The name Lindsey derives from the Old English personal name "Lelli", and the Anglian term "ēg", which in this context likely refers to dry land surrounded by wetland and marsh.

[2] By 1086, the village was of some size, comprising 50 households of whom 38 were the property of the Abbey of (Bury) St Edmunds, and 12 belonged to Richard Fitz Gilbert (De Clare).

[4][5] At some stage during the eleventh and twelfth centuries Lindsey castle, otherwise known as "Boars Hill", was constructed within the parish.

During this period, the strength of the castle saw the Abbott of St Edmunds grant him control of the nearby parishes of Groton and Semer in order to defend them.

As a consequence, the existence of a medieval mill within Lindsey is shown when Nesta donated the tithes from the site to the priory in the thirteenth century.