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 northern 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. Compare Lindy.

Jewish (Ashkenazic): adoption of German Linde ‘lime tree’ (see 1 above).

Spanish: topographic name for someone who lived on a boundary from linde ‘boundary’ (from Latin limes) or a habitational name from any of the places called La Linde in Oviedo and Biscay provinces.