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.

Agnew

Sir Crispin Agnew of Lochnaw, 11th Baronet

SCSC Member:

YES

Clan Chief or Head of Family:

Recognized by:

Allardice

Richard Christopher Barclay Allardice of Allardice

SCSC Member:

Clan Chief or Head of Family:

Recognized by:

Anstruther

Toby Anstruther of that Ilk

SCSC Member:

YES

Clan Chief or Head of Family:

Recognized by:

Arbuthnott

Keith Arbuthnott 17th Viscount of Arbuthnott

SCSC Member:

Clan Chief or Head of Family:

Recognized by:

Arthur

John MacArthur of that Ilk

YES

SCSC Member:

YES

Clan Chief or Head of Family:

Clan Arthur

Recognized by:

Baird

Richard Holman Baird of Rickarton, Ury and Lochwood

YES

SCSC Member:

Clan Chief or Head of Family:

Clan Baird Society Worldwide

Recognized by:

Commander

Bannerman

Sir David Gordon Bannerman of Elsick, 15th Baronet

SCSC Member:

YES

Clan Chief or Head of Family:

Recognized by:

Barclay

Peter Charles Barclay of Towie Barclay and of that Ilk

YES

SCSC Member:

YES

Clan Chief or Head of Family:

Clan Barclay International

Recognized by:

Borthwick

John Hugh Borthwick, 24th Lord Borthwick

SCSC Member:

YES

Clan Chief or Head of Family:

Recognized by:

Boyd

Robin Jordan Boyd 8th Baron Kilmarnock

YES

SCSC Member:

Clan Chief or Head of Family:

House of Boyd Society

Recognized by:

Boyle

Patrick Robin Archibald Boyle, 10th Earl of Glasgow

SCSC Member:

YES

Clan Chief or Head of Family:

Recognized by:

Brodie

Alexander Tristan Duff Brodie of Brodie

YES

SCSC Member:

YES

Clan Chief or Head of Family:

Clan Brodie of the Americas

Recognized by:

Broun

Sir Wayne Broun of Colstoun Bt.

YES

SCSC Member:

YES

Clan Chief or Head of Family:

Clan Broun Association Incorporated

Recognized by:

Bruce

Andrew Douglas Alexander Thomas Bruce, 11th Earl of Elgin, 15th Earl of Kincardine, K.T.

YES

SCSC Member:

YES

Clan Chief or Head of Family:

Family of Bruce International

Recognized by:

Buchan

David Buchan of Auchmacoy

YES

SCSC Member:

Clan Chief or Head of Family:

Clan Buchan Association

Recognized by:

Buchanan

Michael Buchanan of that Ilk and Arnprior

YES

SCSC Member:

YES

Clan Chief or Head of Family:

Clan Buchanan Society International

Recognized by:

Burnett

James Burnett of Leys

YES

SCSC Member:

YES

Clan Chief or Head of Family:

House of Burnett

Recognized by:

Cameron

Donald Cameron of Lochiel

YES

SCSC Member:

YES

Clan Chief or Head of Family:

Clan Cameron Association

Recognized by:

Campbell

Torquhil Ian Campbell, 13th Duke of Argyll

YES

SCSC Member:

YES

Clan Chief or Head of Family:

Clan Campbell Society NA

Recognized by:

Campbell of Cawdor

Colin Campbell, 7th Earl Cawdor

SCSC Member:

Clan Chief or Head of Family:

Recognized by:

Carmichael

Richard Carmichael of Carmichael

YES

SCSC Member:

YES

Clan Chief or Head of Family:

Clan Carmichael USA

Recognized by:

Carnegie

David Carnegie, 4th Duke of Fife

SCSC Member:

Clan Chief or Head of Family:

Recognized by:

Carruthers

Dr Simon Peter Carruthers of Holmains

YES

SCSC Member:

YES

Clan Chief or Head of Family:

Clan Carruthers Society

Recognized by:

Cathcart

Charles Alan Andrew Cathcart, 7th Earl Cathcart

SCSC Member:

Clan Chief or Head of Family:

Recognized by:

Charteris

James Charteris, 13th Earl of Wemyss and 9th Earl of March

SCSC Member:

YES

Clan Chief or Head of Family:

Recognized by:

Chisholm

Hamish Chisholm of Chisholm

YES

SCSC Member:

YES

Clan Chief or Head of Family:

International Clan Chisholm Society

Recognized by:

Cochrane

Iain Alexander Douglas Blair Cochrane, 15th Earl of Dundonald

YES

SCSC Member:

YES

Clan Chief or Head of Family:

Clan Cochrane Society of NA

Recognized by:

Colquhoun

Sir Malcolm Rory Colquhoun of Luss, 9th Baronet

YES

SCSC Member:

YES

Clan Chief or Head of Family:

Clan Colquhoun

Recognized by:

Colville

Charles Mark Townshend Colville, 5th Viscount Colville of Culross

SCSC Member:

Clan Chief or Head of Family:

Recognized by:

Cranstoun

David Cranston of that Ilk

SCSC Member:

YES

Clan Chief or Head of Family:

Recognized by: