Lennox is a Scottish surname carrying the name of one of the oldest earldoms in the land — the ancient territory around Loch Lomond. It is a name rooted in the deep history of the central Highlands' edge, where Lowland and Highland Scotland meet.
Quick answer: Lennox is a Scottish surname from the district and ancient earldom of Lennox, the country around Loch Lomond in the west; its motto is I'll Defend.
Where Does the Lennox Name Come From?
The name comes from the Lennox, an old province of Scotland covering the lands around Loch Lomond and the valley of the Leven, taking in parts of Dunbartonshire and Stirlingshire. The Earldom of Lennox was one of the most ancient in the kingdom, and families connected with this territory took its name. The word itself goes back to an early Gaelic root, Leamhnachd, associated with the elm-growing country of the Leven.
The ancient Earls of Lennox stood among the great magnates of medieval Scotland, and from the old comital line sprang several Highland and Lowland families of the west — among them Clan MacFarlane, whose chiefs descended from the Earls of Lennox. For more on that connected line, see our history of Clan MacFarlane.
The Lennox Motto
The motto associated with the name is I'll Defend — a short, plain declaration of loyalty and the readiness to stand for kin and country, fitting for a name drawn from the contested marches of the old Lennox.
Own a Piece of Lennox Heritage
The Lennox name appears across a range of keepsakes — an outdoor garden flag, a Christmas ornament, an engraved board, and more — each pairing the family name with a tartan-background crest design.
Popular Lennox gifts: Garden Flag · Ornament · Engraved Board
Frequently Asked Questions About the Lennox Name
What nationality is the Lennox surname?
Lennox is Scottish, from the old province of Lennox around Loch Lomond in the west of Scotland.
What does the Lennox name mean?
It comes from the district of Lennox, whose name goes back to an early Gaelic root linked to the elm country of the Leven.
What is the Lennox motto?
The motto associated with the name is I'll Defend.
Is Lennox connected to a clan?
The ancient Earls of Lennox were forebears of several western families, including the chiefs of Clan MacFarlane.
If you're proud of your Lennox heritage, you can explore gifts and home décor featuring the Lennox name by using the search bar above.
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