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The Clan Sinclair Project
This project is for users researching the Scottish clan Sinclair, its history, and descendants.
Clan Sinclair
- Current Chief: The Rt. Hon. Malcolm Ian Sinclair The 20th Earl of Caithness
- Gaelic Name: Mac na Ceardadh or Singlear
- Crest Badge: A cock rampant
- Plant Badge: Whin
- Motto: Commit thy work to God
- War Cry:
- Lands: Rosslyn, Caithness, Orkney
A full size image of this this map is available - use the magnifier for an even larger image.
Origin of the Name
The name Sinclair is derived from "Saint-Clair", a place in France. However, there is a dispute about which Saint-Clair was the original home of the family.
Names Associated with Clan Sinclair
- Name Variations: Saint-Clair, St. Clair
- Septs:
- Other Names: Budge, Caird, Clouston, Clyne, Hourie, Howrie, Laird, Linklater, Lyall, Mason, Peace, Purdie, Snoddy
Clan History and Origins
It is likely the Sinclairs came from St Clare in Normandy. They first went to England (before they came to Scotland) with William the Conqueror during his invasion of England. Richard of Saint-Clair and Brittel of Saint-Clair are both mentioned in the Domesday Book. William of Saint-Clair accompanied Saint Margaret of Scotland, daughter of Edward the Exile to Scotland in 1068, where she eventually married Malcolm III of Scotland. In return for his efforts, the king supposedly granted Sinclair the barony of Roslin, Scotland "in free heritage". The chiefs of Clan Sinclair descend from Sir William St Clare who was sheriff of Edinburgh and who was granted the barony of Roslin (Rosslyn) in 1280. In 1379, Sir Henry Sinclair claimed the Earldom of Orkney through his mother and received it from Haakon VI of Norway. The Sinclairs were later forced by James III of Scotland to resign the earldom of Orkney, and received instead the title Earl of Caithness. (Source: Wikipedia)
What You Can Do Here
- Ask questions
- Collaborate on your research
- Share knowledge you have gained as you've done your own research in a specific area
- Problem finding an ancestors , open a discussion here and we all try to help
- Start your own related project
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- Add information to this project
- Start or take part in a discussion
If you have any questions or suggestions please do not hesitate to contact the project manager, Justin Swanström