Sian History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Scotland
Ireland
England

The Sian surname was a Norman habitation name, derived from when families lived at St. Clai-sur-Elle in La Manche and in St-Clair-L'Evêque in Calvados, Normandy where the site of the seignorial castle is still discernible. 1

Early Origins of the Sian family

The surname Sian was first found in the barony of Roslyn, Midlothian where King Alexander I of Scotland granted a parcel of land to William de Sancto Claro in 1162. They were originally from St Clare, Pont d'Eveque, Normandy, and are descended from Walderness Compte de Saint Clare who arrived in England with William the Conqueror.

"Wace mentions the Sire de St. Clair at Hastings. This was Richard de St. Clair who held lands, Suffolk, 1086, 2" 3 The Domesday Book also notes that Britel de St. Clair, brother of the aforementioned Richard de St. Clair held lands in Somerset. Britel's son William de St. Clair held lands in Dorset in 1130.

Despite these early records in England, the name is more often than not associated with Scotland. For it is there that the name excelled both in numbers and power. "The first Sinclairs in Scotland appear to have been vassals of the great territorial magnates, de Morville. Their first possession in Scotland was the barony of Roslin, near Edinburgh, which they held in the reign of David I (1124-1153). The earliest bearers of the name appear in charters connected with the abbeys of Dryburgh and Newbattle, the Hospital of Soltre (now Soutra in Midlothian), the church of Glasgow, etc." 4

Sir Henry Sinclair fought with King Robert the Bruce at Bannockburn, and helped assure the independence of the Scottish Kingdom. Sir Henry's son married Isabel, the heiress of the earldom of Orkney, and their son became the senior Earl of Norway. The Clan achieved great status having married into both Norwegian and Scottish royalty.

Back in England, the name prospered as well as The Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 confirms: John de Sanet Claro in Suffolk; Robert de Sancto Claro in Somerset; and William de Sancto Claro in Kent. 5

Over in Somerset, from the first listing above, Richard Seinteclere and William Seyncler were both listed in Kirby's Quest. 6

Early History of the Sian family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Sian research. Another 189 words (14 lines of text) covering the years 1330, 1345, 1400, 1455, 1470, 1566, 1576, 1582, 1607, 1610, 1643, 1676, 1683, 1696, 1750 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Sian History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Sian Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Sinclair, Saint Clare, Sancto Claro, Singular, Sinclaire, Seincler, Sanclar, Sincklair, Sinclear, Sincler and many more.

Early Notables of the Sian family

Notable among the family at this time was Henry I Sinclair, Earl of Orkney, Baron of Roslin (c. 1345-1400), Scottish and a Norwegian nobleman; Prince of Orkney, 3rd Earl of Orkney; and George Sinclair or Sinclar (d. 1696), a Scottish mathematician, engineer and demonologist, the first Professor of Mathematics, Glasgow, probably a native of East Lothian. Other notables include: George Sinclair fourth Earl of Caithness (d. 1582), second, but eldest surviving, son of John, third Earl of Caithness; and George Sinclair, fifth Earl...
Another 82 words (6 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Sian Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Sian family to Ireland

Some of the Sian family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 59 words (4 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Sian family

Some of the first settlers of this family name or some of its variants were: Jean Sinclear who settled in Virginia in 1655; and Abraham Sincler in 1656; William and James Sinclair settled in Virginia in 1716; the Sinclairs also settled in North Carolina, Pennsylvania, New York, Georgia, Massachusetts.

Contemporary Notables of the name Sian (post 1700) +

Sian Heder (b. 1977), American filmmaker, best known for writing and directing the coming-of-age film CODA (2021), for which she won the Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay and the BAFTA Award for Best Adapted Screenplay
Mrs. Sian Ellis Williams M.V.O., British recipient of Member of the Royal Victorian Order on 17th June 2017, for services to the Lieutenancy of Gwynedd
Prof. Sian Ellard O.B.E., British Consultant Clinical Scientist for Royal Devon and Exeter NHS Foundation Trust and Professor Genomic Medicine for the University of Exeter, was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire on 8th June 2018, for services to Patient Care 7
Dame Sian Seerpoohi Elias GNZM PC QC (b. 1949), New Zealand jurist, 12th Chief Justice of New Zealand (1999-), Administrator of the Government in 2016
Sian Samantha "Syan" Blake (1972-2015), British actress, best known for playing Frankie Pierre on the British television show EastEnders (1996-1997)
Sian Welby (b. 1986), English television presenter, best known for her work with Channel 5, ITV and Channel 4
Sian Elizabeth Ansley Ruck (b. 1983), New Zealand international cricketer
Sian Brice (b. 1969), British Olympic triathlete

Citations +

Cleveland, Dutchess of The Battle Abbey Roll with some Account of the Norman Lineages. London: John Murray, Abermarle Street, 1889. Print. Volume 3 of 3
Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
The Norman People and Their Existing Descendants in the British Dominions and the United States Of America. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing, 1975. Print. (ISBN 0-8063-0636-X)
Black, George F., The Surnames of Scotland Their Origin, Meaning and History. New York: New York Public Library, 1946. Print. (ISBN 0-87104-172-3)
Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
Dickinson, F.H., Kirby's Quest for Somerset of 16th of Edward the 3rd London: Harrison and Sons, Printers in Ordinary to Her Majesty, St, Martin's Lane, 1889. Print.
"Birthday and New Year Honours Lists (1940 to 2019)." Issue 62507, 28 December 2018 | London Gazette, The Gazette, Dec. 2018, www.thegazette.co.uk/honours-lists