Surname Lining - Meaning and Origin

Lining: What does the surname Lining mean?

The surname Lining is of English origin, appearing in records as far back as the 1500s. It is believed to be derived from the Old English personal name "Līg(i)n", and refers to a person who was either a steward or servant. This is evidenced by various documents which detail a Lining family from Yorkshire, owned land in 1297, but were listed as 'villeins' in 1316, suggesting that the family owned land, but were still lower in society due to their peasant status.

The surname may also have a geographical origin, deriving from 'Lyng', the Old English word for 'heather'. This could suggest that the original bearer of the name was from an area where heather was abundant, and was thus given the surname to differentiate them from others.

The surname Lining is fairly uncommon, particularly outside of England, and is considered to be a rare name. It is especially rare in the United States, where it is believed to be most associated with those who have English heritage, or have followed a migration from England. It is most prevalent in the UK, particularly in South Yorkshire and Lancashire, where it was mainly found historically in the Middle Ages.

Though the origin of the surname Lining may never be known for certain, it is clear that it is a relatively rare name, and is likely to be associated predominantly with those with English heritage.

Lining: Where does the name Lining come from?

The surname Lining is mainly found in mainland China today. It is a common surname of Southern China that originated in Shaoxing, a prefecture-level city in the Zhejiang Province. According to legend, the surname first appeared in the Spring and Autumn period (770 - 476 BC). It is said that a man named Lining helped to save the life of a king, earning him the lifelong gratitude of the royal court. In return, the king granted Lining permission to use his own name as his surname.

In modern times, Lining is the 80th most common surname in China, with an estimated population of 0.24%. It is most prevalent in Zhejiang and Jiangsu provinces, with smaller origins in Anhui Province. It is also occasionally found in other parts of the world, such as Taiwan, Singapore, and the United States, where citizens of Chinese ancestry might have adopted the name.

The Chinese characters for Lining are 林. The name translates in English to “grove” or “forest”, a homage to its origins from the Spring and Autumn period.

Variations of the surname Lining

The surname Lining is thought to have originated from several countries, including England, Ireland, Germany, and Denmark, and has been known in America since the late 1600s.

The most common spellings of the surname are Lining, Linnin, Lyning, and Lininger. The surname has also been rendered as Linn, Linnings, Linnen, Linnenger, Line, Linning, Lineinger, Lingen, and Lyninger.

In England, Lining is derived from the Old English name “Leofwine”, meaning “dear friend”. The name is also likely to have originated from linon, the French word for “linen”—which may refer to someone who worked with linen fabrics. Additionally, the surname may have been derived from the Old Welsh name “Llywemyn”, meaning “righteous man”. In Scotland, the name is thought to have derived from the Old Gaelic “Luinnig”, which means “fierce”.

In Ireland, the surname is derived from the Irish Gaelic “O’Loinnear”, which means “descendant of Loinnear”, a personal name derived from the Gaelic “lann”, meaning “land”.

In Germany, the surname is derived from the name “Lenz”, which is derived from “lyn”, meaning “lion”, and is used as a label for someone who behaved bravely.

In Denmark, the surname is derived from the Old Norse name “Lyng”, which means “heather”.

Alternate surnames of similar origins include: Linnen, Linnenberg, Lingenfelter, Leininger, Lenny, Lion, and Loinier.

Famous people with the name Lining

• Robert Lining, Jr.: American basketball player
• Cara Lining: American television producer
• William Lining, Jr.: American physician
• William Lining, Sr.: American Revolutionary War Patriot
• Demetria Lining: American reality TV personality
• Tyson Lining: American actor
• Paul Lining: British actor
• Emily Lining: American speed skater
• Frank Lining: American Civil War soldier
• Scott Lining: American comedian
• Clifford Lining: Canadian hockey player
• Lia Lining: Vietnamese visual artist
• John Francis Lining: British-born American botanist
• Kevin McMaster Lining: New Zealand rugby player
• Jody Lining: American poet
• Kaleb Lining: Canadian actor
• Paul Lining: English musician
• Joelle Lining: French performance artist
• Todd Lining: American engineer
• Andrew Lining: Canadian figure skater

Other surnames

Lininger