What is a Clan?
& 
Which Tartan should I wear?

The clan system is closely bound up with Scottish heraldry. The best definition of a clan provided by a heraldic authority is con-tained in Nisbet's "System of Heraldry" published in 1722: ‘A social group consisting of an aggregate of distinct erected families actually descended, or accepting themselves as descen-dants of a common ancestor, and which has been received by the Sovereign through its Supreme Officer of Honour, the Lord Lyon, as an honourable community whereof all of the members on establishing right to, or receiving fresh grants of, personal hereditary nobility will be awarded arms as determinate or indeterminate cadets both as may be of the chief family of the clan.’

A clan is therefore a commun-ity which is both distinguished by heraldry and recognised by the Sovereign. At the head
of this honourable community is the chief.
He is the only person entitled to display the undiffer-enced shield of Arms, that is without any marks of dependency upon any other noble house.

Chiefship is a title of honour and dignity within the nobility of Scotland. Any claimant to such a title must establish, to the satisfaction of the Lord Lyon, who represents the Sovereign, that he or she is entitled to the undifferenced arms of the community over which they seek to preside. It is the determining of chiefship which is among the Lyon Court's central work.

Many of the cases which have come before the Lyon Court in the last 50 years have related to the chiefships of clans. There are now about 140 clans that have chiefs recog-nised by the Lord Lyon.

A clan or family which has a recognised chief or head con-fers noble status on the clan or family which gives it a legally recognised status and a corporate identity. A family or name group which has no recognised chief has no official  position in Scottish law.

    © Lord Lyon for more info on:

Proper use of Corporate Arms
Proper wearing of Crest Badges
Proper use of Scottish Heraldic Flags
Proper wearing of Sashes by 
      Ladies in evening dress
proper use of Personal Arms
Information for Genealogy,   
      Heraldry and Tartans

   "Clans, Families and Septs"
         by Sir Crispin Agnew 
               of Lochnaw Bt.

SO, YOU WANT TO START A LOCAL CLAN GROUP...

You have been to a Scottish festival or Highland Games and no one was there representing your family/clan. Now, you think you'd like to start a local group for your family or clan.  What now?

If you are not sure which family or clan your surname is connected to, check with the state Scottish association. You may be the first to express interest in local groups for your family. Consulting books such as "Tartan For Me" may place you with a clan or District.

First, write or call the national president of your clan society. A national association for District families also exists. How do you find a clan address & number? State Scottish society leaders may have it. Check a library or bookstore for "Highlander" or "Scottish Country Life", both magazines. "The Scottish Banner" a newspaper for Scots not living in Scotland, may help. All list many clans’ national officers and information.

Now ask the national people for the name, address of who in your area represents the family. If no one does, ask to be the repre-sentative, commissioner or convener for your state. Have your pedigree sheets ready to send, establishing your clan connections. The national folks will give you a membership application, and you're on your way. Fees to join are low, usually $20 to $30 with a smaller annual renewal fee. A clan society newsletter or magazine is often part of joining.

You should also be sent clan history, information, etc. Consult Scottish Clan and Family Encyclopedia by GeorgeWay and Romilly Squire for more history. Tell the state Scottish association when a clan representative status is accepted by the national clan society. The Association will tell you of upcoming events & add you to their clans roster. It will greatly help you to join the state Scottish association and get on their email list. They can give you support and direction as you build you family's group. Ask a lot of questions. Volunteer to help. Many clans banded together accomplish more than any single family group.

See if anyone has represented your family here before. Find their number and address, then meet with them. When at festivals, keep a logbook of names, addresses, phone and email of those interested in the family. If no national society exists, consider starting one.

Costs of Scottish attire can seem imposing. It is not essential. Most start with clan T-shirts, adding items as resources allow. Some clothing can be home made (shirts, dresses, sporrans, caps bonnets, sgian dubhs, etc.). Check on patterns at fabric stores or online. Get to know other clans' members, network with them for tips, sources, help and concerns. 

Most of all, enjoy the camaraderie of other Scots, take pride in your family's heritage, and share it with others!

** Thanks to Bob Gallimore, Clan Morrison, for taking the time to compose this article. Contact at Utah Scottish Association: Lois Ann Garlitz 
(801)763-0663, 367-9255, loisann@burgoyne.com. 
Also at: clans@utahscots.org

There are literally hundreds of names associated with Scotland, the Scottish Districts, relatively few are officially recognized as clans.  However, the majority of names which are not organized clans are, in most cases, associated with a major clan or district in Scotland.

There are many reasons for a name to have changed from an official clan name.  For example, some clan names, such  as MacGregor, was outlawed and forbidden.  Others, such as  Duncan were altered with the changes in leadership, region or political associations.  Even some ancient names, MacAlpine  for example, were never officially organized as a standing clan.

This list provided here is by no means comprehensive.  For one of the most complete references 
you will want to consult: Scottish Clan & Family Encyclopedia by George Way and Romilly Squire, or Tartan For Me! by Philip D. Smith.

Some good sources regarding Clans, Organizations, Tartans and more: