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.
Macleod
Hugh Magnus MacLeod of MacLeod
YES
SCSC Member:
NO
Clan Chief or Head of Family:
Associated Clan MacLeod Societies
Recognized by:
Maitland
Ian Maitland, 18th Earl of Lauderdale
YES
SCSC Member:
YES
Clan Chief or Head of Family:
Clan Maitland
Recognized by:
Makgill
Ian Arthur Alexander Makgill, 14th Viscount of Oxfuird
SCSC Member:
NO
Clan Chief or Head of Family:
Recognized by:
Malcolm (MacCallum)
Robin Malcolm of Poltalloch
YES
SCSC Member:
YES
Clan Chief or Head of Family:
Clan MacCallum-Malcolm Society of NA
Recognized by:
Mar
Margaret of Mar, 30th Countess of Mar
SCSC Member:
YES
Clan Chief or Head of Family:
Recognized by:
Marjoribanks
Andrew Marjoribanks of that Ilk
YES
SCSC Member:
YES
Clan Chief or Head of Family:
Clan Marjoribanks Society
Recognized by:
Matheson
Major Sir Alexander Matheson of Matheson, Bt.
YES
SCSC Member:
YES
Clan Chief or Head of Family:
Clan Matheson Society
Recognized by:
McEwen
Sir John R.H McEwen, 5th Baronet of Marchmont and Bardrochat
YES
SCSC Member:
YES
Clan Chief or Head of Family:
Clan MacEwen Society
Recognized by:
Commander
McKenzie of Torry
Keith Ngamphon McKenzie of Torry
SCSC Member:
NO
Clan Chief or Head of Family:
Recognized by:
Menzies
Robert Ronald Steuart Menzies of Menzies
YES
SCSC Member:
NO
Clan Chief or Head of Family:
Menzies Clan Society
Recognized by:
Moffat
Madam Jean Moffat of that Ilk
YES
SCSC Member:
YES
Clan Chief or Head of Family:
Clan Moffat UK Association
Recognized by:
Moncreiffe
The Hon. Peregrine Moncreiffe of that Ilk
YES
SCSC Member:
YES
Clan Chief or Head of Family:
Clan Moncrieffe
Recognized by:
Montgomerie
Hugh Archibald William Montgomerie, 19th Earl of Eglinton and 7th Earl of Winton
YES
SCSC Member:
YES
Clan Chief or Head of Family:
Clan Montgomery Society International
Recognized by:
Morrison
Alasdair Morrison of Ruchdi
YES
SCSC Member:
YES
Clan Chief or Head of Family:
Clan Morrison Society of NA
Recognized by:
Munro
Hector Munro of Foulis
YES
SCSC Member:
YES
Clan Chief or Head of Family:
Can Munro (Association)
Recognized by:
Murray
Bruce Murray, 12th Duke of Atholl
YES
SCSC Member:
NO
Clan Chief or Head of Family:
Murray Clan Society of NA
Recognized by:
Napier
Francis Nigel Napier, 14th Lord Napier
YES
SCSC Member:
YES
Clan Chief or Head of Family:
Clan Napier In North America
Recognized by:
Nesbitt
Mark Nesbitt of that Ilk
YES
SCSC Member:
YES
Clan Chief or Head of Family:
Nesbitt/Nisbet Society of NA
Recognized by:
Nicolson
Adam Nicolson, 5th Baron Carnock
SCSC Member:
NO
Clan Chief or Head of Family:
Recognized by:
Ogilvy
David George Patrick Coke Ogilvy, 8th Earl of Airlie
SCSC Member:
YES
Clan Chief or Head of Family:
Recognized by:
Oliphant
Richard Oliphant of that Ilk
YES
SCSC Member:
YES
Clan Chief or Head of Family:
Oliphant Clan and Family Association
Recognized by:
Primrose
Neil Primrose, 7th Earl of Rosebery
SCSC Member:
NO
Clan Chief or Head of Family:
Recognized by:
Pringle
Sir Norman Murray Archibald MacGregor Pringle of that Ilk and Stichill, 10th Baronet, 26th Chief
YES
SCSC Member:
YES
Clan Chief or Head of Family:
Clan Pringle Association
Recognized by:
Ramsay
James Hubert Ramsay, 17th Earl of Dalhousie
YES
SCSC Member:
YES
Clan Chief or Head of Family:
Clan Ramsay International
Recognized by:
Chieftain
Rattray
Alexander Rattray of Rattray
SCSC Member:
NO
Clan Chief or Head of Family:
Recognized by:
Riddell
Sir Walter John Buchanan Riddell, 14th Baronet
SCSC Member:
YES
Clan Chief or Head of Family:
Recognized by:
Rollo
David Eric Howard Rollo, 14th Lord Rollo
SCSC Member:
YES
Clan Chief or Head of Family:
Recognized by:
Rose
David Hugh Heriot Baird Rose, 26th Baron of Kilravock.
YES
SCSC Member:
YES
Clan Chief or Head of Family:
Clan Rose International
Recognized by:
Ross
David Ross of Ross And Balnagowan
YES
SCSC Member:
YES
Clan Chief or Head of Family:
Clan Ross America, Clan Ross of the US
Recognized by:
Ruthven
Alexander Patrick Greysteil Ruthven, 2nd Earl of Gowrie
SCSC Member:
NO
Clan Chief or Head of Family:
Recognized by: