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CHIEFS of the Name and Arms

Chiefs of the Name and Arms

A clan chief is that individual recognized by the ancient Scottish clan to be their leader. In the modern-day world, a clan 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. 
 

In Scotland, all coats of arms are granted by the Lord Lyon and 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 did not involve itself with internal clan affairs and still does not engage in the matters of modern-day societies. The Court does determine who has the right to bear arms.

The Chief of the Name and Arms is entitled to bear "the undifferenced arms of the clan or family (i.e. the principal arms of the clan or family that descend from one chief to the next in undifferenced form through the generations)." (See "Guidance Note: Chiefs of Clans and Families, Succession Of Chiefs, Family Conventions, Nomination of Heir," The Court of the Lord Lyon, 16 December 2021)

The Lord Lyon may also appoint a "commander" when a hereditary chief cannot be identified. "The purpose of the appointment of a commander is to allow time and space for the clan or family to raise its profile, build itself up, publicise itself and for a potential candidate to be hereditary chief to be identified." (Ibid.) If another individual cannot prove descent from the chiefly line, then the commander may be endorsed as the Chief of the Names and Arms.

Agnew

Sir Crispin Agnew of Lochnaw, 11th Baronet

Anderson

Hope Vere Anderson, Baron of Bannockburn

Anstruther

Toby Anstruther of that Ilk

Arbuthnott

Keith Arbuthnott 17th Viscount of Arbuthnott

Arthur

John MacArthur of that Ilk

Baird

Commander Richard Holman Baird of Rickarton, Ury and Lochwood

Bannerman

Sir David Gordon Bannerman of Elsick, 15th Baronet

Barclay

Peter Barclay of that Ilk

Borthwick

John Hugh Borthwick, 24th Lord Borthwick

Boyd

Robin Jordan Boyd 8th Baron Kilmarnock

Boyle

Patrick Robin Archibald Boyle, 10th Earl of Glasgow

Brodie

Alexander Tristan Duff Brodie of Brodie

Broun

Sir Wayne Broun of Colstoun Bt.

Bruce

Andrew Douglas Alexander Thomas Bruce, 11th Earl of Elgin, 15th Earl of Kincardine, K.T.

Buchan

David Buchan of Auchmacoy

Buchanan

Michael Buchanan of that Ilk and Arnprior

Burnett

James Burnett of Leys

Cameron

Donald Cameron of Lochiel

Campbell

Torquhil Ian Campbell, 13th Duke of Argyll

Campbell of Cawdor

Colin Campbell, 7th Earl Cawdor

Carmichael

Richard Carmichael of Carmichael

Carnegie

David Carnegie, 4th Duke of Fife

Carruthers

Dr Simon Peter Carruthers of Holmains

Cathcart

Charles Alan Andrew Cathcart, 7th Earl Cathcart

Charteris

James Charteris, 13th Earl of Wemyss and 9th Earl of March

Chattan

John Mackintosh of Mackintosh

Chisholm

Hamish Chisholm of Chisholm

Cochrane

Iain Alexander Douglas Blair Cochrane, 15th Earl of Dundonald

Colquhoun

Sir Malcolm Rory Colquhoun of Luss, 9th Baronet

Colville

Charles Mark Townshend Colville, 5th Viscount Colville of Culross

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