Clan Sempill

Clan Sempill
Motto	Keep Tryst
Profile
Region	Lowlands
District	Renfrewshire
Chief
The Rt. Hon. James William Stuart Whitmore Sempill
The 21st Lord Sempill
Seat	Craigievar Castle
Historic seat	Castle Semple

Clan Sempill is a Lowland Scottish clan.

The name Sempill has been known in Renfrewshire since the twelfth century but its origins are obscure. The suggestions that it is a corruption of 'St Paul' seems unlikely. It also seems an unlikely suggestion that the first person of the name had a reputation for being simple or humble.

In 1246 Robert de Sempill witnessed a charter to Paisley Abbey. Later as a chamberlain he also witnessed a charter of the Earl of Lennox.

During the Wars of Scottish Independence Robert de Sempill's two sons, Robert and Thomas, supported king Robert the Bruce and they were both rewarded for their services. The elder son received all of the lands around Largs in Ayrshire which had been confiscated from the Balliols. The younger son, Thomas, received a grant for half of the lands of Longniddry.

Prior to 1344 the lands of Eliotsoun, which became the territorial designation of the chief were acquired.

Sir Thomas Sempill fell fighting in support of King James III of Scotland at the Battle of Sauchieburn in June 1488. His only son, John Sempill, inherited the family estates. John was made Lord Sempill during the reign of King James IV of Scotland. In 1505 John founded the Collegiate church of Lochwinnoch. He also rebuilt the castle at the eastern end of the loch which he renamed Castle Sempill. He was killed fighting for the king at the Battle of Flodden in 1513. (See: John Sempill, 1st Lord Sempill).

John was succeeded by his son William who obtained a charter to the lordship with the assistance of the Regent Albany. William favored the betrothal of the child Mary, Queen of Scots to the son of Henry VIII of England.

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