Lindsay, “ ane surname of renown,” is derived from a place-name, and first appears on the Borders during the twelfth century. William, grandson of the first mentioned Lindsay of Ericildon, acquired the property of Crawford in Lanarkshire, and married the daughter of Henry, Prince of Scotland. Several generations later his descendant Sir David Lindsay of Glenesk was created Earl of Crawford in 1398. He married a daughter of Robert II., and received with her the Barony of Strathnairn, in Inverness-shire.

He was a brave and chivalrous Knight and narrowly escaped death when fighting the forces under the “ Wolf of Badenoch.” He died in 1407. Bitter feuds existed between the Lindsays and the Ogilvies, and Alexander, 4th Earl, Known as Earl Beardie, was severely defeated by the Earl of Huntley in 1452, when Earl Beardie was deprived of all his lands, titles and offices, but after a reconciliation he was pardoned, and died in 1454. His son, David, 5th Earl, was created Duke of Montrose by James III. In 1488, the first instance of a Dukedom being conferred on a Scotsman not of the Royal Family. This Dukedom ended with his death in 1495. Later feuds of Crawfords were intimately concerned in feuds and rebellions in Scotland, and in military service aboard.

John 1st Earl of Lindsay, assumed the title of Earl of Crawford in 1644. In 1848 the House of Lords decided that the titles of the Earl of Crawford and the Earl of Lindsay belonged to James, 7th Earl of Balcarres, who thus became 24th Earl of Crawford. Sir David Lindsay, of the Mount (1490-1567), poet and reformer, and Robert Lindsay of Pitscottie (sixteenth century), author of the Chronicles of Scotland are two of Scotland’s celebrated literary men.

Crest: An ostrich, proper, holding in its beak a key, or. Badge: Rue.

There is a Clan Lindsay Society with headquarters in Edinburgh.