Linde Family History

German, Dutch, and Scandinavian: topographic name for someone who lived by a conspicuous lime tree, Middle High German, Dutch linde, Scandinavian lind. There are several places, especially in North Germany, named with this word, and the name may be a habitational name from any of these. The word was also used in a number of Old High German women’s personal names, with the meaning ‘shield’ or ‘spear’ (these being made from the hard wood of the lime); it is possible that the surname in some cases is from a short form of one of these. As a Swedish name it is often ornamental rather than topographic. Jewish (Ashkenazic): ornamental adoption of German Linde ‘lime tree’ (see 1). Spanish: topographic name for someone who lived on a boundary, from Spanish linde ‘boundary’, Latin limes or habitational name from any of the places called La Linde in Oviedo (Oviéu) and Biscay provinces.

Source: Dictionary of American Family Names ©2013, Oxford University Press