CHIEFS 4/6

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.

MacDonald of Glengarry

Ranald Macdonell of Glengarry

SCSC Member:

YES

Clan Chief or Head of Family:

Recognized by:

MacDonald of Keppoch

Ranald MacDonald of Keppoch

SCSC Member:

YES

Clan Chief or Head of Family:

Recognized by:

MacDonald of Macdonald

Godfrey James Macdonald of Macdonald, 8th Baron Macdonald of Slate

YES

SCSC Member:

YES

Clan Chief or Head of Family:

Clan Donald USA

Recognized by:

MacDonald of Sleat

Sir Ian Macdonald of Sleat Bt.

SCSC Member:

YES

Clan Chief or Head of Family:

Recognized by:

MacDonald of Glencoe

Alan MacDonald

SCSC Member:

YES

Clan Chief or Head of Family:

Recognized by:

MacDougall

Madame Morag MacDougall of MacDougall

YES

SCSC Member:

YES

Clan Chief or Head of Family:

Clan MacDougall Society of NA

Recognized by:

MacDowall

Fergus Macdowall of Garthland

YES

SCSC Member:

YES

Clan Chief or Head of Family:

Clan MacDowall

Recognized by:

MacGillivray

Iain MacGillivray

YES

SCSC Member:

YES

Clan Chief or Head of Family:

Clan MaGillivray

Recognized by:

Commander

MacGregor

Sir Malcolm MacGregor of MacGregor Bt.

YES

SCSC Member:

YES

Clan Chief or Head of Family:

American Clan Gregor Society

Recognized by:

MacIntyre

Donald R. MacIntyre of Glenoe

SCSC Member:

YES

Clan Chief or Head of Family:

Recognized by:

MacKenzie

John Ruaridh Grant MacKenzie, 5th Earl of Cromartie

YES

SCSC Member:

YES

Clan Chief or Head of Family:

Clan MacKenzie Society in the US

Recognized by:

MacKinnon

Madam Anne MacKinnon of MacKinnon

YES

SCSC Member:

Clan Chief or Head of Family:

Clan MacKinnon Society

Recognized by:

MacLachlan

Euan Maclachlan of Maclachlan, 25th chief of clan lachlan

YES

SCSC Member:

YES

Clan Chief or Head of Family:

Clan MacLachlan Society / Lachlan trust of Canada

Recognized by:

MacLaine

Lorne Maclaine of Lochbuie

YES

SCSC Member:

YES

Clan Chief or Head of Family:

Clan Maclaine of Lochbuie

Recognized by:

MacLaren

Florian MacLaren

YES

SCSC Member:

YES

Clan Chief or Head of Family:

Clan MacLaren Society

Recognized by:

Tanist

MacLea

Niall Livingstone of Bachuil, Baron the Bachuil

YES

SCSC Member:

YES

Clan Chief or Head of Family:

Clan Livingstone/MacLea Society

Recognized by:

MacLean

Major the Hon. Sir Lachlan MacLean of Duart and Morvern Bt.

YES

SCSC Member:

YES

Clan Chief or Head of Family:

Clan Maclean

Recognized by:

MacLennan

Ruairidh MacLennan of MacLennan

YES

SCSC Member:

YES

Clan Chief or Head of Family:

Clan MacLennan Worldwide

Recognized by:

MacLeod of the Lewes

Torquil Macleod of the Lewes

SCSC Member:

YES

Clan Chief or Head of Family:

Recognized by:

MacLeod of Raasay

John Macleod of Raasay

SCSC Member:

YES

Clan Chief or Head of Family:

Recognized by:

MacMillan

George MacMillan of MacMillan and Knap

YES

SCSC Member:

YES

Clan Chief or Head of Family:

Clan MacMillan International

Recognized by:

MacNab

Jamie Macnab of Macnab

YES

SCSC Member:

YES

Clan Chief or Head of Family:

Clan Macnab Society

Recognized by:

MacNaghten

Sir Malcolm Francis Macnaghten of MacNaghten, 12th Baronet

YES

SCSC Member:

YES

Clan Chief or Head of Family:

Clan Nacnachton Association Worldwide

Recognized by:

MacNeacail

John Macneacail of Macneacail & Scorrabreac

YES

SCSC Member:

YES

Clan Chief or Head of Family:

Clan MacNicol Federation

Recognized by:

MacNeil

Roderick Macneil of Barra, 47th Chief

YES

SCSC Member:

YES

Clan Chief or Head of Family:

Clan Macneil Association of America

Recognized by:

MacPherson

James Brodie Macpherson of Cluny

YES

SCSC Member:

YES

Clan Chief or Head of Family:

Clan Macpherson Association

Recognized by:

MacTavish

Steven MacTavish of Dunardry

YES

SCSC Member:

YES

Clan Chief or Head of Family:

Clan MacTavish

Recognized by:

MacThomas

Andrew MacThomas of Finegand

YES

SCSC Member:

YES

Clan Chief or Head of Family:

Clan MacThomas Society

Recognized by:

Mackay

Æneas Simon Mackay, 15th Lord Reay

YES

SCSC Member:

YES

Clan Chief or Head of Family:

Clan Mackay Society of the USA

Recognized by:

Mackintosh

John Lachlan Mackintosh of Mackintosh

YES

SCSC Member:

YES

Clan Chief or Head of Family:

Clan Mackintosh of NA

Recognized by: