A romantic depiction of a clan chieftain illustrated by R. R. McIan, from James Logan's The Clans of the Scottish Highlands, 1845.

Scottish clans are families recognised by law in Scotland. The head of one of these clans (or families) is either a clan chief or a clan chieftain. Chiefs of Scottish clans must be granted the undifferenced arms of their name by the Lord Lyon King of Arms. The Lord Lyon King of Arms is the judge of the Court of the Lord Lyon, the heraldic authority in Scotland. Scottish clans without a recognised chief have no standing under Scots Law.

The Scottish Gaelic word clann means children.^[1] In early times, and possibly even today, clan members believed themselves to descend from a common ancestor, the founder of the clan. From its perceived founder a clan takes its name. The clan chief is the representer of this founder, and represents the clan as well. In the Scottish clan system, the term chief denotes a greater chief than that of a chieftain. In consequence, branch chiefs (heads of branches of a clan) are designated chieftains.^[2]

A clan chief is the only one who may possess the undifferenced arms of their clan name. Elements of the chiefly arms are often found in the crest badge worn, usually on a bonnet, by members of Scottish clans. These crest badges contain, in most cases, the chief's heraldic crest, and heraldic motto (or sometimes the chief's secondary motto or slogan). Clan chiefs are entitled to wear three eagle feathers behind their crest badge. Clan Chieftains are entitled to two eagle feathers. A clan member is not entitled to any feathers unless he or she has been granted arms by the Lord Lyon King of Arms, in which case they are an armiger and can wear a crest badge containing elements from their own arms.

See also

• Scottish clan

Notes

References

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