History of the Wilson Sept

The Wilson Sept

Basic History	The Wilson Sept is said by some to have taken its name from Will Gunn, the son of its most famous Chief, George Gunn, who held the title of ‘Crowner’ of Caithness, around 1464. However, there are records of significant Wilson's from slightly earlier (see note below). Initially appearing in Berwickshire, in a minor conflict with their Chief (though probably not the Crowner himself), the family moved to the southeast coast of Scotland. They then moved south into England when the border clans were disbanded in 1603. Major branches of the family were established at Eshton Hall, in Yorkshire, Yorkshire, Melton, and Bankhall, Penrith in Cumberland, Sneaton Castle in Yorkshire, Casterton Hall in Westmoreland, Forest Hall in Northumberland and Rivington Hall in Lancashire. Although they were predominantly based in northern England, in Scotland there were branches in Fraserburgh, Fingach, Kelton, Glenderston, Glasgow and Edinburgh.
Well-known Wilsons	In those days it wasn't uncommon for a person to be born with one spelling of his name, married with another, and for yet another to appear on his headstone. Amongst the spellings recorded for our family were: Wilson, Willson, Wilsone, and Wilson.
	Notable from early times was Will (the Crowner) Gunn. John Wulson was a merchant in the service of Sir John of Montgomery in 1405. Michael Wilsoun was Burgess of Irvin in 1418. John Wilson was Burgess of Berwick in 1467. Thomas Wolsoun was tenant of Neubotel Abbey in 1563. James Wilson (c1760-1820) - weaver and radical. James Wilson (nnnn - nnnn) - signatory to the Declaration of Independence. Alexander Wilson (1766 - 1813) - ornithologist John Wilson (1785 - 1854) - author George Washington Wilson (1823 - 1893) - photographer Charles TR Wilson (1869 - 1959) - Nobel physicist Charles Wilson (nnnn - nnnn) - Victorian architect Thomas Woodrow Wilson (1856 - 1924) - American President