Lindsay

The name Lindsay is derived from a place name in the Borders and means "ane surname of renown". It originates from the 12th Century.

William, grandson of the first Linsday mentioned in the records managed to acquire property of Crawford in Lanarkshire, and then married the daughter of Henry, Prince of Scotland. One of his descendants, Sir David Lindsay of Glenesk was made Earl of Crawford. Through marriage, he recieved the Barony of Strathnairn in Inverness-shire.

Through opposition to the rule of James II, the 4th Earl was deprived of all his lands, titles and offices, but was eventually pardoned. His son was made the Duke of Montrose by James III in 1488. This was the first time this title had ever been granted to someone not from the Royal family. The line ended with his death in 1495.

The House of Lords decided in 1848 to confer the title of the Earl and Crawford (originally belonging to the Earl of Lindsay) to James, 7th Earl of Balcarres who was later to become the 14th Earl of Crawford.

One of the most famous Lindsays was the great poet and reformer: Sir David Lindsay of the Mount (1490-1567), and Robert Lindsay of Pitscottie, author of the Chronicles of Scotland.