Where does "Linley" come from?Where does "Linley" come from?In case you were wondering where "Linley" comes from; my maternal grandmother was born Blanche Linley (and Linley is my middle name). She was always interested in her "English cousins", and as a result, she turned much of the family into musicians, modeled after the great Linley's of Bath. However, "our side" of the Linley family came over to the Connecticut colony around 1634. That would put us a split off from the English tree long before any Linley's got famous in Bath. Hence, I do not think we have any way of proving a link, but at best it would be a parallel branch. Perhaps we are from Yorkshire (another Linley branch)?!?
The name, therefore, is to honor ancestors near and far. Interestingly, I receive emails from Linley's who stumble accross this site, and I always love to hear from them. We are a small clan.
All the best . . . Chris
Just thought you might want to read about some of my famous ancestors, not that they make me any more important, but it's fun to know. I am directly descended from Eric IX, King of Sweden, (1103-1160) also known as Eric the Holy, Patron Saint of Sweden. I am linked to him thru my Dad's mother Hebe. Her father, the Reverand
Joseph Mattson, who was a Swedish Lutheran minister. Hebe's mother - Ellen Mattson - was born in Abo, descended for the family who had held Abo castle. Abo, also known as Turku, was founded in 1157 by Eric IX, king of Sweden, and it was capital of Finland until 1812, when the seat of government was moved to Helsinki. Among others, I am decended from the Governor of the Castle, Krister Klaunpoika Horn 1514-17 (or in the Swedish language spelling; Christiern Clausson Horn -with the same dates).
Another famous ancestor, Thomas Shepard (1605-1649) was a puritan minister in early Cambridge, Mass, and he held some strong opinions. He was a prolific writer - An index of his writings
The most famous "Linley" in the family; Thomas Linley the Younger (1756-1778), is the inspiration for our musical roots (see notes above regarding how we don't know our relationship to the Linley's of Bath).
The first of "my" Johnsons who came to America was Captain John Johnson (1590-1659) plus Research and more research showing John Johnson's possible English parentage.
After all these accomplished forbearers, you would think I might have amounted to more myself! Not their fault, really.