The Origin of the Pringle (De Hoppringhill) Name

Origin of The Pringle Name          
According to the detailed Records of the Pringles,  published by Alexander Pringle in 1933, the surname  Hoppringill, or Pringle, dates from the reign of Alexander III of Scotland (1249-86) and is one of the oldest names of the Scottish Border region. It is a placename derived from a locale in the Parish of Stow on the right side of Gala Water, about ten  miles North of Galashiels. Hoppringill lies about one half mile up from  the bank of the river on the Southern slopes of a ridge separating the  valleys of the rivers Armet and Todhole (now named Armet Water and Toddle Burn).

This ridge, with its level crest, abuts  at its Western extremity on the Gala in a remarkably rounded knob some  300ft above the level of the river, which winds around its base in a  semi-circle. It is this ring-like boss which no doubt gives the place  its name of Hoppringhill, as it is occasionally written in older records.

The first syllable is the name Hope, Hopp, Op orUp, derived from the Old Norse Hop - a haven, denoting a  small enclosed valley branching off a larger one. The other syllables include ring (or rink ), and hill. As such names are always descriptive, Hoppringill means simply the small enclosed valley of the ring, or round  hill.

The full name of Hoppringill was in use for 300 years. The last recorded usage in its full form is by a Chief of the Clan whose will, dated 1737,is in the name of John Hoppringle of that Ilk. Around  1590, however, Pringill, which had appeared rarely before, begins to become the dominant form,  until around 1650, when it gave way to Pringle. This  change closely follows similar changes in the spelling of words like  Temple and Single, derived from Tempill and Singill. The final syllable was never actually pronounced gill.

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Notes by James Bruce Pringle (who is the second son of the second son of the eighth baronet of Stichill, and first cousin to the tenth baronet of Stichill. He can be contacted via E-mail: jpaltd (at) gotadsl (dot) co (dot) uk.)

Many early genealogists got the origins of the family name wrong and one hundred and fifty years later these errors continue to this day. I believe it is vital to demolish these errors, once and for all.

The first error relates to the name being derived from pelerin or pilgrim. The next relates to the Hop being a prefix meaning 'son of'. Another, is the name Pyngle being just one form of the spelling of Hoppringle. Finally, the worst (in my view) that the 'Pyngles of Whitsome' were the progenitors of the Hoppringles of Smailholm. All absolute rubbish! There was never any connection between the Hoppringills and the Pyngles.

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Are the Pringles a clan?      
Being from the lowlands, many people ask if the Pringles are really a clan. But yes, according to an act passed of the Scottish Parliament in 1587. Which was 'for the quieting and keeping in obedience of the inhabitants of the Borders, Highlands and  Isles,' and contained a roll of 'the Clans that have Captains, Chiefs and Chieftains... as well on the Borders as the Highlands.' This proves that so long ago as the sixteenth century Border families were described as  clans, and one of the most important of these families was the Pringles.

Pringle of that Ilk (i.e. Pringle of Pringle/Hoppringle of Hoppringle)
 The Hoppringles of that ilk, afterwards the Pringles of Torsonce, on Gala Water, were the Chiefs of the clan and the senior branch of the family. Their male line failed with the death of Torsonce in 1738. His only daughter, Margaret, having married Gilbert Pringle, one of the Pringles of Stitchell, carried the estates into that family. John Pringle of Lees then became heir male, but his family is also is extinct. (Burke's  Landed Gentry, Supp. P.262)

 Map of Hoppringle Hill (Multimap.com)

Hoppringle, an old  baronial fortalice in Stow parish, Edinburghshire, on the right bank  of Gala Water, opposite Crookston, 1½ mile NNW of Fountainhall station. It is now reduced to slender remains, yet shows evidence of  having been a strong and important place; and it commands an  extensive view. It was the original seat of the Hoppringle or Pringle  family.”Ord. Sur., sh. 25, 1865.

Hoppringle is now a privately owned Farm, here are some pictures of it: