Show ContentsSinnett History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Early Origins of the Sinnett family

The surname Sinnett was first found in County Wexford (Irish: Loch Garman), founded by Vikings as Waesfjord, and located in Southeastern Ireland, in the province of Leinster. "Descended from an honourable stock, of Norman extraction. They were possessed of lands in Ireland from the time of the Invasion, and in the county where they first found footing." [1] They claim descent from the Marquis of Lusignan, whose descendants came into England, at or soon after the Norman Conquest.

Early History of the Sinnett family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Sinnett research. Another 191 words (14 lines of text) covering the years 1172, 1344 and 1720 are included under the topic Early Sinnett History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Sinnett Spelling Variations

Medieval scribes and church officials spelt names simply the way they sounded, which explains the various name spelling variations of the name Sinnett that were encountered when researching that surname. The many spelling variations included: Sinnot, Sinnott, Sinnet, Sinnett, Sinot, Sinott and many more.

Early Notables of the Sinnett family

More information is included under the topic Early Sinnett Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


United States Sinnett migration to the United States +

Irish immigration to North American began in the late 18th century as many Irish families desired to own their own land. This pattern of immigration grew slowly yet steadily until the 1840s. At that time, a failed crop and a growing population in Ireland resulted in the Great Potato Famine. Poverty, disease, and starvation ravaged the land. To ease their pain and suffering the Irish often looked upon North America as a solution: hundreds of thousands undertook the voyage. Their arrival meant the growth of industry and commerce for British North America and the United States. For the individual Irishman, it meant survival and hope, and the opportunity for work, freedom, and ownership of land. The early immigration and passenger lists revealed many bearing the name Sinnett:

Sinnett Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
  • Alice Sinnett, who arrived in Maryland in 1677 [2]

Canada Sinnett migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Sinnett Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century
  • Ann Sinnett, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1750
  • Jane Sinnett, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1750

Contemporary Notables of the name Sinnett (post 1700) +

  • Thomas P. Sinnett, American politician, Delegate to Democratic National Convention from Illinois, 1932, 1936, 1940 (alternate), 1944 (alternate), 1948 (alternate)
  • John A. Sinnett, American politician, Delegate to Republican National Convention from Ohio, 1868
  • H. Brooks Sinnett, American politician, Candidate for West Virginia State House of Delegates from Roane County, 1954
  • Lawrence C. Sinnett (1888-1962), American seaman, Medal of Honor recipient for his role in the United States occupation of Veracruz
  • Thomas P. Sinnett, American Democratic Party politician, Delegate to Democratic National Convention from Illinois, 1932, 1936, 1940 (alternate), 1944 (alternate), 1948 (alternate) [3]
  • John A. Sinnett, American Republican politician, Delegate to Republican National Convention from Ohio, 1868 [3]
  • H. Brooks Sinnett, American Democratic Party politician, Candidate for West Virginia State House of Delegates from Roane County, 1954 [3]
  • Alfred Percy Sinnett (1840-1921), English author and theosophist


The Sinnett Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Sin not
Motto Translation: If not


  1. Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
  2. Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
  3. The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, November 19) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html


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