Sporran History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Scotland

Etymology of Sporran

What does the name Sporran mean?

The Hebrides islands and Western coastal mountains of Scotland were once part of the ancient kingdom of Dalriada. The name Sporran was born there, as a nickname for a person who carried a sporran, which is the purse worn with the kilt in Highland Scottish dress. The Gaelic form of the surname is Mac-an-sporain, which means son of the purse.

Early Origins of the Sporran family

The surname Sporran was first found in on the Isle of Iona, where they held a family seat from early times and their first records appeared on the early census rolls taken by the early Kings of Scotland to determine the rate of taxation of their subjects.

Early History of the Sporran family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Sporran research. Another 92 words (7 lines of text) covering the year 1745 is included under the topic Early Sporran History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Sporran Spelling Variations

Translation in medieval times was an undeveloped science and was often carried out without due care. For this reason, many early Scottish names appeared radically altered when written in English. The spelling variations of Sporran include MacSporran, MacSparran and others.

Early Notables of the Sporran family

MacSporrans of Iona

Migration of the Sporran family

Many of the ancestors of Dalriadan families who arrived in North America still live in communities along the east coast of Canada and the United States. In the American War of Independence many of the original settlers traveled north to Canada as United Empire Loyalists. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries the ancestors of many Scots began recovering their collective national heritage through Clan societies, highland games, and other patriotic events. Research into the origins of individual families in North America revealed records of the immigration of a number of people bearing the name Sporran or a variant listed above: Archibald McSparran, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1773; Archibald and Malcolm McSparran settled in New York State in 1833.

The Sporran 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: Per mare per terras
Motto Translation: By sea and by land.