Linton Surname

[Drillagent]

While working on my family genealogy I found that my maternal grandfather's ancestor came from Londonderry, Ireland. But I keep finding references to Scottish ancestry and not Irish. Does anyone have any knowledge of Scottish Lintons? Is Linton a sept or a clan? I'm pulling my hair out on this one. Both my father's and mother's direct lines end in Northern Ireland, and I can't get any further.

[macwilkin]

While working on my family genealogy I found that my maternal grandfather's ancestor came from Londonderry, Ireland. But I keep finding references to Scottish ancestry and not Irish. Does anyone have any knowledge of Scottish Lintons? Is Linton a sept or a clan? I'm pulling my hair out on this one. Both my father's and mother's direct lines end in Northern Ireland, and I can't get any further.

Since they are from Londonderry, Northern Ireland, there is a very good chance they're Ulster-Scots.

T.

[slohairt]

Linton is of Lowland Scots (and sometimes English origin). It can be derived from a variety of topographical sources: 1) From the Gaelic word linne meaning 'pool' or 'channel'. From Anglic lint meaning 'flax'. 3) From the River Lynne (itself from Brythonic Llynn meaning 'torrent').

Since this is a series of unconnected names, I would say they are not a clan or even a sept. (Except maybe in a 'convenient' modern sense, like in a tartan shop.) A district tartan would probably be a good idea. It could be one from a region in the Lowlands of Scotland or perhaps even County Derry, Northern Ireland.

[Atlanta Kiltie]

Drillargent

From what I have been able to piece together, the Linton surname is from the Border Region, specifically Roxborough therefore being Lowlanders. I have not been able to find a relation to a clan. There are traces of the name from England, Ireland and Germany too. I am a Linton, out of Savannah GA, and would love to chat with you and see what we can piece together.

Ben Linton, Atlanta Kiltie

[An t-Ileach]

There's a town of Linton about 10 miles east of Jedburgh in the Borders (used to be Roxburghshire).

[macwilkin]

Drillargent

From what I have been able to piece together, the Linton surname is from the Border Region, specifically Roxborough therefore being Lowlanders. I have not been able to find a relation to a clan. There are traces of the name from England, Ireland and Germany too. I am a Linton, out of Savannah GA, and would love to chat with you and see what we can piece together.

Ben Linton, Atlanta Kiltie

If they are from the Lowlands/Borders, there will be no tie to a Highland clan.

The Ulster tartan would be another option as well.

T.

[Drillagent]

Drillagent

From what I have been able to piece together, the Linton surname is from the Border Region, specifically Roxborough therefore being Lowlanders. I have not been able to find a relation to a clan. There are traces of the name from England, Ireland and Germany too. I am a Linton, out of Savannah GA, and would love to chat with you and see what we can piece together.

Ben Linton, Atlanta Kiltie

Thanks all for your help. I'm kind of disappointed in that I was hoping to be able claim a second clan. Oh well, I'm that much closer to finding out where they came from. My Lintons seem to have come to Pennsylvania and then migrated to Illinois. Alexander Linton is listed in the 1850 census as being born in Ireland, but one of his sons, Sylvester is listed in the 1870 census as being born in Pennsylvania about 1833. I'm trying to narrow down when, where, and how he immigrated to the US. Ireland seems to be a black hole when it comes to information. If only they would put the info in PRONI online, it would make things easier. Anyway, thanks for the help.

By the way, my Linton married a Wharfield, so the internal conflict with my highland Kings goes back and forth. Ah, but the Highland blood is thick my friends. ARDCHOILLE!!

[sirdaniel1975]

The Linton Name

From "The Surnames of Ireland" by MacLysaght (6th edition)

page 196

Linton - An English toponymic used sometimes as an abbreviation of MacClinton. See Glendon.

page 129

Glendon, Glindon - These and the intermediate form MacLindon, as well as Lindon, are abbreviated forms of MacAlinden. Linton is also on record as a synonym in Cos. Down and Armagh. Glendon and Glindon, however, were quite numerous in Cos. Tipperary and Kilkenny in the 17th century and these are thought to be of English origin. I have not yet sufficient evidence to make a definite statement as to that.

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From the "Surnames of Scotland" by George F. Black

page 430

LINTON. Of local origin from one or other of the following places: (1) Linton, now West Linton, a village and parish of Peeblesshire, (2) Linton, a parish of Roxburghshire, (3) East Linton, a small burgh in the parish of Prestonkirk, East Lothian. Gamel de Lintun witnessed a charter by Ernaldus, bishop of St. Andrews, c. 1160-62 (RPSA., p. 128) and Magister Robert de Linton was vicar of Kylelan (Killilan), a. 1214 (Levenax, p. 14; RMP., p. 209).Philip de Lynton, constable of Berewyc, witnessed a Coldingham charter of 1285 (Raine, 262), and in 1296 rendered homage (Baine, II, p. 213). Two Adam de Lyntons of Edinburghshire also rendered homage in the same year (ibid., p. 201). Thomas Lynton was provost of Aberdeen, 1348 - 49, William de Lyntoun was tenant of the fulling-mill of Scralyne, 1376 (RHM., I, p. lxvii), James de Lintoune was Bailie of Edinburgh, 1411 (Cambus., 94), and John Linton is recorded in Balgreddan, 1677 (Kirkudbright). Lyntoune 1599.

I hope this information can be useful to any Linton's present here.

[gilmore]

Thanks all for your help. I'm kind of disappointed in that I was hoping to be able claim a second clan. Oh well, I'm that much closer to finding out where they came from. ...

Why would you want a second one?

Back when clans were a truly existent societal structure, one was a part of only one. You became a member of a clan by giving alliegiance to a chief, and did that to only one chief.

[Carolina Kiltman]

Why would you want a second one?

Back when clans were a truly existent societal structure, one was a part of only one. You became a member of a clan by giving alliegiance to a chief, and did that to only one chief.

It was because of this, that I settled on my Mother's clan, (she came from Mull). I could have also claimed Boyd, Leslie, and Ross. . . . but there the connexion is further back. Just a thought.