Recorded in several spellings including Lumsden, Lumsdaine, and Lumsdon, this is a Scottish locational surname. it originates from a place called 'Lumsden' in the parish of Coldingham, Berwickshire. The name derives from the Olde English pre 7th century 'lumm' meaning a pool, plus 'denu' a valley. The surname from this source is first recorded in the mid 12th century (see below). In an early Calendar of Documents relating to Scotland, reference is made to an Adam de Lummesdene of Berwickshire who rendered homage in 1296. In the early half of the 14th century a branch of the Lumsden family acquired land in Fife and in Aberdeenshire, near Aberdeen to which they gave their family name, whilst John de Lummysden witnessed a charter by Duncan, earl of Fife, c. 1335. An interesting name bearer was Sir Harry Burnett Lumsden (1821-1896), lieutenant-general od the British army, and who served for many years in India. He introduced the khaki uniform into the Indian army, and it was subsequently adopted throughout the forces at the end of the 19th century. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Gillem de Lumisden. this was dated circa 1166, when he witnessed a charter by the earl of Dunbar to the Priory of Coldingham. This was during the reign of King William, the Lion, of Scotland, 1165-1214. Throughout the centuries, surnames in every country have continued to "develop" often leading to astonishing variants of the original spelling.

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