Septs of Clan Sinclair

Budge

Surname Origin & Association: Budge is found in Caithness and Orkney, likely of Norse or nickname origin. It became tied to Sinclair through landholding.

Historical Context: The Budge family received Sinclair land charters in the late 14th century. They remained loyal tenants and allies in Caithness for generations.

Caird

Surname Origin & Association: Caird comes from Gaelic ceàrd, meaning “craftsman.” It is linguistically linked to Sinclair’s Gaelic byname Mac na Ceàrda.

Historical Context: Caird families served as tradesmen and smiths under Sinclair lords in Caithness. The name is listed as a sept due to this occupational loyalty.

Clouston

Surname Origin & Association: Clouston is of Norse origin, from a farmstead in Stenness, Orkney.

Historical Context: Under the Sinclair Earls of Orkney, the Cloustons held local authority and land. Their role in the Sinclair-controlled islands led to their inclusion as a sept.

Clyne

Surname Origin & Association: A territorial surname from Clyne in Sutherland, possibly from Gaelic cluain.

Historical Context: Clyne families settled in Sinclair-held Caithness. Their proximity and tenant status aligned them with Clan Sinclair.

Groat

Surname Origin & Association: Groat may be Norse in origin or from the Dutch de Groot. The name was established in Caithness.

Historical Context: John Groat received land from the Sinclair Earls at Duncansby in the 15th century. The Groats served the clan and operated the northern ferry.

Laird

Surname Origin & Association: Originally a Scots term for a landowner, it became a surname in Sinclair lands.

Historical Context: Minor landholders with the name Laird held land under Sinclair authority and became affiliated through feudal allegiance.

Linklater

Surname Origin & Association: From Orkney, Linklater is of Norse origin, from Lynglettr, meaning “heather slope.”

Historical Context: Orcadian families bearing this name served as Sinclair vassals during their rule of Orkney. It remains a recognized sept.

Lyall

Surname Origin & Association: Likely from Norse Liulfr, meaning “wolf.” Common in the north.

Historical Context: Lyalls of Caithness intermarried with Sinclair families. The name is acknowledged as a sept by both historical use and clan tradition.

Mason

Surname Origin & Association: A Norman-French occupational name for stoneworkers. The Sinclairs are closely tied to masons through their architecture.

Historical Context: The Sinclairs employed masons for Rosslyn Chapel. Mason is recognized as a symbolic and historic sept.

Purdie

Surname Origin & Association: Derived from Old French pour Dieu or from diminutives of Peter. Found in the Lowlands and Ulster.

Historical Context: Purdies were tenants and allies of Sinclairs in the south and in Ulster. Their shared settlements led to sept status.

Snoddy

Surname Origin & Association: From Older Scots snod, meaning “tidy.” Used as a nickname turned surname.

Historical Context: Snoddy families lived under Sinclair rule in Caithness and Ulster. Their military and tenant roles earned them recognition.

Peace

Surname Origin & Association: Likely from Middle English pais, meaning “peace.” Established early in Orkney.

Historical Context: Peace families held land in Sinclair territories. The name became a sept due to enduring loyalty and regional presence.

Wares

Surname Origin & Association: From the lands of Wares in Caithness. Possibly linked to the Groat family.

Historical Context: Wares was Sinclair-held territory. Those adopting the place-name became Sinclair dependents and later recognized as a sept.

References (APA Style)

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

Clan Sinclair Association of Canada. (n.d.). Associated Family Names. https://www.clansinclair.ca

Scots Kith & Kin. (1970). Edinburgh: Clan House.

ScotClans. (n.d.). Clan Sinclair Profile. https://www.scotclans.com

House of Names. (n.d.). Various Sinclair Sept Histories. https://www.houseofnames.com