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Clan Sinclair (Tartans, Crest) and The Story Behind

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Sinclair

Gaelic Name: Mac na Ceardadh

Clan Crest: A cock, Proper, armed and beaked Or

Clan Motto: Commit thy work to God

Origin of Name: Place name, French de Sancto Claro

Clan Badge: Whin

Lands: Midlothian, Caithness, Orkney

Clan Chief: The Rt. Hon. The Earl of Caithness

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Sinclair Clan History

The birthplace of this great northern clan is generally thought to be St. Clare in Pont d'Eveque in Normandy.

During the twelfth century, the family received a grant from the Barony of Roslin in Midlothian. The family obtained the Earldom of Orkney through marriage and, in the following century, land in Caithness. The earldom or kingdom of Orkney was later resigned by James III's order.

At this time, the chief of clan Sinclair divided the family lands, giving the lands of Caithness to his elder son and the lands of Roslin to his younger son. Around this time, the spelling "Sinclair" became common, though the Earls of Roslin still prefer the older spelling "St. Clare."

The Earls of Caithness had a long history of feuds with their neighbors and within their own family. As a result, the 4th Earl imprisoned his son in Girnigoe Castle, where he died of starvation.

To pay debts, many of the Sinclair lands in Caithness had to be sold. Rights to estates were contested within the family, culminating in a battle on the banks of Altimarlech, near Wick, between the Sinclairs and the Campbells. According to legend, "so many Sinclairs were killed that the Campbells were able to cross the water without getting their feet wet" as a result of this battle.

Sinclair Places & People

Locations of the Sinclair Clan:

Rosslyn Castle is located in Midlothian. The castle is mostly in ruins, but some areas are still occupied.

Girnigoe Castle is located in Caithness.

Ravenscraig Castle, near Kirkcaldy, Fife. Ravenscraig Castle was passed to the Sinclairs after they resigned the Earldom of Orkney in the 15th century.

People from the Sinclair Clan:

Henry Sinclair (born around 1360)

Henry Sinclair, a well-known explorer, is credited with discovering Greenland. He is also known to have sailed as far as the Americas, landing most likely in Nova Scotia and Massachusetts.

Colonel George Sinclair (c. 1600)

In Sweden, Col. George Sinclair worked as a mercenary soldier. While marching a contingent of men through Gudbrandsal, Norway, he was killed by local peasants. He was the subject of a well-known Norwegian ballad and Grieg's dance tune.

Sir John Sinclair (1754-1835)

Sir John Sinclair was one of the most advanced scientific agricultural pioneers in British history. He had a strong influence on William Pitt and persuaded him to establish the First Board of Agriculture, of which he was president.

Sinclair Tartans

Sinclair the Elder

Sinclair Goes Archaeological

Modern Sinclair Hunting

Sinclair Contemporary

Sinclair Crest & Coats of Arms

Crest of the Sinclair Clan:

A cock, Proper, armed and beaked Or, is depicted on the crest.

Coats of Arms of Sinclair:

A word about Coats of Arms:

A coat of arms is granted to an individual under Scottish heraldic law (with the exception of civic or corporate arms). A 'family coat of arms' does not exist. With the exceptions noted above, the arms depicted below are personal arms. Only the person who has been granted these weapons has the right to use them.