Gay, Susan and others:
I have puzzled over the rooster for some time as well. The reasons
given on the Sinclair site and on this list are:
- that in Normandy, church steeples commonly have roosters atop, so
this is a reference to the Norman origins of the name,
- that the french Chanticler is a close approximation of the name, Saint Clair,
- that, the rooster heralds the light of day, or "holy light" - Sanctus Claro"
- that the rooster is a symbol of courage,
- and, I believe it was "Sinclair" in France that said that Richard
de St. Clair was awarded "the rooster" for his courage following
1066.
The Scandinavian good luck/ Kings of France explanation, supplied by
Susan, is certainly plausible.
Now, of all the surnames with Norman origins, why should the rooster
refer to Sinclairs especially? Sinclairs are certainly not unique in
having courage. Would the central figure of the crest derive from a
play on words?
Heralding the "holy light" is certainly a reference with substance
enough to merit a central place on the crest, and as such, an analogy
to St. John, the Baptist, makes some sense.
I am aware that St. John heralded "that bright morning star".
Gay, if your suggestion is correct, what "light" did the Sinclairs
herald through "their Templar ties"? Freemasonry? Esoteric
knowledge? Other??
Searching for light!
Ian A. Sinclair
Ontario, Can.
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