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.
Sandilands
James Andrew Douglas Sandilands, 15th Lord Torphichen
SCSC Member:
NO
Clan Chief or Head of Family:
Recognized by:
Scott
Richard Walter John Montagu-Douglas-Scott, 10th Duke of Buccleuch 12th Duke of Queensberry
YES
SCSC Member:
YES
Clan Chief or Head of Family:
Clan Scott Society
Recognized by:
Chieftain
Scott of Harden
Andrew Walter Hepburne-Scott, 11th Lord Polwarth
SCSC Member:
YES
Clan Chief or Head of Family:
Recognized by:
Scrymgeour
Alexander Henry Scrymgeour of Dundee, 12th Earl of Dundee
YES
SCSC Member:
YES
Clan Chief or Head of Family:
Scrimgeour Clan Association
Recognized by:
Sempill
James William Stuart Whitmore Sempill, 21st Lord Sempill
SCSC Member:
YES
Clan Chief or Head of Family:
Recognized by:
Shaw of Tordarroch
Iain Shaw of Tordarroch
YES
SCSC Member:
YES
Clan Chief or Head of Family:
Clan Shaw
Recognized by:
Sinclair
Malcolm Ian Sinclair, 20th Earl of Caithness
YES
SCSC Member:
YES
Clan Chief or Head of Family:
Clan Sinclair USA
Recognized by:
Skene
Dugald Skene of Skene
YES
SCSC Member:
YES
Clan Chief or Head of Family:
Clan Skene Association
Recognized by:
Somerville
Dr. David C. Somerville, RAF (ret).
YES
SCSC Member:
NO
Clan Chief or Head of Family:
Clan Somerville Family Association
Recognized by:
Spens
Patrick Spens, 4th Baron Spens
SCSC Member:
NO
Clan Chief or Head of Family:
Recognized by:
Stirling
Francis John Stirling of Cadder
SCSC Member:
NO
Clan Chief or Head of Family:
Recognized by:
Strange
Major Timothy Strange of Balcaskie
SCSC Member:
YES
Clan Chief or Head of Family:
Recognized by:
Stuart of Bute
The Most Hon. John Crichton-Stuart, 7th Marquess of Bute
SCSC Member:
NO
Clan Chief or Head of Family:
Recognized by:
Sutherland
Alistair Charles St Clair Sutherland, 25th Earl of Sutherland
YES
SCSC Member:
YES
Clan Chief or Head of Family:
Clan Sutherland Society in Scotland
Recognized by:
Swinton
Rolfe Swinton of That Ilk
SCSC Member:
NO
Clan Chief or Head of Family:
Recognized by:
Trotter
Major Alexander Trotter of Mortonhall, CVO
SCSC Member:
YES
Clan Chief or Head of Family:
Recognized by:
Urquhart
Colonel Wilkins Urquhart of Urquhart
YES
SCSC Member:
YES
Clan Chief or Head of Family:
Clan Urquhart Association
Recognized by:
Wallace
Andrew Robert Wallace of that Ilk
YES
SCSC Member:
YES
Clan Chief or Head of Family:
Clan Wallace Society
Recognized by:
Wedderburn
Henry David Wedderburn of that Ilk, Lord Scrymgeour, Master of Dundee
SCSC Member:
YES
Clan Chief or Head of Family:
Recognized by:
Wemyss
Michael Wemyss of Wemyss
SCSC Member:
YES
Clan Chief or Head of Family:
Recognized by:
Wood
Oonagh Elizabeth Susan Fawcett Wood of Largo
YES
SCSC Member:
NO
Clan Chief or Head of Family:
Clan Wood Society
Recognized by: