CHIEFS 2/6

CHIEFS

Chiefs

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.

Crichton

David Maitland Makgill Crichton of that Ilk

YES

SCSC Member:

YES

Clan Chief or Head of Family:

Clan Crichton

Recognized by:

Cumming

Sir Alexander Penrose Gordon Cumming of Altyre, 7th Bt.

SCSC Member:

Clan Chief or Head of Family:

Recognized by:

Cunningham

Sir John Christopher Foggo Montgomery Cunninghame of Kilmaurs, Baronet of Corsehill

YES

SCSC Member:

YES

Clan Chief or Head of Family:

Clan Cunningham International

Recognized by:

Currie

Robert Currie

YES

SCSC Member:

YES

Clan Chief or Head of Family:

Learned Kindred of Currie

Recognized by:

Commander

Dalrymple

John David James Dalrymple, 14th Earl of Stair

SCSC Member:

YES

Clan Chief or Head of Family:

Recognized by:

Darroch

Duncan Darroch of Gourock

SCSC Member:

Clan Chief or Head of Family:

Recognized by:

Davidson

Grant Guthrie Davidson, 3rd of Davidston

YES

SCSC Member:

Clan Chief or Head of Family:

Clan Davidson Society of NA

David Dundas of Dundas

SCSC Member:

YES

Clan Chief or Head of Family:

Recognized by:

Dunlop

James Stuart Wallace Dunlop, Dunlop of that Ilk

YES

SCSC Member:

Clan Chief or Head of Family:

House of Dumlop

Recognized by:

Durie

Andrew Maule Dewar Durie of Durie , CBE

SCSC Member:

YES

Clan Chief or Head of Family:

Recognized by:

Edmonstone

Sir Archibald Bruce Charles Edmonstone of Duntreath, 7th Bt

SCSC Member:

Clan Chief or Head of Family:

Recognized by:

Elliot

Madam Margaret Eliott of Redheugh

YES

SCSC Member:

YES

Clan Chief or Head of Family:

Elliot Clan Society

Recognized by:

Elphinstone

Alexander Mountstuart Elphinstone, 19th Lord Elphinstone, 5th Baron Elphinstone

SCSC Member:

YES

Clan Chief or Head of Family:

Recognized by:

Erskine

James Thorne Erskine, 14th Earl of Mar and 16th Earl of Kellie

SCSC Member:

YES

Clan Chief or Head of Family:

Recognized by:

Ewing

Thor Ewing

YES

SCSC Member:

YES

Clan Chief or Head of Family:

Ewing Family Association

Recognized by:

Commander

Farquharson

Philip Farquharson, 17th of Invercauld

YES

SCSC Member:

YES

Clan Chief or Head of Family:

Clan Farquharson, USA

Recognized by:

Fergusson

Sir Adam Fergusson of Kilkerran, 10th Baronet

YES

SCSC Member:

Clan Chief or Head of Family:

Clan Fergusson Society of North America

Recognized by:

Madam Sarah Grierson of Lag

SCSC Member:

Clan Chief or Head of Family:

Recognized by:

Gunn

Iain Alexander Gunn of Banniskirk

YES

SCSC Member:

YES

Clan Chief or Head of Family:

Clan Gunn Society UK

Recognized by:

Haig

Alexander Douglas Derrick Haig, 3rd Earl Haig

SCSC Member:

Clan Chief or Head of Family:

Recognized by: