey, Linzy, Lyncay, Lyncy, Lynddesai, Lynddessay, Lynddessaye, Lynddesai, Lyndesai, Lyndesay, Lyndesaye, Lyndeseia, Lyndeseie, Lyndesey, Lyndeseya, Lyndeseye, Lyndesheie, Lyndeshey, Lyndesie, Lyndesins, Lyndesius, Lyndessai, Lyndessay, Lyndessaye, Lyndessey, Lyndessy, Lyndesy, Lyndesya, Lyndezay, Lyndisay, Lyndissai, Lyndissay, Lyndisseye, Lyndsa, Lyndsai, Lyndsaia, Lyndsaie, Lyndsay, Lyndsey, Lyndseye, Lyndsy, Lyndyesaye, Lyndysay, Lyndyssay, Lyndyssaye, Lyndyssey, Lynsay, Lynse, Lynsey

Lin, Lind, Lindley, Linley, Lyn, Lyne, Lynn, Lynne, Lynns

Over the years the spelling of the Clan Lindsay Families names have changed. This makes your genealogy search a little complicated. The following table shows the various spellings recognized by the Clan Lindsay Association, USA as outlined in the Scots Kith & Kin.

Achenkek, Achinfleck, Achinlek, Achithelege, Achlec, Achleek, Achlek, Achtinlek, Achynlek, Affleck, Afflect, Aflek, Aghlek, Aghleke, Aghynkek, Aquinlek, Athelek, Athinkel, Athinleik, Athinlek, Athlek, Athlyk, Athynlek, Auchenlek, Auchenleck, Auchinlec, Auchinleck, Auchinlek, Auchinlok, Auchlec, Auchleck, Auchlek, Auchynflek, Auchynlek, Authinlect, Authinlek, Auuynlec, Avthinlect, Awchinlecke, Awchiek, Awqwhynleke, Effek, Hauchynlek

Buyers, Byars, Byers, Byres, Byris, Byrs

Cob, Cobb

**Unaccepted Spellings: Cobban, Cobbie

Crafford, Crafoard, Crafoord, Craford, Crafort, Crafuirde, Crafurd, Crauffurd, Craufoord, Crauford, Crauforth, Craufurd, Craufurde, Crauuford, Craweford, Crawey, Crawfaird, Crawfeurd, Crawffurd, Crawford, Crawfurd, Crouford

Dequhar, Deuchair, Deuchars, Deuchart, Deucharys, Deucher, Deuchor, Deughar, Deugher, Deuhqwhyr, Deuquhair, Deuquhar, Deuquhare, Deuquhyre, Dewchar, Dewchare, Dewquhar, Dewquhir, Docher, Docker, Doker, Doucher, Doughar, Douquhar, Dowchar, Dowgar, Duchar, Duchir, Duchre, Duquhar, Duquhare, Dwichair

.**Unaccepted Spellings: Dewar

Davenie, Dewinny, Dewiny, Dewney, Dewnie, Dewny, Don, Dons, Doun, Douney, Douny, Down, Downe, Downey, Downie, Downy, Downye, Dunny, Duny

**Unaccepted Spellings: Downs, Downes

Fodryngay, Foddringam, Foddrynghame, Foderingay, Foderingam, Foderinghame, Fodinrey, Fodringham, Fodringam, Fodringaym, Fodringgeye, Fodringhay, Fodrungame, Fodryngame, Fodrynghay, Fordringham, Forigham, Foringham, Fothergem, Fotheringhay, Fotheringham, Fotheringay, Fotheringhay, Fotherengam, Fotherenhame, Fothringam, Fothringame, Fothrymgam, Fothrynhame, Fotringham, Fottyngham

**Unaccepted Spellings: Fothray

Rind, Rinde, Rine, Rinne, Riyin, Rhind, Rhynd, Rhynde, Rhynds, Rynd, Rynde

**Unaccepted Spellings: Rhynas, Rhynie, Ryny

Simeres, Simers, Simmer, Simmers, Somer, Somers, Sommer, Sommers, Somyr, Sovmer, Sumer, Summer, Summers, Summyr, Sumner, Sumners, Sumyr, Symier, Symer, Symers, Symir, Symmer, Symmers, Symour

**Unaccepted Spellings: Somerville, Summerville

The first Lindsay documented in Scotland is Walter de Lindsay.

He signed charters in 1146 but is said to have been in Scotland since 1120.

Sir Walter’s great-grandson, Sir William de Lindesay, sat in the Parliament of 1164 and was afterwards a justiciar.  He held the lands of Crawford, the earldom of which was to ultimately be the premier title of the chiefs.

For 40 generations the Lord of your family, by tradition, has born the same name forty generations, from father to son, father to son, all through the family’s history.

The Lindsay shield: that red shield with the blue and white cheques across it is exactly the same as the Stewarts, the Kings of Scotland. There is only one difference, the Stewarts use a gold background while the Lindsay’s use a red.

The Lindsays brought the swan from Flanders into England, then into Scotland.

The Lindsays lived in Flanders just outside of Boulogne, the greatest port on the North Sea for the Roman Empire.

The head of the Lindsay family was created an earl, a symbol of great authority. Earls were individuals who convened their own parliaments, raised their own armies and conducted their own justice. David Lindsay was raised to the first Earl of Crawford. The Earldom of Crawford (Chief of Clan Lindsay) was created in 1398 It is the oldest Earldom in Scotland. The Earldom of Lindsay was created in 1633.

When the Queen came to Scotland to be crowned, someone carried the Crown, the Sceptre and someone carried the Sword of State. To this day for each new monarch, a Lindsay has carried the Crown, the Sceptre, or the Sword of State.

A Lindsay was one of the 10 people who signed the Declaration Of Arbroath/Scottish Declaration of Independence.

Lindsays were allies of Robert the Bruce and fought in the Battle of Bannockburn.

The highest award and honor in British military terms is the Victoria Cross. The very first Victoria Cross ever won went to a Robert Lindsay.

Lindsays intermarried with the family of William Wallace. Lindsays, in fact, handed over some of their castles to help William Wallace in his great battle for the independence of Scotland. Wallace’s mother was a Crawford.

The Regiment of the Line (Black Watch) was formed officially in 1739 as the 42nd Highland Regiment of Foot under John Lindsay, the Earl of Crawford and first mustered in 1740 at Aberfeldy. In May, 1740, when the Independent Companies were formed into the 43rd Highland Regiment (later the 42nd Royal Highlanders), John the Earl of Crawford and Lindsay was appointed its colonel.