CLANS! Why Did Scotland Have a Clan System? (Clan Origins & Evolution)

CLANS! Why Did Scotland Have a Clan System? (Clan Origins & Evolution)

Why did Scotland have such a distinct clan system and how did it evolve? Furthermore, why is it that Scotland had such a prominent clan system yet England, just over the border, didn’t to any great degree?

The word "clan" itself means family or children in Gaelic, with clan chiefs themselves being almost as powerful as kings in their local area at various points in history. Clans bound people together through a sense of shared identity and ancestry, and this is still seen today, although in a far less formal way. To give us a rough sense of timelines, the clan system seems to emerge around in the 11th or 12th century (or perhaps earlier, but it probably became more formal around this time) and lasts in quite a prominent way until around the 18th century/19th century, with the Battle of Culloden and the Highland Clearances putting the nail in the clan coffin.

The clan system itself in Scotland was like its own little Game of Thrones through the centuries. Clan Chiefs were not that unlike kings at times, acting as the head of the community and making most of the important decisions. Their title was often passed down to a male heir, at least in later centuries. Clan chiefs also used marriages strategically at times, with a clan member marrying outside the clan for politically ends, such as forging an alliance with a neighbouring clan, not unlike how royalty operated down through the centuries. Although many people with the same clan surname were related, it was also common to adopt a surname when land was taken over to show solidarity and ensure protection with the clan.

A nobility emerged around the Clan Chief, with members of the clan essentially paying taxes or some form of duty. People would farm and fight for their clan, and bards would tell stories of their clan and its origins. Clans often claimed descent from either kings or Irish mythology. Clan MacNeil for instance claims to be descended from the legendary High King of Ireland, Niall of the Nine Hostages. Conflict and border disputes with rival clans was also very common, often over cattle. Clans were often distinguished by the badges in their bonnets. The MacDonalds wore a sprig of heather, whereas the Macintoshes wore holly.

Now we know a little about the clan system, why did develop in Scotland so notably?

Sources:

Clans and Tartans - Clans & tartans : George Way : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive

#scotland #clans #history

Chapters:
0:00 Intro
0:14 The Clan System
2:29 The Appeal
3:20 Clans vs Tribes (Reason 1)
4:33 Reason 2
5:25 Reason 3
7:45 Reason 4
9:04 Not Plain Sailing
9:25 Support

Scottish Clans - Scottish Clan System History - Highland Clans Clan Scotland

[celtichistorydecoded]

What clan do you belong to? I'm a MacMillan/Campbell

[ScottHolland-wwih]

Descending from Campbell, Sinclair, McGregor, Murray, Stuart and many more ....Great video brother

[TheSlider]

I'm Ron Morrison 76yo Of Clan Morrison, My Fathers father was from Harris, my Dad spoke Gaelic, my mother was a Barton from Glasgow I live in Canada !

[gallowglass]

Ireland had a clan system too although not as feudal as the scottish system.

[OldestLady]

I'm decended from clan Morrison and clan Gordon. There are few others from marriage but these two were the most recent in my line. My maternal grandmother was a Morrison and my paternal g grandmother was a Gordon. I love your channel, thank you for all the work you do.

[kimholcomb]

I'm Ross, Hunter, Smith, Taylor, walker, Moore, Little, Kerr, and Cochran.

[kawh]

Thank you for explaining this. I have wondered about this history but the information on it was lacking. You answered the questions I didn't know I had!

[Clans_Dynasties]

Nice short video on this subject keep it up as always my friend

[LabhriunnMaciain]

I'm a MacIain of Glencoe but we lived in Shetland until 1963 when our family moved to America; I was 13.

[shirleynoble]

I am a MacBrayne. This identity was greatly emphasized when I was a child. The name is very uncommon and in some cases the Mac was dropped when people emigrated. The MacBraynes are sometimes considered a very minor sept of MacNaughton but I have more often seen them associated with the MacDonalds. The name appears to have originated on Islay in the late 15th century. This make more sense to me because after my grandparents emigrated to Canada, they retained close ties to the MacDonalds who also came to Vancouver B.C. at the end of the 19th century and my eldest aunt married one. Her husband died when their eldest son was 16. He took it upon himself to help see that his mother and 5 siblings were provided for and assumed a role in the family very like that of a clan chief. His siblings gave him a great deal of respect and it was an interesting dynamic to observe. Visitors to the Hebrides and the Highlands will have seen the name of MacBrayne because, although it is now owned by the Scottish government, the ferry system is still called Caledonian MacBrayne after its founder.

[justa.american]

My Grandad on my Dad's side was a MacLean of Duart. My Grandma on my Mom's side was an Armstrong. My middle name is MacPhail. My Grandad on my Mom's side was Deutch-German. Which probably explains why I want to invade Poland whenever I have a German meal 😂. Several years ago, I got the chance to visit Scotland and register at the Castle on the Isle of Mull. I love the whole of Scotland and its history. As for the food, it is great. I fell in love with Black Pudding, which was recommended by a Scottish friend. We have a similar dish here in the Southern part of the states, but it is a bit different. I appreciate your education on the Clans and Scotland. My children are learning about their roots to the Scots, thanks to their old Dad. I hope to be able to support your work once my medical situation improves. Until then, I'll do what I can. Keep up the good work! 🫶👍

[LonersGuide]

I'm not an official "member" of any, but descended from Burns, Boyd, MacDonald, Murray, among others. Burns has been a confounding one concerning its origins. I have a lot of "cousins" from the Scottish Borders, but my Y-DNA now seems to point directly to the O'Bjorn/O'Beirnes "Burns" of Roscommon, Connacht, Ireland. So at least Boyd, MacDonald, and Murray among others.

[zpy-nqwv]

MY FAMILY CLANS ARE CAMPBELL, SCOTT, HUNTER, EDMONDSON, KIDD, PATTON AND WRIGHT. LOVE YOUR VIDEO SIR !

[aikidragonpiper]

I have a Border Reiver Clan name Armstrong but highlanders mixed in on my mother’s side like MacEntire and Campbells.

[journeyoflovelight]

Frasier. is my Maiden name. Now, I have friends in the Caledonian Club in San Francisco, Ca.

[sandynewman]

With the Clearances, the Clan system was immigrated to North America and Australia. I can only speak on the US, but here, the clan system remained, although modified from the 18th century right up to the current time. Primarily in the Southeast, where family and kin are generally still located within a short drive. Two Scottish cultures evolved completely independent of each other, one in post Culloden Scotland, and the other in colonial America. Aye, Donald/Kincaid

[LibertysetsquareJack]

O'Brien clan of Thomond; my family comes from County Clare originally.

[bw]

Wallace, Campbell, Sinclair, Lamont, Huntly and Aberdeen Districts, Gordon, Grant, MacDonald of Isles, and MacGregor are my family Clans.

[Jadyra]

I'm still investigating but by looking at the map you showed, it would appear like the Leslie clan, however my grandmother on my fathers side came from Scotland and her last name was Goldie. I know her family was settled near Aberdeenshire.

[redbeardsbirds]

My mom is a Hamilton…I love their clan tartan pattern so much that I wear a hat and shirt in that pattern…it defines me and makes me proud.
My dad’s surname is Spencer and that’s English Norman I think.
According to what I’ve read..clan Hamilton and the Spencer family ( I assume they weren’t a clan since they were English ) …didn’t like each other very much …and ironically one Hamilton man had murdered a Spencer man in a dispute and had to run for his life…and he went into hiding by pretending to be a lumberjack felling an oak tree ! 🪓🌳lol
They never caught him ! lol
Every clan has a story or legend…so interesting!

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