Council of Scottish Clans & Associations

Chiefs of the Name and Arms

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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 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.

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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)

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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.

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