Clans and Families

The basis of the clan is a family, a principal family together with its offshoots and branches, which are sometimes referred to as Septs.


In Scotland, a clan came to mean a group of families occupying a definite locality--a particular glen, for example, or an island. These families shared, or claimed to share, their descent from a common ancestor. The head of the group was the living "Representer" of this ancestor and as such he was chief of the clan. To him the clansmen owed loyalty and respect. They accepted his jurisdiction over their daily affairs and responded to his summons in time of battle. The chief, in turn, was the patriarch, the head and leader of the clan. In return for their personal devotion to him, he had an obligation to protect his followers and to give help to any of them who were in distress.

Clan MacNachtan Sept Names