NameCensus.

UK girl's name

Linsay

A feminine name of uncertain origin, possibly from a combination of "lind" (lime tree) and "ey" (island).

Linsay is a girl's name in the UK records.

We estimate that about 189 living people in the UK are called Linsay. This uses published birth registrations from England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, then applies ONS national life tables to estimate how many are likely still alive. It does not forecast extra births for 2025 or 2026.

Key insights

  • Linsay ranks best in Scotland in the latest published regional snapshot for that area, where it placed #558 in 1998.
  • About 189 living people in the UK are estimated to have Linsay as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.

Latest rank (E&W)

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Births in -

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Peak year

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Estimated living

189

2026

Meaning

What does Linsay mean?

The name Linsay has its origins in the Gaelic language and the Scottish culture. It is derived from the ancient Gaelic word "Linne," which means "pool" or "waterfall." The name likely originated in Scotland during the Middle Ages.

The earliest recorded use of the name Linsay dates back to the 12th century in Scotland. One of the first known individuals with this name was Lindsay of Ercildoune, a Scottish poet and alleged prophet who lived in the late 12th and early 13th centuries.

In the 14th century, the name Linsay gained prominence as a surname in Scotland. The Lindsay family was a powerful noble family that held significant influence in Scottish politics and society during this period.

Over the centuries, the name Linsay has been associated with several notable individuals. One of the most famous was Sir David Lindsay of the Mount (1490-1555), a Scottish poet and courtier who served under King James V of Scotland. His works, including "The Dreme" and "Ane Satyre of the Thrie Estaits," were influential in the literary and political spheres of his time.

Another notable figure with the name Linsay was Alexander William Crawford Lindsay, 25th Earl of Crawford and 8th Earl of Balcarres (1812-1880). He was a British politician, bibliophile, and collector of ancient manuscripts and books.

In the 20th century, Linsay Howard (1914-2009) was a British film and television actress who appeared in numerous productions, including the popular TV series "Upstairs, Downstairs."

The name Linsay has also been used by several artists and musicians, such as Linsay Buckingham, an American singer, songwriter, and lead guitarist of the band Fleetwood Mac, and Linsay Lohan, an American actress and singer.

While the name Linsay has its roots in Scotland, it has gained popularity in various parts of the world, particularly in English-speaking countries. However, its historical significance and connection to Scottish culture remain an essential part of its heritage.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

Geography

Where Linsay is most common

The bars show the latest published local birth counts for Linsay. They are useful for spotting where the name is showing up in real numbers, while the rank beside each bar shows how strongly it performs inside that region.

Linsay ranks best in Scotland in the latest published regional snapshot for that area, where it placed #558 in 1998.

Scotland
4

Across the UK

Linsay in Scotland and Northern Ireland

Scotland (NRS)

#558 in 1998

24 years of NRS records, 192 total registered

Related

Names similar to Linsay

FAQ

Linsay: questions and answers

What is the meaning and origin of Linsay?

A feminine name of uncertain origin, possibly from a combination of "lind" (lime tree) and "ey" (island).

Where is Linsay most common?

In the latest published local rankings, Linsay ranks best in Scotland, where it placed #558 in 1998. The regional bars on this page use birth counts, so they also reflect the size of each region.

Which records is this page based on?

The England and Wales timeline uses ONS baby-name records. Scotland figures come from NRS and Northern Ireland figures come from NISRA. Counts are registrations in published baby-name files. The living estimate uses those birth registrations with ONS national life tables.