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Show ContentsSinclair History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
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Family Crest Download (JPG) Heritage Series - 600 DPI

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The Sinclair 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 Sinclair family

The surname Sinclair 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 Sinclair family

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

Sinclair 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 Sinclair family (pre 1700)

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 Sinclair Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Sinclair World Ranking

In the United States, the name Sinclair is the 1,107th most popular surname with an estimated 27,357 people with that name. [7] However, in Canada, the name Sinclair is ranked the 292nd most popular surname with an estimated 14,950 people with that name. [8] And in Australia, the name Sinclair is the 232nd popular surname with an estimated 14,658 people with that name. [9] New Zealand ranks Sinclair as 84th with 4,428 people. [10] The United Kingdom ranks Sinclair as 290th with 20,970 people. [11]

Ireland Migration of the Sinclair family to Ireland

Some of the Sinclair 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.

United States Sinclair migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Sinclair Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
  • Angus Sinclair, who landed in Maryland in 1674 [12]
  • Duncan Sinclair, who arrived in New Jersey in 1685 [12]
Sinclair Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • William and James Sinclair, who settled in Virginia in 1716
  • Patrick Sinclair, who landed in South Carolina in 1716 [12]
  • Peggy Sinclair, who arrived in Brunswick, North Carolina in 1767 [12]
  • Anthony Sinclair, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1773 [12]
  • Alex Sinclair, aged 36, who landed in North Carolina in 1774 [12]
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Sinclair Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Hugh Sinclair, who landed in New York in 1800 [12]
  • Daniel Sinclair, who landed in New York in 1801 [12]
  • Archibald Sinclair, who arrived in Allegany (Allegheny) County, Pennsylvania in 1803 [12]
  • John Sinclair, who landed in America in 1805 [12]
  • Joseph Sinclair, aged 42, who landed in New York in 1812 [12]
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Canada Sinclair migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Sinclair Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century
  • Samuel Sinclair, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1750
  • Mr. George Sinclair U.E. who settled in Belle Vue, Beaver Harbour, Charlotte County, New Brunswick c. 1783 [13]
  • Mr. Robert Sinclair U.E. who settled in St. David, Charlotte County, New Brunswick c. 1784 [13]
Sinclair Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century
  • Mary Sinclair, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1839
  • Mary Sinclair, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1842
  • Mr. Edward Sinclair, aged 55 who immigrated to Canada, arriving at the Grosse Isle Quarantine Station in Quebec aboard the ship "Scotland" departing from the port of Cork, Ireland but died on Grosse Isle in July 1847 [14]
  • Mr. Andrew Sinclair, aged 17 who was emigrating through Grosse Isle Quarantine Station, Quebec aboard the ship "Scotland" departing 13th April 1847 from Cork, Ireland; the ship arrived on 8th June 1847 but he died on board [15]

Australia Sinclair migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Sinclair Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • Mr. James Sinclair, (b. 1782), aged 39, Scottish sailor from Glasgow who was convicted in Middlesex, England for 7 years for larceny, transported aboard the "Claudine" on 20th May 1821, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) [16]
  • Mr. James Sinclair, Scottish convict who was convicted in Edinburgh, Scotland for life, transported aboard the "Champion" on 24th May 1827, arriving in New South Wales, Australia [17]
  • Mr. William Sinclair, Scottish convict who was convicted in Glasgow, Scotland for 7 years, transported aboard the "Burrell" on 22nd July 1830, arriving in New South Wales [18]
  • Mr. John Sinclair, English convict who was convicted in Cumbria (Cumberland), England for life, transported aboard the "Fairlie" on 14th October 1833, arriving in New South Wales, Australia [19]
  • Marion Sinclair, Scottish convict from Perth, who was transported aboard the "Arab" on December 14, 1835, settling in Van Diemen's Land, Australia [20]
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

New Zealand Sinclair migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Sinclair Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
  • Duncan Sinclair, who landed in Wellington, New Zealand in 1839 aboard the ship Success
  • Hugh Sinclair, who landed in Wellington, New Zealand in 1839 aboard the ship Success
  • John Sinclair, who landed in Wellington, New Zealand in 1839 aboard the ship Success
  • Alexander Sinclair, who landed in Auckland, New Zealand in 1840
  • Dudley Sinclair, who landed in Wellington, Auckland, New Zealand in 1840 aboard the ship Oriental
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Sinclair (post 1700) +

  • Utpon Sinclair (1878-1968), American novelist
  • Harry Ford Sinclair (1876-1956), American oil industrialist, founder of Sinclair Oil
  • E. L. Sinclair, American politician, Mayor of Rochester, Minnesota, 1900-02 [21]
  • Donald Sinclair (b. 1899), American politician, Member of Minnesota State Senate 67th District, 1959 [21]
  • Dean L. Sinclair, American politician, Independent Candidate for U.S. Senator from South Dakota, 1990 [21]
  • Charles E. Sinclair, American politician, Justice of Utah Territorial Supreme Court, 1857-60 [21]
  • Charles A. Sinclair, American politician, Member of New Hampshire State Senate, 1889-92, 1895-96; Member of New Hampshire State House of Representatives, 1893 [21]
  • C. F. Sinclair, American Democratic Party politician, Delegate to Democratic National Convention from Virginia, 1876 [21]
  • Bartlett Sinclair, American Republican politician, Idaho State Auditor, 1899-1901 [21]
  • Anna M. Sinclair, American Democratic Party politician, Alternate Delegate to Democratic National Convention from New York, 1920 [21]
  • ... (Another 60 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
HMS Repulse
  • Mr. Norman William Sinclair, British Supply assistant, who sailed into battle on the HMS Repulse (1941) and died in the sinking [22]
HMS Royal Oak
  • William Sinclair (1902-1939), British Blacksmith 1st Class with the Royal Navy aboard the HMS Royal Oak (1939) when she was torpedoed by U-47 and sunk; he died in the sinking [23]
  • George William Sinclair (1917-1939), British Stoker 1st Class with the Royal Navy aboard the HMS Royal Oak (1939) when she was torpedoed by U-47 and sunk; he died in the sinking [23]

Suggested Readings for the name Sinclair +

  • The Sinclair Family of Virginia by Jefferson Sinclair Selden.
  • They Came to Find the Dream in Adams, New York: Ancestors of the Sinclairs by David A. Sinclair.
  1. 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
  2. Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
  3. 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)
  4. 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)
  5. Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
  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.
  7. "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
  8. "Surnames Meanings, Origins & Distribution Maps - Forebears." Forebears, https://forebears.io/surnames
  9. "Most Common Last Names in Australia." Forebears, https://forebears.io/australia/surnames
  10. "Most Common Last Names in New Zealand." Forebears, https://forebears.io/new-zealand/surnames
  11. "UK surname ranking." UK Surname map, https://www.surnamemap.eu/unitedkingdom/surnames_ranking.php?p=10
  12. 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)
  13. Rubincam, Milton. The Old United Empire Loyalists List. Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc, 1976. (Originally published as; United Empire Loyalists. The Centennial of the Settlement of Upper Canada. Rose Publishing Company, 1885.) ISBN 0-8063-0331-X
  14. Charbonneau, André, and Doris Drolet-Dubé. A Register of Deceased Persons at Sea and on Grosse Île in 1847. The Minister of Canadian Heritage, 1997. ISBN: 0-660-198/1-1997E (p. 55)
  15. Charbonneau, André, and Doris Drolet-Dubé. A Register of Deceased Persons at Sea and on Grosse Île in 1847. The Minister of Canadian Heritage, 1997. ISBN: 0-660-198/1-1997E (p. 95)
  16. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 17th February 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/claudine
  17. Convict Records of Australia. Retreived 18th January 2021 from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/champion
  18. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 5th November 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/burrell
  19. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 21st September 2022). https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/fairlie
  20. State Library of Queensland. (Retrieved 2015, January 8) Arab voyage to Van Diemen's Land, Australia in 1835 with 132 passengers. Retrieved from http://www.convictrecords.com.au/ships/arab/1835
  21. The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, November 19) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html
  22. HMS Repulse Crew members. (Retrieved 2014, April 9) . Retrieved from http://www.forcez-survivors.org.uk/biographies/listrepulsecrew.html
  23. Ships hit by U-boats crew list HMS Royal Oak (08) - (Retrieved 2018 February, 9th) - retrieved from https://uboat.net/allies/merchants/crews/ship68.html
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