Something I don't know about after all these years...

[Tobus]

If, as you say, there is a strong oral tradition in your family that points to a specific clan-- I'd follow that tradition.

That's what we've always done, and I'm comfortable with it. But it always stays at the back of my mind that it could be the other clan we originally came from. Or heck, the name is also associated with County Antrim, in northern Ireland! With no way to find out for sure, the only thing we can do is go with oral tradition.

[figheadair]

Can anyone tell me how it is determined that you are part of a major clan via your last name, even if its not that clan's name. Like my last name has its own clan, however, I'm entitled to wear the Lamont and MacMillan tartans. How is that determined. Does this belong in tartan&heraldry ?

The question should be to which clan or tartan is my name associated. There is no sure thing as 'entitled'. That pre-supposes that other are not 'entitled' to a paraticular see but that is fraught with historical difficulties.