Lennox

Lennox is the transferred use of a Scottish surname from the Old Gaelic “leamhan” meaning “elm field”. The surname was derived from a place name so-called “the Lennox” which is a region of Scotland just north of Glasgow. Formerly a medieval kingdom of Scotland, the Earls of Lennox hailed from this territory. The Clan Lennox motto is “I’ll Defend”. The surname was first recorded as “de Lenox” near Glasgow in the 15th century. As previously mentioned, Lennox comes from a Scottish-Gaelic word meaning “elm”. The Wych Elm is native to Scotland and is an imposing, dignified tree that provides ample shade. In Germanic mythology the god Odin and his cohorts came upon two fallen trees, an ash tree and an elm tree. From them they created man (from the ash tree) and woman (from the elm). In Celtic mythology the elm tree is often associated with faeries and elves; they were believed to grow at burial sites and provide passageway to the underworld (this is why coffins were made from the elm wood). It is said if you prick the leaf of an elm with a pin and place it under your pillow, divinatory dreams with visit you as you sleep. Elm is resistant to splitting and wet conditions. It’s symbolic of groundedness, noble-mindedness, strength and dignity. Shakespeare used the name Lennox for a minor Scottish character in his c. 1606 play “Macbeth”. We also can’t help but to think of musician Annie Lennox from the 80s band Eurythmics which gives Lennox some female-musical currency. As a masculine name, Lennox is surprisingly popular in Germany. Within the English speaking world, it’s bestowed on boys with mild frequency in North America and Australia.