Surname Lindh - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'L'
Lindh: What does the surname Lindh mean?
The last name Lindh is of Swedish origin. The name is derived from the Swedish word "Lind", which means “Linden” or “lime tree”. Hence, Lindh essentially means "from the linden tree". In ancient times, it was common to assign names based on geographical features or nature, which indicated where a family lived or originated from. Thus, it's likely that the ancestors of the Lindh family lived in or near a place where linden trees were prominent. It's also worth noting that the suffix "-h" may be added to many Swedish words to create surnames, but does not change the core meaning of the original word. Over time, people migrated and family names like Lindh spread to other Nordic countries, as well as other parts of the world. As such, it is important to state that the name's origin may not necessarily reflect its current geographical distribution.
Order DNA origin analysisLindh: Where does the name Lindh come from?
The surname Lindh originated from Scandinavia, primarily from Sweden. It is a topographic name derived from the Swedish term "Lind" meaning lime or linden tree. Hence it was often given to individuals who lived near a linden tree. The suffix "h" is a short form of "hydd" which translates to "residing under" so Lindh literally means, "living under the linden tree." The surname spread across different regions as people moved to different places for various reasons. Today, it is predominantly found in Sweden and Finland but can also be found in countries such as the United States and Canada where it might have been carried by Scandinavian immigrants. Despite its distribution, the frequency of the surname is still highest in its countries of origin i.e., Sweden and Finland. In Finland, it's particularly common in Åland, an autonomous region located at the entrance to the Gulf of Bothnia in the Baltic Sea. Furthermore, the surname is borne by several notable people like John Walker Lindh, an American captured as an enemy combatant during the United States' invasion of Afghanistan in 2003.
Variations of the surname Lindh
The surname Lindh is predominantly found in Sweden and has variants that are spelled differently, yet have the same origin, often derived from the Swedish word "Lind" which means lime or linden tree. These variants can include Lind, Linde, Lindt, Lint, and Lynd.
Similar surnames that may have the same origin due to their relation to the word "Lind" include Lindberg, Lindgren, Lindholm, Lindstrom, and Lindqvist, where the second element of these compound surnames usually refers to geographic features, such as 'berg' means mountain, 'gren' means branch, 'holm' means islet, 'strom' means stream, and 'qvist' means twig.
Other related surnames are those named after the ancestor's profession or residence, like Lindeman, meaning a man who lives near a linden tree, or Lindner, one who works with lime or linden wood.
It's also noteworthy to mention that variations of the surname may exist in other countries due to influences of different languages, for instance, Linden is a common variant in English-speaking countries and Linder in German-speaking regions. However, tracing the exact origin of a surname can sometimes be speculative considering names frequently changed across generations and geographies.
Famous people with the name Lindh
- John Walker Lindh: John Walker Lindh is an American who was captured by the United States armed forces in late 2001 in Afghanistan. He had joined the Taliban and gained notoriety when he was dubbed by the media as the “American Taliban.” Since his capture, he has been sentenced to multiple prison sentences, adding up to 20 years.
- Mårten Lindh: Mårten Lindh is a Swedish film director and screenwriter who is best known for directing the children’s film Sune vs. Sune, which was nominated for an Academy Award in the Best Foreign Film Category.
- Agnetha Fältskog: Agnetha Fältskog is a Swedish pop singer and songwriter who was one of the founding members of the band ABBA, one of the world’s most successful pop groups. She is the daughter of the late Anna and Ingvar Lindh.
- Marten Lindh: Marten Lindh is a Swedish film producer and cinematographer who is the CEO and founder of the film production company Pyro Studios. Lindh has been involved in various projects including classic Swedish films like Uppdrag i Himalaya and Checkpoint Charlie.
- Sophie Lindh: Sophie Lindh is a Swedish opera singer who has performed in various operas throughout Europe. She currently works at the Royal Swedish Opera as a principal singer and is a professor in opera at the Royal College of Music in Stockholm.
- Christian Lindh: Christian Lindh is a Swedish screenwriter and director best known for his work on the 2004 film Orka! Orka! and the 2009 Bildmakarna documentary series. He has been nominated for several awards including the Swedish Guldbagge Award for Best Director.