Gift of the Chief--clan membership

**freep** · 2nd November 17, 09:08 AM

If Clan membership is a "gift of the chief," and the Chief is the nominal head of the UK clan society, does that mean that acceptance into the society constitutes a Clan membership by way of a gift of the chief?

**davidlpope** · 2nd November 17, 02:29 PM

I think you're overthinking this. Clan societies are organizations that require dues. A "clan" is all those whom the clan chief accepts the "allegiance" of. Practically, if you have a surname associated with clan, or are descended from someone who did, then you're part of the "clan". If you pay your dues you're part of the clan society. Most chiefs are happy to have anyone that is willing to support the activities of the "clan". Typically these are members of the Diaspora.

**The Wizard of BC** · 2nd November 17, 03:29 PM

Most Clan societies, at least in N. America, are more akin to social groups. Joining a Society gets you the newsletter.

I know of at least three who always seem to have a tent at Highland Games who have no connection to the Scottish Highland Clan at all.
I have one customer who always refers to "My Clan" when she actually means her small, local, social group that meet and dress up under a banner with the Clan name on it.
A Clan Chief may or may not know what the societies are doing.

But hey, you get the newsletter so may get some background and perhaps a little history.

**freep** · 2nd November 17, 05:11 PM

Originally Posted by The Wizard of BC

Most Clan societies, at least in N. America, are more akin to social groups. Joining a Society gets you the newsletter.

I know of at least three who always seem to have a tent at Highland Games who have no connection to the Scottish Highland Clan at all.
I have one customer who always refers to "My Clan" when she actually means her small, local, social group that meet and dress up under a banner with the Clan name on it.
A Clan Chief may or may not know what the societies are doing.

But hey, you get the newsletter so may get some background and perhaps a little history.

Agreed, in my experience most US clan societies are such. However, I was thinking specifically of the UK Clan Gunn Society wherein the Clan Chief is also the head of the society.

I'd seen the notion that actual clan membership is a 'gift of the chief' conferred upon an individual in another post on Xmarks somewhere.