The noble family of De Synot or Sinnott came into England with William de Conqueror from Normandy, Anno Domini 1066, with the commission of Standard Bearer, and soon after the Battle of Hastings obtained considerable possessions in Counties of Lincoln and Somerset, which they held peaceable possession until the wars between the houses of York and Lancaster.
Sir Walter Sinnott, a son of that noble family of Sinnott of Somersetshire, came over to Ireland with Richard de Clare, commonly called Strongbow, in the year 1170, in the reign of Henry the Second, with the commission of Captain or Knight, and being a gallant officer the said Sir Henry, for his good services, granted the said Sir Walter large estate territory in the County of Wexford, in the Kingdom of Ireland, containing several thousand acres adjoining the town and Harbour of Wexford and river Slaney, extending about eight miles long by about five miles width, now called Sinnottsland or Sinnottstown, after said family, which they held peaceable possession until the reign of King Charles the First, when Ireland was invaded by the Usurper Cromwell, who dispossessed them of their lands and castles, which they had held for five hundred years.
Colonel David Sinnott was then Governor of the Town of Wexford and bravely opposed Cromwell whilst a man stood by his side, but at length, being overpowered by superior numbers, was obliged to surrender, with loss of the town, also his own property, and two of his brothers who nobly fought and fell in the siege, they being betrayed by John De Stafford, who was Governor of one of the Castles outside the Town, and who opened the gates for Cromwell´s Troops to march in.
Ballybrenan Castle built by Sir Richard Sinnott. Sir James Sinnott, brother of Sir Richard, married Miss Lambert of Longstown castle; said castle and lands fell into the possession of said Sir James Sinnott. Artramount Castle built by the Sinnotts. Ballyfarnock Castle built by the Sinnotts. Garrylough Castle built by the Sinnotts.
The name Sinnott has been in Ireland since the thirteenth century and is taken from old English words meaning ‘victory-bold’. Settlers of this name arrived from England and settled in County Wexford in the South-East of the country. It is here that the majority of descendants can still be found today.