CHIEFS
Chiefs
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A Clan Chief is that individual recognized by the ancient Scottish clan to be their leader. In the modern-day world, a clan or family society usually recognizes as its honorary leader an individual who is the Chief of the Name and Arms of a specific surname. However, a Chief of the Name and Arms may not necessarily be a Clan chief. Likewise, a Clan Chief may not be designated a Chief of the Name and Arms.
In Scotland, all coats of arms are granted by the Court of the Lord Lyon. This role was established by the Scottish Parliament in 1592 to manage all heraldry. This was hundreds of years after the clans dominated Scotland. As a government agency, the Court does not involve itself with internal clan affairs and still does not engage in the matters of modern-day societies. However, the Court does determine who has the copyright to a specific heraldic device. The Lord Lyon may also appoint a "commander" when a hereditary chief cannot be identified.
This is a comprehensive list all all known Chiefs of the Name and Arms and Clan Chiefs or Heads of Families as recognized by clan and family societies. About three-quarters of all Chiefs of the Names and Arms are dues-paying members of the Standing Council of Scottish Chiefs (SCSC) which are indicated below.
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Agnew
Sir Crispin Agnew of Lochnaw, 11th Baronet
SCSC Member:
YES
Clan Chief or Head of Family:
Recognized by:
Allardice
Richard Christopher Barclay Allardice of Allardice
SCSC Member:
NO
Clan Chief or Head of Family:
Recognized by:
Anderson
Hope Vere Anderson, Baron of Bannockburn
YES
SCSC Member:
NO
Clan Chief or Head of Family:
Clan Anderson Society
Recognized by:
Anstruther
Toby Anstruther of that Ilk
SCSC Member:
YES
Clan Chief or Head of Family:
Recognized by:
Arbuthnott
Keith Arbuthnott 17th Viscount of Arbuthnott
SCSC Member:
NO
Clan Chief or Head of Family:
Recognized by:
Arthur
John MacArthur of that Ilk
YES
SCSC Member:
YES
Clan Chief or Head of Family:
Clan Arthur
Recognized by:
Baird
Richard Holman Baird of Rickarton, Ury and Lochwood
YES
SCSC Member:
NO
Clan Chief or Head of Family:
Clan Baird Society Worldwide
Recognized by:
Commander
Bannerman
Sir David Gordon Bannerman of Elsick, 15th Baronet
SCSC Member:
YES
Clan Chief or Head of Family:
Recognized by:
Barclay
Peter Charles Barclay of Towie Barclay and of that Ilk
YES
SCSC Member:
YES
Clan Chief or Head of Family:
Clan Barclay International
Recognized by:
Borthwick
John Hugh Borthwick, 24th Lord Borthwick
SCSC Member:
YES
Clan Chief or Head of Family:
Recognized by:
Boyd
Robin Jordan Boyd 8th Baron Kilmarnock
YES
SCSC Member:
NO
Clan Chief or Head of Family:
House of Boyd Society
Recognized by:
Boyle
Patrick Robin Archibald Boyle, 10th Earl of Glasgow
SCSC Member:
YES
Clan Chief or Head of Family:
Recognized by:
Brodie
Alexander Tristan Duff Brodie of Brodie
YES
SCSC Member:
YES
Clan Chief or Head of Family:
Clan Brodie of the Americas
Recognized by:
Broun
Sir Wayne Broun of Colstoun Bt.
YES
SCSC Member:
YES
Clan Chief or Head of Family:
Clan Broun Association Incorporated
Recognized by:
Bruce
Andrew Douglas Alexander Thomas Bruce, 11th Earl of Elgin, 15th Earl of Kincardine, K.T.
YES
SCSC Member:
YES
Clan Chief or Head of Family:
Family of Bruce International
Recognized by:
Buchan
David Buchan of Auchmacoy
YES
SCSC Member:
NO
Clan Chief or Head of Family:
Clan Buchan Association
Recognized by:
Buchanan
Michael Buchanan of that Ilk and Arnprior
YES
SCSC Member:
YES
Clan Chief or Head of Family:
Clan Buchanan Society International
Recognized by:
Burnett
James Burnett of Leys
YES
SCSC Member:
YES
Clan Chief or Head of Family:
House of Burnett
Recognized by:
Cameron
Donald Cameron of Lochiel
YES
SCSC Member:
YES
Clan Chief or Head of Family:
Clan Cameron Association
Recognized by:
Campbell
Torquhil Ian Campbell, 13th Duke of Argyll
YES
SCSC Member:
YES
Clan Chief or Head of Family:
Clan Campbell Society NA
Recognized by:
Campbell of Cawdor
Colin Campbell, 7th Earl Cawdor
SCSC Member:
NO
Clan Chief or Head of Family:
Recognized by:
Carmichael
Richard Carmichael of Carmichael
YES
SCSC Member:
YES
Clan Chief or Head of Family:
Clan Carmichael USA
Recognized by:
Carnegie
David Carnegie, 4th Duke of Fife
SCSC Member:
NO
Clan Chief or Head of Family:
Recognized by:
Carruthers
Dr Simon Peter Carruthers of Holmains
YES
SCSC Member:
YES
Clan Chief or Head of Family:
Clan Carruthers Society
Recognized by:
Cathcart
Charles Alan Andrew Cathcart, 7th Earl Cathcart
SCSC Member:
NO
Clan Chief or Head of Family:
Recognized by:
Charteris
James Charteris, 13th Earl of Wemyss and 9th Earl of March
SCSC Member:
YES
Clan Chief or Head of Family:
Recognized by:
Chisholm
Hamish Chisholm of Chisholm
YES
SCSC Member:
YES
Clan Chief or Head of Family:
International Clan Chisholm Society
Recognized by:
Cochrane
Iain Alexander Douglas Blair Cochrane, 15th Earl of Dundonald
YES
SCSC Member:
YES
Clan Chief or Head of Family:
Clan Cochrane Society of NA
Recognized by:
Colquhoun
Sir Malcolm Rory Colquhoun of Luss, 9th Baronet
YES
SCSC Member:
YES
Clan Chief or Head of Family:
Clan Colquhoun
Recognized by:
Colville
Charles Mark Townshend Colville, 5th Viscount Colville of Culross
SCSC Member:
NO
Clan Chief or Head of Family:
Recognized by: