Last Name Lindholm

The surname Lindholm is of Scandinavian origin. It derives from two Norse words: "lindr" meaning 'linen' or 'flax', and "holmr" meaning 'island' or 'small peninsula'. Over time, the spelling has evolved as it was carried to other parts of the world by Scandinavian settlers. In Sweden, there are several regions named Lindholm, which may have contributed to its adoption as a surname in that country.

Learn more about the origin of the last name Lindholm

The meaning and origin of the last name Lindholm

The surname Lindholm is of Scandinavian origin, specifically Swedish and Norwegian. It is composed of two elements: "Lind" and "holm." "Lind" is derived from the Old Norse word "lindr," meaning "linn tree," a type of tree with narrow leaves resembling those of a lime tree. "Holm" is an Old Norse word for an island or a headland, often used to denote a small piece of land surrounded by water. Thus, Lindholm literally translates to "island or headland with lind trees." Over time, the name has been brought to various parts of the world due to migration and settlement, particularly in North America.

Geographical distribution of the last name Lindholm

The surname Lindholm is predominantly of Scandinavian origin, particularly associated with Sweden and Finland. In Sweden, it ranks as one of the top 200 most common surnames, with the highest concentration found in regions such as Skåne, Västergötland, and Småland. In Finland, it is less frequent but still significant, primarily observed in Western Finland and Uusimaa. Additionally, there are notable populations of Lindholms in Norway, Denmark, and other parts of the world due to migration from these Scandinavian countries over time.

Variants and spellings of the last name Lindholm

The surname Lindholm has several variations and spellings due to differences in transcription and translation over time. Some common versions include:

1. Lindholme (originating from Old Norse, meaning 'linn' or 'lind' tree and 'holm' island)
2. Lindhólm, Lindholmr (Old Norse forms with the definite article)
3. Lindolm (a phonetic variation of Lindholm)
4. Lindholt, Lindholtz (Germanized versions)
5. Lindholmey, Lindhomme (Frenchized variations)
6. Linholm (an anglicized version)
7. Lindolmius, Lindholmi (Latinized forms)
8. Von Lindholm (indicating nobility in some European countries)
9. De Lindholm (a Swedish variation with the prefix de meaning 'from' or 'of')
10. Van Lindholm (a Dutch variation with the prefix van meaning 'of')

These variations and spellings can be found among individuals of Scandinavian, German, French, and other European descent bearing the surname Lindholm.

Famous people with the last name Lindholm

Notable individuals with the surname Lindholm include:

1. Fredrik Lindholm (born 1962), a Swedish ice hockey goaltender who played for teams like Djurgårdens IF and the Swedish national team. He won gold medals at the 1984 and 1988 Winter Olympics.

2. Linus Lindholm (born 1993), a Swedish footballer who plays as a defender for FC Midtjylland and the Sweden national team. He made his international debut in 2015.

3. Daniel Lindholm (born 1984), also known by his stage name Ylvis, is a Norwegian comedian, musician, and YouTube personality, best known for creating the viral video "What Does the Fox Say?"

4. Jakob Lindholm (born 1992), a Swedish professional ice hockey player who currently plays for the Philadelphia Flyers of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was drafted by the Colorado Avalanche in the 2013 NHL Entry Draft.

5. Björn Lindholm (born 1968), a Swedish football manager and former player who played as a goalkeeper. He managed teams like IF Elfsborg, Malmö FF, and Helsingborgs IF in Sweden, as well as Aston Villa in the English Premier League.

These individuals have made significant contributions to their respective fields of sports and entertainment.

Genealogical research on the last name Lindholm

The surname Lindholm originates from Scandinavia, specifically Denmark, Norway, and Sweden, where it is a patronymic name derived from the personal name Linus or Lind, with 'holm' meaning 'island' or 'headland'. In medieval Scandinavia, personal names were often followed by -son (for males) or -dottir (for females), indicating the father of the named person. The Lindholm family can be traced back to various historical records in these countries. For instance, in Denmark, a Johannes Lindholm is mentioned in 1326 in the Diplomatarium Regale Danicum, an archive of Danish royal charters and other official documents dating from the Viking Age to the present day. The surname Lindholm also appears in Swedish records dating back to the late Middle Ages. Over time, families bearing this name migrated to other parts of Europe and later to North America, particularly during the 19th century, contributing to its global distribution today.

Last name distribution maps

Sources & References

• INSEE statistics on the surname "Lindholm"
• Global distribution of the surname on Forebears.io
• Wikipedia Article

About the author :

NomOrigine Team
Passionate about genealogy, name history, and linguistics, we have been analyzing the origins of names for over 3 years. Our content is based on verified historical, etymological, and statistical data.
Last updated : 28 July 2025

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