Linklater
A Scottish habitational surname indicating someone from Linlithgow or East Lothian.
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 308 Americans carry the last name Linklater. That puts it at #75,799 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 0.09 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 1,112,839 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Linklater surname. You will find the Census Bureau frequency data, an ancestry and ethnicity breakdown based on self-reported demographics, the name's meaning and origin where available, and answers to the most common questions people ask about this surname.
Bearers in the US
308
1 in 1,112,839
Census rank
#75,799
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
0.1
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
254
very rare in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 254 bearers of the surname Linklater in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 0.09 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 75799th position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Linklater, the largest self-reported group is White at 90.9%. The next largest groups are American Indian/Alaska Native (5.9%) and Two or More Races (2.4%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Linklater
The surname Linklater is of Scottish origin, derived from the Old English words "linc" meaning a ridge or hill, and "latt" meaning a servant or retainer. It is likely that the name initially referred to someone who lived on or near a ridge or hill.
The earliest known record of the name dates back to the 13th century, with a Robert de Linclerech appearing in the Ragman Rolls of 1296, a document recording those who swore allegiance to King Edward I of England during his invasion of Scotland. The name also appears in the 14th century as Linclater and Lincledoire.
In the Domesday Book of 1086, a survey of landowners in England commissioned by William the Conqueror, there are no direct references to the surname Linklater, but there are several place names that may have influenced the development of the name, such as Lincroft in Lincolnshire and Linton in Cambridgeshire.
One of the earliest known bearers of the name was Robert Linklater, a Scottish merchant and burgess of Aberdeen in the late 15th century. Another notable figure was Sir John Linklater of Linklater, who was knighted by King James VI of Scotland in the early 17th century.
Other notable Linklaters throughout history include:
1. Robert Linklater (1776-1846), a Scottish inventor and engineer who patented several innovations in steam engines and milling machinery.
2. Eric Linklater (1899-1974), a Scottish novelist and poet known for works such as "The Wind on the Moon" and "The Crusader."
3. Andro Linklater (1944-2013), a Scottish journalist and author who wrote extensively on military history and international affairs.
4. Kristin Linklater (born 1936), a Scottish-born theatre teacher and author who has influenced the teaching of voice and speech for actors.
5. Magnus Linklater (born 1942), a Scottish journalist and former editor of The Scotsman newspaper.
The name Linklater remains most prevalent in Scotland, particularly in the regions of Aberdeenshire and Angus, where many of the earliest recorded bearers of the name were based.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Linklater
Among Census respondents with the surname Linklater, the largest self-reported group is White at 90.9%. The next largest groups are American Indian/Alaska Native (5.9%) and Two or More Races (2.4%).
The bar chart below shows how Linklater bearers described their own race and ethnicity on the 2010 Census form. The Census Bureau groups responses into six broad categories: White, Black or African American, Hispanic or Latino, Asian and Pacific Islander, American Indian and Alaska Native, and Two or More Races. When a category has too few respondents for a given surname, the Bureau suppresses the figure to protect individual privacy, which is why some names show fewer than six slices.
Keep in mind that these are self-reported numbers. A person's surname does not determine their race or ethnicity, and the distribution you see here reflects the specific population who happened to carry the Linklater surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- White90.9%
- American Indian and Alaska Native5.9%
- Two or more races2.4%
- Unknown or suppressed0.8%
Year on year
2000 vs 2010 Census
How has the Linklater surname changed between Census years? The chart shows bearer count side by side, and the table compares rank, count, and frequency.
Census year comparison
| Metric | 2000 | 2010 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #75,466 | #75,799 | -0.4% |
| Count | 238 | 254 | 6.7% |
| Per 100K | 0.09 | 0.09 | 0.0% |
Between the 2000 and 2010 Census, the number of Linklater bearers went from 238 to 254 (+6.7% change). The surname moved down 333 positions in the national ranking, going from #75,466 to #75,799.
Notable bearers
Famous people with the surname Linklater
FAQ
Linklater surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Linklater?
The surname Linklater holds position #75,799 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 308 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 0.09 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Linklater surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Linklater, the largest self-reported group is White at 90.9%. The next largest groups are American Indian/Alaska Native (5.9%) and Two or More Races (2.4%). These figures come from the 2010 Census Bureau surname tables, based on how respondents described their own race and ethnicity.
Where does this surname data come from?
All surname statistics on Name Census are drawn from the US Census Bureau's decennial surname frequency tables. These tables list every surname that appeared 100 or more times in the 2010 Census, along with a frequency rate and self-reported demographic breakdown. You can read the full explanation on our methodology page.