The word clan in Scotland means more than the immediate members of a particular family. It is a large group, bound together by a direct, or indirect, link to a common ancestor. Clan means “children” in Scotland, and many who belong to a clan like to believe that they are children of that clan, and will remain so, whether they live in Scotland or in some other part of the world. 

Clans, or tribal communities were an integral part of Scottish history. After the Roman occupation, Scotland essentially consisted of several races of people, who later developed into clans, which were a means of uniting for security, and survival. The Picts, were a group of tribes who lived in the eastern and northern part of Scotland, now called the Highlands. They occupied the area dating back to before the Roman invasion. The Britons, came with the English and lived in the southeast, and the Attacotti in the area of Argyll, originated in the 6th century, and later became the Scots, who eventually became the people of Scotland.

While the beginnings of the clan were undoubtedly members of one large family, it became common for other families living on or near a chief’s land to align themselves with his clan. Some families even went so far as to take the chief’s surname. Clan membership goes through the surname, so if a child takes his father’s surname, he belongs to that clan. It is more common today for the child to join the mother’s clan.

By 1587, powerful clans were recognized with a roll of the clans, and various cllans traced their respective lineages to the famous, and the powerful. Within the clan, positions of power were established. The chief is the formal head of the clan, and traditionally led the clan into battle. He was also a political leader. Today, the title is one of respect and social status rather than power and authority. Clan chieftains are leaders of the various branches of a particular clan. In the clan, there are also commanders, who were military leaders, gentlemen, who claimed a blood connection to the clan chief, and clansmen, who were the workers in times of peace, and the warriors in times of war.

Sovereigns in early times, had no authority to control the clans, who, left to their own devises, more often than not initiated raids on neighboring clans. War between the clans was a fact of life. Known and recognized by their various tartans, and protected by their ancestoral castles and battlements, individual clans were were easy to distinguish. The decoration in the clan member’s bonnet, indicated his loyalties. The Grants wore fir in their caps, the McDonalds a sprig of heather, and the McIntoshes, holly.

Today, people around the world are still proud to be associated with a particular Scottish clan, and the loyalties to these extended families are remain strong.

http://www.scotclans.com/scottish_history/articles/clan_system.html