 The fell's name originates from the Old Norse word "lyng" meaning “heather covered”.The actual summit of the fell is named as Brown How on Ordnance Survey maps.Although it is surrounded by higher and better-known fells, Lingmoor Fell is quite separate and distinct with no connecting ridges to other fells, giving it a considerable (for such a small fell) topographic prominence of 245 metres (804 feet), making it a Marilyn hill.