Joining A Clan?

[Alan H]

Clan MacNaughton has a similar article, where "broken men" (meaning men without a clan) can apply for membership.

way2fractious tells me that Clan MacLaren is open to all Scouting leaders who have passed certain qualification...wood badge training, perhaps?

[Bugbear]

Clans are one thing. Clan associations are another.

Clans were the way that society had come to be in Highland Scotland. They were headed by a chief to whom personal alliegiance was given by the clansmen, the members of the clan. The cheif decided whether to accept that alliegiance, and thus who was or was not a part of the clan.

The clans as viable, living entities are not longer extant, beginning in the mid to late 1700's.

Clan associations were organized by people whose ancestors belonged to clans, for the most part. They have different requirements for membership. Some limit membership to those who have the surname(s) of the clan. Some accept anyone. Some have different forms of membership for those who have provable descent from clan members, have the same or simlar surname(s), who are related by marriage, or who are not related at all. Most accept anyone who pays the membership fees.

All Right, all right, I'll go back in the cage, sorry.

There are still clan chiefs of many of the clans who do decide things like which tartans are the accepted clan tartans. So, I slightly disagree with gilmore, but mostly out of intuition.

[robthehiker]

Clan MacNaughton has a similar article, where "broken men" (meaning men without a clan) can apply for membership.

"Broken men". What an interesting phrase! I googled it and found this:

According to http://www.clanlindsayusa.org/

"Clans consisted generally of "native men" and "broken men". The "native men" were those related to the Chief and to each other by blood ties. This blood relationship is an important fundamental in the clan system and was a strong element in the patriarchal system of government, all being bound together in a common interest. The clan also contained septs or branches composed of clansmen who had become powerful or prominent in some way, and founded families almost as important as that of the Chief. These "broken men" were individuals or groups who had sought and obtained the protection of the clan.
--Source: The Clans and Tartans of Scotland by Robert Bain"

Now interestingly enough, there is a list of "acceptable spellings" for clan Lindsay. So for example "Lyndezay" is acceptable and "Lindley" is not. Fascinating.

There is no information on whether or how "broken men" could apply.

[george7]

My mom always referred to "broken men" as those who would cook, clean, and leave the toilet seat down. Maybe preparation of meals has something to do with it.

[robthehiker]

More googling..

How to Join The Clan Lamont Society . "If you desire to join the Clan Lamont Society of North America because your family name is associated with Clan Lamont, or you simply have an interest in our ancient Royal Clan; all you need to do is print the application,fill it out, and submit it with the required fees."

[Bugbear]

I'm going to be torn into tiny little pieces, but could clans also translate into something modern? I don't know... like a company or something. There are plenty of tartans for different organizations and groups.

Perhaps the idea of the clan has just changed and expanded...

[Nighthawk]

FYI: Lowlanders traditionally wanted nothing to do with the clan system. It's only in recent years that we see Lowland and Border families adopting clan trappings.

Regards,

Todd

I know. I also have been told by more than one Scot that the idea of modern clan loyalty is rediculous. I am not all that big into it myself, it was more a point of curiosity.

[Mair of the Tribe of Mar]

I think the thing to remember, as well, is that the Lowlanders, mostly Norman families supplanted to control the rebellious north, did behave much like the highland clans, they were just known as families instead. Gordon, for example, Clan Gordon is also known as House of Gordon specifically for that reason. But they did behave exactly the same. Maybe with some french dazzle though!;) Also, the Tribe of Mar is not a clan because Tribe denotes it ancient Pictish Origin! Potato, Patato!

Oh, and join the Tribe of Mar, it's your ring finger! You belong to us now, not that wife of yours!

[Tommy Hunt]

You can join my clan. Yay, now we have TWO members.

[Carolina Kiltman]

I believe he got the answer he was looking for. I think the next step would be to research the Clans and find one that best matches his interests and qualities. Then find out what the individual clan organization requirements are.

probably the best advice so far. Most of the clans have web-pages, so go check them out and find out which ones will accept members who do not have either the surname(s) or can prove a blood link. It was originally stated as something of a joke, but is true: "There are three ways of becoming a clan member: By birth, by marriage, or by assimilation or adoption. (And the more Scotch you drink, the faster the assimilation")

Good luck. There is a wonderful feeling of "family" there.