Whats in a name vs. Blood?

**BobsYourUncle** · 27th September 11, 07:51 PM

It's unanimous--you're in like Flynn--or MacLean--very good comments in this thread--family is family, and you are a MacLean--go back far enough and all you had to do to be a member of a clan was swear loyalty to the chief, so your desire to be a clan member seems enough, and finally, as always, Jock Scott provides the grounded view--don't take any of that too seriously, and enjoy, enjoy, enjoy! Cheers!

**Dale Seago** · 27th September 11, 08:19 PM

Originally Posted by Jock Scot

Well yes, but there are a few things to remember.

Excellent summation, Jock.

. . .In truth clan history is only really important to the Clan Chief, if he cares at all and to be fair most do, as he has the wellbeing of the Clan in the loosest sense, is in trust for his lifetime and one must not forget the most important thing of all, the Chief's primary concern, is the future of his his heirs. Every one else is really tagging along for the ride. That is fine if you are happy to do so.

That part really stood out to me, as it's a pretty exact parallel between a Scottish clan chief and the Soke of old (mostly pre-1860s) Japanese martial traditions.

**privypiper2002** · 27th September 11, 08:39 PM

Under your German heritage it works too.

"What do we have for a king now but a wee bit German Lairdy."

It's a reference to the House of Hanover I believe. After Charles lost his head.

**Father Bill** · 28th September 11, 03:58 AM

That's very encouraging to me - my mother's ancestors found their safe haven under the protection of Sinclair, Lord of the Orkneys (and other places) centuries back. That makes my thinking a lot more confident.

**GoodGirlGonePlaid** · 28th September 11, 09:48 AM

I'm not exactly a stickler for details, so any semi links I had to a particular tartan I went with.

So I may not be the best one to address the OP's original concern.

All family members on my dad's side, which would have any clan info have long since passed, so I don't need any family "clearance."

My paternal grandmother is Hamilton, so I got a Hamilton tartan mini (I also like to claim that this means I'm somehow related to the 10 dollar bill, the most handsome of all US currency).

My father is Williams, so Wiliams of Wales tartan for me.
"Innes" is really close to my married name, and I think it's pretty, so Innes modern red billie kilt for me.

Seriously, besides this forum, is anyone in California going to give me a hard time for not having a true claim to the tartan? I just get, "Hey cute skirt. Are you Irish?" *eyeroll* But I think only 1 out of 1000 locals know it's a tartan kilt and not a plaid skirt.

**macwilkin** · 28th September 11, 09:51 AM

Originally Posted by privypiper2002

Under your German heritage it works too.

"What do we have for a king now but a wee bit German Lairdy."

It's a reference to the House of Hanover I believe. After Charles lost his head.

[Slightly OT]: If you are referring to Charles I, who was beheaded on 30 January 1649, he was replaced not by a German, but by an Englishman named Oliver Cromwell. His son, James II, was replaced by his daughter Mary and his Dutch son-in-law, William. The "Germans" didn't come in until after their daughter, Anne, died.

Sorry for the pedantic post.

T.

**ForresterModern** · 28th September 11, 11:25 AM

Originally Posted by GoodGirlGonePlaid

I'm not exactly a stickler for details, so any semi links I had to a particular tartan I went with.

So I may not be the best one to address the OP's original concern.

All family members on my dad's side, which would have any clan info have long since passed, so I don't need any family "clearance."

My paternal grandmother is Hamilton, so I got a Hamilton tartan mini (I also like to claim that this means I'm somehow related to the 10 dollar bill, the most handsome of all US currency).

My father is Williams, so Wiliams of Wales tartan for me.
"Innes" is really close to my married name, and I think it's pretty, so Innes modern red billie kilt for me.

Seriously, besides this forum, is anyone in California going to give me a hard time for not having a true claim to the tartan? I just get, "Hey cute skirt. Are you Irish?" *eyeroll* But I think only 1 out of 1000 locals know it's a tartan kilt and not a plaid skirt.

GGGP

from the photo you posted in another thread I doubt many people will be looking at the tartan, if you get my drift.

**privypiper2002** · 30th September 11, 09:15 PM

No worries Cajunscot. Someone has to keep me honest

**xman** · 1st October 11, 08:45 AM

It is traditional to wear only one clan's tartans, whichever you choose to identify with. It is largely your own choice to identify with a clan. That said, you're free to wear MacLean if you like.

Interestingly, I was raised (though not formally adopted) by a member of the Anderson clan, but I wear MacDonald of Clanranald as my clan tartan. I could have gone with Anderson and likely will still wear it at some point.

**Gael Ridire** · 15th October 11, 11:51 PM

I read that several decades ago a "Herr Schmitt" immigrated from Germany to Canada. He was a zealot for things Scottish. He changed his surname from Schmitt to Maclean, and wrote to the Chief of Maclean of Duart to be adopted into the clan. He received a letter of recognition, and even though "John MacLean" spoke English with a German accent, there never was a more loyal clansman then "John (Schmitt) MacLean."

In your case, to make it official and to remove all doubt, do the same in writing to the Chief of Maclean for official recognition.