Clan Sempill is a Scottish clan of the Scottish Lowlands. History Origins of the 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. Wars of Scottish Independence 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. 15th and 16th centuries 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. William's son, Robert Sempill, was constable of the king's Douglas Castle and was taken prisoner at the Battle of Pinkie Cleugh in 1547. Robert was sometimes called the Great Lord Sempill and supported the Queen Regent, Mary of Guise who was the widow of James V of Scotland. Robert's castle was attacked and seized for his opposition to the Scottish Reformation. He was a faithful supporter of Queen Mary until the death of Lord Darnley and he afterwards joined those who promoted Mary's son as King James VI. He fought against the queen at the