Clans, Scots, Tartans & History.
RMBlack
some will be interested, if it comes out OK. Its a good background to
what clans are / were all about and how you fit in. I stole this write up
from this
Web Site.
http://scottishculture.about.com/culture/cultureeurope/scottishculture/libra
ry/weekly/aa031799.htm
Regards
The Glenallan
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What is the Origin of the Word "Clan"?
The word "clan" is derived from the Scots Gaelic word "clann" meaning the
children, offspring or descendants. Not all surnames in Scotland or even in
the Highlands became "clans" (indeed surnames only started to come into use
in the 12th century). There is no hard and fast rule but a "clan" is usually
of a sufficient size to have established a territory and is likely to have a
clan chief. (See also "septs" below).
How Did the Wider "Clan" Evolve?
Within the Scottish Highlands, in the 12th and 13th centuries the concept of
"clan" grew beyond immediate family to cover an extended network of people
who felt that they had loyalties to a particular clan chief. Sometimes the
extension of the clan territory, and therefore the clan members, was
achieved by conquest or by alliances or marriage. Eventually, as the a
Scottish monarchy became established and exercised control, the allocation
of clan lands would be granted, or at least authorised, by the king. The
clan chief had duties in relation to clan members, which included providing
help and support (including the allocation of smaller parcels of land and
property) and, in the absence of any other legal framework, resolution of
disputes and exercising justice. The clan chief could also demand that clan
members join him either in defending clan lands or on raids on adjoining
territory to extend clan lands, steal cattle or provisions - or in revenge
for an earlier attack by another clan. While the "election" of a chief could
and did happen (the eldest son was not automatically adopted - the selection
was down to who could best lead a fighting clan) male succession eventually
became the norm (although in more recent times a clan chief can be male or
female). A notable feature of the clan system was that the clan chief was
not put on a pedestal and "looked up to" as a superior individual. English
visitors to the area, more used to the idea of landed gentry, nobility and
subservience were often surprised by the close relationship between the
chief and his people. The clan system, as it had operated for hundreds of
years, was essentially destroyed after the Jacobite Uprising in 1745/46 when
many clans supported the claim of Prince Charles Edward Stewart to the
throne of the (by then) United Kingdom (but see the question below - "Is the
Clan System Still Alive?")
What is a "Sept"?
Smaller families who did not have the status of a the larger clans would
often obtain the protection of their more powerful neighbours, but without
becoming fully absorbed. In some cases they may have been dispossessed from
their original territory and been given shelter by the larger clan chief.
They retained their own names and some degree of independence but became a
"sept" or branch of the larger clan.
Is the Clan System Still Alive?
The concepts of the clan system which brought them into being and which
caused them to prosper, were gradually eroded. As noted above, the power of
the chief was reduced as the monarch established his authority (sometimes by
having to use force against particular clans or alliances of clans). The
major upheaval was the post-Jacobite period, when the Duke of Cumberland
carried out what would be called "ethnic cleansing" today. But the nature of
the clan system was also evolving - the need to defend or the opportunity to
attack clan territory was reduced and the movement of people around the
country was growing. The relationship between the chief and his people was
also changing as favoured chiefs were granted titles and sought to increase
their own land ownership and wealth. Nevertheless, the notion of "belonging"
is strong and to this day there are clan societies who keep members in touch
with one another and clan gatherings on traditional clan territory, usually
with a clan chief in attendance. And in the traditional areas where a clan
originated, there is still likely to be a higher than usual incidence of
that surname in the population.
Whereabouts in Scotland Does My Clan Come From?
Many clans are associated with a specific area or areas of Scotland. There
is a 227kb Clan Map which shows many of these. Do remember, however, that
there has always been movement of individuals and families.
Did All Clans Originate in the Highlands?
A number of Norwegian Vikings came to settle in Scotland, particularly in
the western isles and in the far north of Scotland. They became assimilated
into the Scottish landscape but originally clans such as, for example,
Macleod (Leod was a son of Olaf the Black, a Norse king), McIver (Ivar was a
Norse personal name) and MacDonald were descended from Vikings. And a number
of Norman and Flemish nobles were granted land in the Highlands in the 14th
century, resulting in the establishment of, for example, the Camerons,
Frasers, Chisholms, Menzies and Grants. Of course, within a few generations
they were as much a part of the Highland scene as the clans who had been
there for centuries before.
Are There Clans in the Borders and Central Scotland?
Strictly speaking, the clan system was unique to the Highlands. But try
telling a Douglas from the Scottish Borders or a Wallace from
Ayrshire/Renfrewshire that he or she does not belong to a "clan"! And if the
wider meaning of "clan" as a member of an extended family is taken, then it
becomes even more legitimate to use the term to apply to family names in all
parts of Scotland just as other symbols of the Highlands (kilts, tartan,
bagpipes) have similarly been adopted across Scotland.
Do I Have a Scottish Clan?
There is no definitive, authorative list of all the clans. But there are a
number of Web sites which make a stout effort at assembling as complete a
list as they can. Have a look at Electric Scotland and Gathering of the
Clans or Sgian Dhu (which has a particularly good list of septs). Remember,
of course, that over the generations mis-spellings can creep in, especially
in earlier days. For an even wider review of just about all the surnames
used in Scotland, whether clans or not, then you need to go to one of the
authorative books on the subject. There is a paperback Scottish Surnames and
Families by Donald Whyte and The Surnames of Scotland by George F Black is
comprehensive (over 800 pages), without making too big a dent in your bank
balance. If you prefer the electronic approach, then there is a CD-Rom The
Clans and Tartans of Scotland
Where Can I Find Out About My Clan on the Web?
On the Web, there are many official and unofficial sites which provide
information, history and, in some cases, a clan society which you can join.
There is a (growing) list of these in the Clan Links page of this Scottish
Culture section of this About.com site.
My Name is Smith - Do I Have a Clan?
According to the General Register Office of Scotland Smith is the most
common surname in Scotland (due to the occupation of blacksmith being so
frequent in the past). Nowadays, the name Smith is regarded as a sept of
both the MacPherson and MacIntosh clans. So take your pick!
My Name is Derived From a Trade or Profession. Do I Have a Clan?
Abbot, Clerk, Constable, Skinner and Stalker are some examples of a number
of Scottish names related to occupations which have become septs or branches
of other clans.
What is the Difference Between "Mac" and "Mc" and "M'"?
Not a lot! "Mac" is from the Gaelic word for "son of". Over the centuries it
has been written as Mac or Mc or even M' - the last version is more common
in Ireland. Many Scots emigrated to Ireland at various points in history,
hence the large number of Scottish sounding names there, particularly in
Ulster, although of course the equivalent "son of" in Irish Gaelic has come
through too. There are also variations and permutations on the use, or
otherwise, of a capital letter after the "Mac" or "Mc".
My G-G-G-Grandfather Was a Scot - Can I Join His Clan?
By the time you get to Great-great-great-grandfather, the genetic
inheritance is indeed getting a bit thin. But "belonging" to a clan is not
about the percentage of your blood but about an emotional bond. So if you
feel Scottish and you have a Scottish ancestor, however remote, welcome to
the Scottish family!
Father a Campbell, Mother a MacDonald. Which Clan Do I Belong To?
The old-fashioned patriarchal system applies here so you are definitely a
Campbell. But you still have a good MacDonald connection and will no doubt
get a good welcome from that clan too!
Who Appoints the Clan Chief?
These days, the chieftainship is normally inherited from the previous chief.
Where there is a clear-cut inheritance (eldest son, for example) it is
straightforward but where a line dies out because of a chief leaving no
children, a bit of genealogical research may be required. This can result in
disputes which can be resolved by the Lord Lyon King at Arms, who is
responsible for heraldic issues and coats of arms in Scotland.
Where Did Tartans Come From?
Using a long length of cloth as a garment is not unique to Scotland and was
in use from medieval times but the belted plaid ("plaid" in Gaelic means
"blanket") or "feileadh mor", the great kilt became common around the 16th
century. There is a technique to getting from a long strip of cloth, several
yards long, to a wearable garment and there is a Web site which explains How
to Wear the Great Kilt". It was (and is) a versatile garment which kept the
wearer warm in winter, allowed freedom of movement and could act as a
blanket at night. The striped design of the kilt became part of the weaving
process for the material but although different weavers in specific
districts no doubt used special patterns, initially there was no clan
identification involved. The plethora of different brightly coloured tartans
associated with the various clans and septs is a relatively modern
development. While such differentiation occured before the visit of King
George IV to Scotland in 1822, Sir Walter Scott who organised the event, is
often given the credit (or blame) for the explosive growth in identifying
clan tartans. But the use of identifying tartans by army regiments in the
late 18th century and the number of Border weavers, anxious to increase the
market for their products, no doubt played a part. There are also
conflicting theories on how and when the great kilt became the "feileadh
beg" or little kilt, which does not have the folds of cloth on the upper
body of its bigger brother. This is the form of kilt normally worn today.
One suggestion (often disputed) is that it was invented by an Englishman who
was concerned about the folds of cloth getting tangled in machinery in an
iron smelter in Lochaber. You can read more on this subject at the History
of Tartan and History of the Kilt Web sites while Edinburgh University has a
Scotland: Dress and Tartans page. And if you want to make a kilt yourself
then Making of a Kilt has detailed instructions and diagrams.
Can a Clan Have More Than One Tartan?
Different varieties of tartan have been developed over the years. In some
cases "Hunting" colours which were more muted as camouflage for hill-walking
(and, indeed, for hunting and shooting). "Dress" setts (or designs) had
brighter colours, often with more white to be more "showy". There are also
"Ancient" and "Modern" tartans, the latter being made from more modern (and
brighter) aniline dyes which were longer lasting. There is a Web page which
goes into the Varieties of Tartan.
Do I Have a Tartan?
The Scottish Tartan Society maintains a list of all the registered tartans
in the world. Other sites such as Guide to Scottish Tartans and House of
Tartan have extensive lists and illustrations too.
My Name is Derived From a Scottish Town. Do I Have a Tartan?
There are now tartans realting to many cities and towns and even districts
of Scotland. So even if your surname (or an ancestor's surname) does not
indicate a connection with a tartan you may still be able to find an
appropriate one for you. And more and more companies and organisations are
registering a design unique to them - the Scottish Parliament tartan was a
recent addition.
Can I Wear a Kilt?
Just as it would not be appropriate for anyone with no connections with, say
the Mohawk tribe of North America to wear an Indian head-dress, you really
should have some legitimate connection with Scotland to wear a kilt (though
no-one will throw you in the dungeons at Edinburgh Castle if you ignore that
advice). But although a kilt is a most flexible garment (it can be worn as
formal dress when meeting royalty or out tramping in the hills or to a
football match) do respect some basic principles - the most important being
that the length should reach to the knee-cap (there is nothing worse than a
kilt worn by a man which is too long!). There is some useful advice on this
at thes Authentic History of the Kilt Web site which also gives some
pointers on ladies' highland attire.
Ed & Joyce Thomas
Thank you so much for this bit of information. I'm filing it for future
information.
Did I understand that Scot Clans have septs? Someone, on here, recently
insisted that only Ireland had septs.
Tiss