Since I have been called as a family history consultant for our ward, I have spent some time going over the family history material available on LDS.org. One particular video caught my interest. It is called Clan McCloud (https://www.lds.org/media-library/video/2011-08-05-clan-mccloud?lang=eng) It is a story of how a family's interest in their heritage was peaked when the son suddenly announce he wanted to learn how the play the great highlands bagpipes, and the effect that connection to their ancestors had on the rest of the family.
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| Flag of Scotland |
CLANS:
I thought a clan was a Scottish family. Well, it is more than that. A clan is a group of people united by actual or perceived kinship. In Scotland they have an official structure recognized by the Court of the Lord Lyon which regulates Scottish heraldry and coats of arms. Clans generally identify with geographical areas, and historically clan members were often not even related to the clan chief whose name the clan bears. Clan members could be tenants of the chief's lands or anyone who offers allegiance to that clan chief. They often adopted the clan name as their family surname.
Today, clans with a recognized clan chief actually have a legal identity in Scotland. Clans without a chief are referred as armigerous clans which is to say they are real clans but do not have a special legal class in Scottish law.
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| Clan map from Wikipedia |
CLANSMEN or CLANSWOMEN:
According to the Lyon Court website, they are "the Chief's relatives, and all members of the extended family called the "Clan" whether bearing the Clan surname or that of one of his septs (allied families), that is all those who profess allegiance the that Chief and wish to demonstrate their association with the clan."
TARTAN:
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| This man's outfit will set you back over $1100 |
The association of tartan patterns with specific clans is a relatively recent invented tradition, and is the product of Victorian romanticism about Scotland. Patterns of plaid were originally associated with regions rather than specific clans and were based more on what materials were available to weavers in that region to produce natural dyes. But if a particular clan dominated a region, that pattern would naturally become associated with that clan. The naming and registration of tartans began in 1815. Having said that, tartans have been associated with specific clans for over 200 years.
Today there is an official tartan authority that registers tartan patterns not only for clans, but for families, corporations, and other organizations. Several US states have officially registered tartans. Clan tartans carry no legal restrictions and anyone can wear or use any clan tartan that they like. There are restrictions on corporate tartans set up as trademarks. Tartan scarves, tams, ties, kilts and other items are readily available - some on Amazon.com!
CREST BADGES:
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| Fictional clan crest badge |
The use of a official crest or coat of arms is restricted to one person at a time. So the crest for the Munro family belongs only to the chief of the clan Hector W. Munro. Use by anyone else is considered identity theft and is punishable under Scottish law.
However, clansmen and clanswomen may wear their Chiefs Crest encircled with a strap and buckle bearing the Chief's Motto or Slogan. The strap and buckle is the sign of the clansman, and he demonstrates his membership of his Chief's clan by wearing his Chief's Crest within it.
There are no official lists of those are members of a clan, and badges can be readily purchased and worn by anyone unless a clan chief specifically rejects their allegiance. Badges are usually made of silver or pewter.
So here are some family tartans and badges I have found.
JoAnne
She is from the South with a strong Scots/Irish background
Clan Munro
JoAnne is the direct descendent of Robert Munro, 14th Baron of Foulis (d. 1547), Chief of Clan Munro through her 4th great-grandmother, Ann Monroe. Ann was a cousin to President James Monroe.
Crest: An eagle perching Proper
Motto: DREAD GOD
Chief: Hector W. Munro of Foulis
Seat: Foulis Castle, Ross-shire
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| Munro Crest Badge and Tartan |
Clan Abercrombie
JoAnne is 5th grand-daughter of Elizabeth AbercrombieCrest: Falcon rising belled Proper
Motto: PETIT ALTA (Latin - He seeks high deeds)
Chief: none
Seat: Fife
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| Abercrombie Crest Badge and Tartan |
Clan MacKenzie
JoAnne is 13th grand-daughter of Catherine MacKenzie (wife of 13th Baron Hector Munro)Crest: A mount in flames Proper
Motto: LUCEO NON URO (Latin: I shine not burn) I like this motto
Chief: John Ruaridh Grant MacKenzie, 5th Earl of Cromartle
Seat: Castle Leod, Ross-shire
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| MacKenzie Crest Badge and Tartan |
Clan Gordon
JoAnne is the 15th grand-daughter of Janet Gordon (spouse of Thomas, 3rd Lord Lovat)
Crest: Issuant from a crest coronet Or a stag's head (affrontee) Proper attired with ten tines Or.
Motto: BYDAND (Latin: Remaining, abiding, steadfast)
Chief: Granville Charles Gomer Gordon, 13th Marquess of Huntly
Seat: Aboyne Castle, Aberdeenshire
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| Gordon Crest Badge and Tartan |
Vanessa
My daughter-in-law is also from the South
I can only see her Rayfield line in Familysearch
Clan McArthur
Vanessa is the 4th great grand-daughter of Elizabeth McArter. McArter is a variation on the name McArthur
Crest: Two laurel branches in orle Proper
Motto: FIDE ET OPERA (Latin - By fidelity and labour)
Chief: John Alexander MacArthur of that Ilk
Seat: Castle Kennedy House, Wigtownshire
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| MacArthur Crest Badge and Tartan |
Gary
Clan Duncan
My 7th great grand-mother was Alice Ann Duncan
Crest: On waves of the sea Argent s lymphad proper under sail Or flagged Gules the sail charged with a clarion Gules
Motto: SAVOUR THE MOMENT
Chief: none
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| Duncan Crest Badge and Tartan |
Clan Galloway
My 2nd great grandmother was Rosanna Galloway
Crest: A mound, bespread with the rays of the sun Proper embraced between two corn-ears in saltire, and ensigned with a crossiet Or
Motto: HIGHER
Chief: None
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| Clan Galloway Crest Badge and Tartan |
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