Wilson septs

[The Wizard of BC]

Sean,

Can you tell us where in Scotland your people come from?

This idea of where your ancestors come from is actually more important that the name you carry.

There could be people named Wilson anywhere in Scotland. It is a common enough name. But if your people come from the East coast of Scotland or from anywhere South of the Town of Stirling, then they are most likely lowlanders. All the cities of Glasgow, Edinburgh, Stirling, Perth, Dundee, Aberdeen etc. are all in the Lowlands. The majority of the population of Scotland are from the Lowlands.

The Highland Clan system existed only in the Highlands or the extreme NW part of the country and the islands.

If your people are not from the Highlands they are probably not part of the Highland Clan system. This idea that everyone of Scottish ancestry is part of a Highland Clan is perhaps the most enduring myth.

This is also, sometimes, true of those who carry the last name of a Highland Clan.
Douglas is recognized as a Scottish Family but not a Highland Clan.
If your last name is Gordon and your people come from the North around The Western part of Aberdeenshire or the Moray area you could be part of the Gordan Clan. If however your last name is Gordon but your people come from down South near E. Ayrshire or Galloway, you may not be part of the Highland Clan.

This idea is also made worse by the fact that there is no, single, all authoritative list of Septs. Each Clan Chief may choose which he or she accepts and these are subject to change.

Yes, today we recognize more Lowland Scottish families under the broad term Clan. And yes, if you go to a Highland Games, and talk to those manning the society tents and booths you may hear all sorts of things. A society may or may not actually represent the Clan. Some are more social than they are Clan and sadly some are totally fanciful.


So again Sean, do you know where your people come from? Have you traced your genealogy? (and I'm sorry but looking up your last name on the internet is not doing your genealogy.)