Surname von der Linden - Meaning and Origin

von der Linden: What does the surname von der Linden mean?

The last name von der Linden is a German surname that translates to “from the linden tree”. The linden tree is a species of a flowering tree native to the Northern Hemisphere, which the German people revere for its historical and cultural significance. The linden tree has been an important symbol in German culture for centuries. Many German paintings from the 18th century feature the linden tree, symbolizing loyalty and faith. In German culture, it is also considered a symbol of love and faithfulness towards one another, making it the perfect namesake for the von der Linden family.

Aside from its significant symbolism, the linden tree is also known for its various physical properties, ranging from a hard, knotty wood, to its pleasantly scented flowers. The tree is found throughout Europe, and has earned some names that honor its unique properties, such as the Lime tree, which is a name used to describe the British linden. The linden’s physical characteristics also has some practical functions, such as the production of aromatic oil, and the production of a sweet syrup-like syrup called ‘linden honey’.

The von der Linden family, therefore, can be proud to hold their name as a testament of their loyalty and strength, symbolizing a love of nature and an appreciation for historical and cultural significance.

von der Linden: Where does the name von der Linden come from?

The last name von der Linden is commonly found in Central and Northern Europe, especially in the countries of Germany, Sweden, Denmark, and Finland. It is one of the oldest surnames in Europe, first appearing in official records as early as the 12th century. The etymology of the name comes from the Old German word "linen" meaning "pool of water”, referring to a place near a wetland.

The earliest documented record of the von der Linden family is that of Johannes de Linden, who was born in Germany in 1412. From that point, the von der Linden name spread across Central and Northern Europe as the family expanded their borders. The family was particularly prominent in the eastern parts of Europe here.

Today, the von der Linden family is most commonly found in Germany and Sweden. In both countries, the name is typically spelled von der Linden, although variants can be found such as von Derlinden, De Linder, and Von den Linden. There are also some families of the same name in the United States, particularly in the Appalachia region, as well as in Canada, where the name is spelled de Linder.

The von der Lindens have a long and storied history in Europe and remain a prominent and well-respected family in the countries where they reside. It is testament to the family’s history that they have been able to maintain their last name despite centuries of political and social turmoil, and that the von der Linden name still carries a certain aura of respect and dignity.

Variations of the surname von der Linden

The surname von der Linden (originally von der Lynden or von der Lynden) has several variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. They include von der Lind, von der Linder, van der Linde, de la Lynden, Vanderlin, Von der Lindon, Vanderlyn, and Von der Lindern.

The main spelling, von der Linden, derived from the Middle Germanic words ‘von’ meaning ‘from’ and ‘der’ meaning ‘the’ combined with Linden, an old German word for a ‘linden tree’. In the Middle Ages, many families affected the title 'von der Linden' if they owned land with linden trees on it, or were related to a linden-bearing area.

To this day, the name is still found throughout Europe, with most name holders being of German, Dutch, or Belgian origin. The Dutch used the spelling "van der Linde", while the Belgians preferred the form "de la Linden".

In English-speaking countries, such as the United States and the United Kingdom, the spelling often changed over time from the original German form, becoming ‘Vanderlin’, ‘Vanderlyn’, and ‘Von der Lindon’.

In some cases, the name has evolved even further. Some branches of the family adopted the name as their surname, using it as 'Linde', 'Linder', or 'Lind'. In other cases, its given name form, 'Von der Linden' became the adopted surname, thus becoming 'Von der Linden'.

Therefore, the surname ‘von der Linden’ has various spellings and variants, ranging from the original German form to different permutations of spelling in countries like England, Holland, and Belgium. As such, one can conclude that many variations of the surname exist.

Famous people with the name von der Linden

• Beckenbauer Franz Von Der Linden: German footballer and manager also known as Der Kaiser.
• Henry Van Der Linden: Former Dutch Minister of Defence.
• Emma van der Linden: Dutch actress.
• Johannes A. von der Linden: German track and field athlete.
• Fred Von Der Linden: American water-skier, coached by renowned waterskiing coach Jimmy Smith for four seasons.
• Adolf von der Linden: German poet and children's literature author.
• Franz von der Linden: Austrian film actor and director.
• Johnathan Von der Linden: South African rugby Union player.
• Florian von der Linden: German journalist and author.
• Carsten von der Linden: German actor and political activist.
• Tobias von der Linden: German photographer.
• Ibish von der Linden: German mathematician.
• Lorens von der Linden: Swedish actor and television presenter.
• Wilhelm von der Linden: German physicist and mathematician.
• Fenna van der Linden: Dutch model.
• Hinrich von der Linden von der Osten: German industrialist and aristocrat.
• Ville von der Linden: Finnish musician and composer.
• Hugo von der Linden: German physician and pharmacist.
• Peter von der Linden: German physicist and astronomer.
• Joanne van der Linden: Australian field hockey player.

Other surnames

von der Linde