Show ContentsSynnett History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Early Origins of the Synnett family

The surname Synnett 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 Synnett family

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

Synnett Spelling Variations

Church officials and medieval scribes spelled names as they sounded; therefore, single person, could have his name spelt many different ways during their lifetime. While investigating the origins of the name Synnett, many spelling variations were encountered, including: Sinnot, Sinnott, Sinnet, Sinnett, Sinot, Sinott and many more.

Early Notables of the Synnett family

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

Migration of the Synnett family

A great number of Irish families left their homeland in the late 18th century and throughout the 19th century, migrating to such far away lands as Australia and North America. The early settlers left after much planning and deliberation. They were generally well off but they desired a tract of land that they could farm solely for themselves. The great mass of immigrants to arrive on North American shores in the 1840s differed greatly from their predecessors because many of them were utterly destitute, selling all they had to gain a passage on a ship or having their way paid by a philanthropic society. These Irish people were trying to escape the aftermath of the Great Potato Famine: poverty, starvation, disease, and, for many, ultimately death. Those that arrived on North American shores were not warmly welcomed by the established population, but they were vital to the rapid development of the industry, agriculture, and infrastructure of the infant nations of the United States and what would become Canada. Early passenger and immigration lists reveal many Irish settlers bearing the name Synnett: Edward Sinnott, who was on record in Torbay, Newfoundland in 1774; Dennis Sinnott, who arrived in New York in 1789; Moses Sinnot, who came to Vermont in 1854.



The Synnett 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.


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