Last Name Lins

The surname Lins has Germanic and Dutch origins. It is derived from the personal name Lindo, a short form of names containing the Old High German element "lind" meaning "flexible, soft, tender," as well as a cognate in other Germanic languages. In medieval times, it was common to adopt the names of saints as given names. Since Saint Linus was the second Pope of the Roman Catholic Church, his name became popular among Germans and Dutch, leading to the creation of surnames like Lins. Over time, the spelling and pronunciation have varied, resulting in different forms such as Lins, Lyns, or Lens in various regions and languages.

Learn more about the origin of the last name Lins

The meaning and origin of the last name Lins

The surname Lins is of Germanic origin, derived from various diminutive forms of the male given name Linus, which itself has roots in the Latin "Cynna" or "Linna," meaning "linen." In ancient Rome, Linus was associated with a musician and teacher who was said to have been taught by a nightingale. The surname Lins is also found in other European countries, such as Denmark and Sweden, where it may be of different origins. For example, in Scandinavia, Lins could potentially originate from the Old Norse word "lynr," meaning "swamp." However, the exact origin can vary based on specific regional or family histories. Over time, the spelling and pronunciation of this surname have been adapted to local linguistic conventions across different regions.

Geographical distribution of the last name Lins

The last name Lins is predominantly of Portuguese origin and is most frequently found in Brazil, due to historical Portuguese colonization. It is also present in other Portuguese-speaking countries such as Portugal, Angola, Mozambique, and Cape Verde. In addition, a significant number of people with the surname Lins can be found in various regions of the United States, particularly in areas with a high concentration of Brazilians, such as Florida and California. The last name is less common in other countries but does appear occasionally due to immigration or intermarriage. For example, there are individuals with the surname Lins in countries like Canada, Australia, Germany, and Japan. Overall, the geographical distribution of the last name Lins reflects the historical migration patterns of Portuguese-speaking populations.

Variants and spellings of the last name Lins

The surname Lins has several variations and spellings, primarily due to differences in pronunciation and spelling conventions across different languages and regions. Here are some of its known variants:

1. Linz - This is an alternative spelling that may be found more frequently in German-speaking countries or among people with German ancestry.
2. Lynce - A French variation, where the 's' at the end of Lins is replaced by a silent 'c'.
3. Lynds - An English spelling, where the double 'n' is replaced with a single 'n'.
4. Lync - Another English variant, where the final 's' is replaced with a hard 'c' sound.
5. Linzsch - A possible German extension, where the base name (Lins) is followed by a common German patronymic suffix (-sch).
6. Lynse - A variation of the French spelling, similar to Lynce but replacing the final 'c' with an 's'.

Famous people with the last name Lins

The Lins family has produced several notable figures in various fields. Oscar López Rivera, born in San Juan, Puerto Rico in 1943, is a civil rights activist who spent over thirty years in U.S. prison for seditious conspiracy before being released in 2017. He is best known for his efforts to bring independence to Puerto Rico. In the world of sports, Jeremy Lin, born in California in 1988, rose to fame as a professional basketball player with the New York Knicks in 2012, following an undrafted career and being dubbed as "Linsanity." He has played for several teams across the NBA. Lastly, Michelle Lin is a renowned physicist who, after completing her Ph.D. at Stanford University, has conducted groundbreaking research on dark matter at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). She was awarded a MacArthur Fellowship in 2017.

Genealogical research on the last name Lins

The Lins surname is believed to have originated from Germany, specifically Bavaria and Swabia regions, during the High Middle Ages. The earliest recorded spelling of the name can be traced back to the late 13th century in various Germanic documents. The name Lins is thought to have derived from a topographical or occupational name for someone who lived on a hill or a sloping piece of land, or possibly for a weaver, given the German word "linnen" meaning linen.

Over time, the family migrated and spread across Europe, with significant populations found in France, Switzerland, Belgium, and the Netherlands. In the 17th century, some Lins families immigrated to North America, settling primarily in Pennsylvania and other regions along the East Coast of the United States. Today, the name can be found worldwide, with a notable concentration in Germany, Brazil, and the United States.

The Lins family history is rich and diverse, reflecting the broader historical events and migrations that shaped Europe and the New World over centuries. Genealogical research continues to reveal more about the origins, experiences, and accomplishments of individuals bearing the Lins surname.

Last name distribution maps

Sources & References

• INSEE statistics on the surname "Lins"
• 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 : 11 June 2025

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