We are told by Bede that _Lindisfarne_, now Holy Island, derives the first
part of its name from the small brook Lindis, which at high water is quite
invisible, being covered by the tide, but at low water is seen running
briskly into the sea. Now I should be glad to know the precise meaning of
_Lindis_. We are informed by etymologists, that _Lyn_ or _Lin_, in names of
places, signifies water in any shape, as lake, marsh, or stream: but what
does the adjunct _dis_ mean? Some writers assert that _Lindis_ signifies
the linden-tree; thus making the sound an echo to the meaning: and hence
they assume that Lindesey in Lincolnshire must signify an Isle of
Linden-trees. But it is very doubtful that such a tree ever existed in
Lincolnshire anterior to the Conquest. The _linden_ is rather a rare tree
in England; and the two principal species, the _Tilia Europea_ and the
_Tilia grandifolia_, are said by botanists not to be indigenous to this
country, but to have been introduced into our island at an early period to
adorn the parks of the nobles, and certainly not till after the Conquest.
Dr. Henry, in his _History of Britain_, vol. iv., gives the meaning of
"Marsh Isle" to Lindsey, and of "Lake Colony" to Lincolnia. This I consider
the most probable signification to a district {84} that abounded in marshes
at that early period, when the rude Briton or the Saxon applied names to
places the most consonant to the aspects they afforded them: nor is it
likely they would give the name of Lindentree to a small brook, where such
a tree never could have grown.
As to the antiquity of the name of Lindes or Lindesey, I should say
Lindentree must be of comparatively modern nomenclature. I should, however,
be glad to have the opinion of some of your better-informed etymologists on
the meaning of the word, as it may decide a point of some importance in
genealogy.