Septs of Clan Cunningham

Boyd

Surname Origin & Association: Boyd likely originates from the Gaelic nickname buidhe, meaning “yellow” or “fair-haired.” It may also derive from the Isle of Bute. Closely connected to Clan Cunningham through marriage and proximity.

Historical Context: The Boyd family of Kilmarnock allied with the Cunninghams through the 17th century, notably through marriage between William Boyd and Lady Jean Cunningham. Boyd is a recognized associated family of the clan.

Chancellor

Surname Origin & Association: Derived from the office of chancellor, from Latin cancellarius. Found in Lowland Scotland by the 15th century.

Historical Context: The Chancellor family were vassals and administrators in regions overlapping with Cunningham lands. Though not directly descended, their long-standing service and regional ties made them associated with the clan.

Coon (and Variant: Cooney)

Surname Origin & Association: Irish in origin, from Gaelic Ó Cuana (“descendant of Cuana”). Possibly associated with the Scottish Cunningham settlers in Ulster.

Historical Context: While not recorded in early Scottish records, Coon/Cooney became affiliated with Clan Cunningham through migration and regional alliance in Ulster and the Scottish diaspora.

Dunlop (and Variant: Dunlap)

Surname Origin & Association: Derived from lands of Dunlop in Ayrshire, within the district of Cunninghame.

Historical Context: The Dunlops held land in the Cunningham area and frequently aligned with the Cunningham family. Though armigerous, they are considered associated by geography and history.

Flack

Surname Origin & Association: Believed to be a variant of Affleck (from Auchinleck), later shortened or phonetically changed in Ulster.

Historical Context: Flack became common in Ulster, likely derived from Affleck settlers. Clan Cunningham recognizes Flack for its Scots-Irish connection and origin in Cunningham-adjacent families.

George

Surname Origin & Association: Patronymic from the given name George, of Greek origin. Common in Ayrshire towns during the 15th–16th centuries.

Historical Context: George families served as burgesses and town officials in Irvine, a key town in Cunningham lands. Their civic roles and proximity led to their inclusion as a sept.

Giffen

Surname Origin & Association: Local surname from the Barony of Giffen in the parish of Beith, Ayrshire.

Historical Context: Giffen residents historically served under the Montgomeries but also aligned with the Cunninghams. Their inclusion reflects land-based association with the clan.

Gilliland (and Variant: Gulliland)

Surname Origin & Association: Derived from a place called Gulliland near Dundonald in Ayrshire.

Historical Context: Families bearing this name lived in the Cunningham region. Some migrated to Ulster and carried the name overseas. Included due to geographic and social ties.

Gunion (and Variant: Gunnion)

Surname Origin & Association: From Gaelic MacGiolla Ghunnáin, meaning “son of the servant of Gunnán.”

Historical Context: Gunion families were located in Galloway and later associated with Cunningham through settlement in Cunningham territory and shared regional identity.

Hackney

Surname Origin & Association: English habitational surname from Hackney in Middlesex. Appears in Ayrshire records by the early 14th century.

Historical Context: An Adam de Hackney was granted lands in Ayr in 1316. His descendants became aligned with the Cunninghams through settlement and integration into Ayrshire society.

Hair (and Variants: Hare, Hairt)

Surname Origin & Association: Derived from Irish Ó hÍr or from the Scots word for a hare. Found in Renfrewshire and Ayrshire by the 14th century.

Historical Context: Members of the Hair family served as burgesses in Ayr and were active in Cunningham-held areas. Their proximity and likely allegiance led to sept status.

Hemphill

Surname Origin & Association: From the lands of Hemphill near Galston in Ayrshire. Likely means “hill where hemp grew.”

Historical Context: Hemphills appear in Cunningham areas like Stewarton in the 17th century. Their geographic location and service to local lords connect them to Clan Cunningham.

Paisley

Surname Origin & Association: Taken from the town of Paisley in Renfrewshire. The name possibly derives from Brittonic or Latin roots.

Historical Context: The Paisley family held lands in Renfrewshire and Lochwinnoch near Cunningham territory. Recognized as a sept due to longstanding regional ties and shared alliances.

Power (and Variant: Powers)

Surname Origin & Association: Norman in origin, derived from Old French poer, “from Picardy.” Brought to Scotland during the medieval period.

Historical Context: A 17th-century marriage between Anna Cunningham and Hugh Power led to the Power family’s inclusion as a Cunningham sept. Other Scottish Powers aligned by region or marriage.

Somercotes

Surname Origin & Association: Territorial name linked to Cardinal Robert de Somercotes, believed to be of the Cunningham line.

Historical Context: Robert de Cunningham de Somercotes was allegedly elected Pope but died before taking office. His legacy influenced the clan’s heraldry, leading to Somercotes being remembered as a symbolic sept.

Stair (and Variant: Stairs)

Surname Origin & Association: From the village and parish of Stair in Ayrshire.

Historical Context: Families from Stair, located near Cunningham strongholds, became aligned with the clan through regional loyalty. The name Stair appears in 16th–17th century records.

Starrett (and Variants: Sterrett, Stirrat)

Surname Origin & Association: From the lands of Stairaird (now Stirie) in Ayrshire.

Historical Context: The Starrett family was common in Dalry and other Cunningham areas. Their geographic origin and continued presence led to their recognition as a Cunningham sept.

Stirie (and Variant: Stirey)

Surname Origin & Association: Anglicized form of Stairaird, a place-name near Stair.

Historical Context: Families bearing this name shared origins with the Starretts and were associated with the Cunninghams due to location and feudal loyalty.

Winchester

Surname Origin & Association: From the city of Winchester in England. Brought to Scotland during the Wars of Independence.

Historical Context: A Thomas de Winchester is recorded in Ayrshire in 1296. The family settled in Cunningham territory and was accepted as a clan sept through integration.

Woodburn (and Variant: Woodbourne)

Surname Origin & Association: Local surname from Woodburn in Ayrshire.

Historical Context: The Woodburns lived in Cunningham-controlled territory and likely took their name from the land. Their inclusion as a sept reflects traditional loyalty to the clan.

References (APA)

Black, G. F. (1946). The Surnames of Scotland: Their Origin, Meaning and History. New York: New York Public Library.

Way, G. of Plean, & Squire, R. (1994). Collins Scottish Clan & Family Encyclopedia. Glasgow: HarperCollins.

Clan Cunningham Society International. (n.d.). Associated Names. Retrieved from https://www.clancunninghamintl.org

ScotClans. (n.d.). Clan Cunningham Profile. Retrieved from https://www.scotclans.com

Forebears.io. (n.d.). Surname Database. Retrieved from https://forebears.io