Surname Lincoln - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'L'
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Receiving my iGENEA DNA test results provoked a reshaping of my perspective on personal identity and gifted me an insight into the depths of my heritage. The surname Lincoln has taken on a newfound importance as a symbolic affirmation of my genuine lineage.
L. Lincoln
read moreLincoln: What does the surname Lincoln mean?
The last name Lincoln has English origins and is derived from the city of Lincoln in England. The city's name itself has roots in the Celtic language, from the word "Lindon" which means “lake or pool.” Later, when the Romans occupied the city, they named it "Lindum Colonia", eventually shortened to Lincoln. The surname Lincoln, therefore, refers to someone who originally came from or lived in Lincoln. Over time, it evolved into a hereditary surname, handed down from generation to generation. One of the most famous bearers of this surname is the 16th President of the United States, Abraham Lincoln, whose name signifies the lake (Lin) at the colony (Colonia).
Order DNA origin analysisLincoln: Where does the name Lincoln come from?
The surname Lincoln originally derives from England, more specifically from the city of Lincoln in eastern England. The name is geographical in nature, arising from individuals who migrated from that city and were subsequently known as "of Lincoln". The roots of "Lincoln" come from Celtic and Latin -- 'lindo' meaning lake, and 'colonia', which means colony; "Lincoln" would then mean 'colony by the lake'.
Today, the surname retains its roots in the United Kingdom and can be found there, but it is more commonly encountered in the United States. The visibility and popularity of this surname in the United States have largely been attributable to the 16th President, Abraham Lincoln. In addition, it is also common in English-speaking countries such as Canada and Australia. It's important to note that the density of the surname is still relatively low globally, it is not one of the most frequently found last names. The distribution of the Lincoln surname in the world today is spread across multiple countries, still relatively prominent in those where English is the primary language.
Variations of the surname Lincoln
The surname Lincoln is a toponymic name, which means it is derived from a geographical location. It originally referred to individuals from Lincoln, England. The English city's name itself comes from the Welsh elements "lynn," meaning "pool," and "coln," meaning "colony."
Variations of the surname Lincoln may include Lincorne, Lyncolne, Lincolne, Lyncoln, Linkhorn, Linkern, and Linkun among others. Since the name is Old English in origin, there can be many phonetic spellings. It's notable that the spelling "Lincoln" has been made famous worldwide, largely due to the 16th U.S. President, Abraham Lincoln.
It's important to note there are also many instances of the name becoming the basis for new surnames. For instance, those who hail from the city of Lincoln in England may also hold surnames like Lincolnshire, Lincolnton, Lincolnwood etc.
In the United States, some families might have anglicized similar sounding names to Lincoln, making it a potentially common variation among immigrants seeking more assimilation.
In conclusion, the surname Lincoln has several variants and spellings which are primarily phonetic derivations, and its influence can be felt in several related surnames as well.
Famous people with the name Lincoln
- Abraham Lincoln: 16th President of the United States (1861-1865).
- Robert Todd Lincoln: Son of Abraham Lincoln, served as Secretary of War under President James Garfield.
- Mary Lincoln: Wife of Abraham Lincoln, served as First Lady of the United States from 1861-1865.
- Tad Lincoln: Son of Abraham and Mary Lincoln, served as President during the Civil War.
- Willie Lincoln:Son of Abraham and Mary Lincoln, served as President during the Civil War.
- Edward J. Lincoln: American politician, served as United States Secretary of War after Robert Todd Lincoln in 1882.
- Levi Lincoln Jr.: American politician, served as United States Secretary of State under President William Henry Harrison.
- Levi Lincoln Sr.: American politician, served as Governor of Massachusetts from 1825-1834 and US Attorney General from 1801-1805.
- Robert Lincoln Beckwith: Great-grandson of Abraham Lincoln, served briefly in the US Army during World War II.
- Dorothea “Doe” Lincoln: Great-granddaughter of Abraham Lincoln, a well-known photographer.
- J. Edward Lincoln: American screenwriter, wrote the screenplay for the 1998 film Pleasantville.
- Benjamin Rush Lincoln: American artist, known for his paintings of military and historical events.
- Abigail Lincoln: Sister of Abraham Lincoln, served as a seamstress.
- Matthew Lincoln: Grandson of Abraham Lincoln, served in the US Navy during World War II.
- Edward Baker Lincoln: Son of Abraham Lincoln, served in the Union Army during the Civil War.
- William Wallace Lincoln: Son of Abraham Lincoln, served as a cadet in the United States Military Academy.
- Jessie Harlan Lincoln: Daughter of Robert Todd Lincoln, served with the US Navy Nurse Corps during World War II.
- Thomas Lincoln: Father of Abraham Lincoln, served as a farmer.
- Robert Lincoln: Grandson of Abraham Lincoln, served as an artillery officer in the US Army during World War I.
- David Lincoln: Brother of Abraham Lincoln, served as a blacksmith.