maternal heritage - can i wear a clan kilt?

[davidlpope]

Hi,
i thought I would reach out for some professional advice regarding clans and clan history and whether I am able to wear a clan kilt associated with my direct family lineage.

On my father's side of the family:
My grandmother a Jameson belongs to clan Gunn and served as president of a chapter of the Caledonian Society in South Africa.
My grandfather came from Northumberland in the UK and as far as I know he has no Scottish heritage.

On my mother's side:
My grandfather was a Cunningham.
My grandmother was of Dutch descent.

I would imagine that typically membership in a clan would be passed down through the fathers side of the family. Does that mean my father cannot be a member of the Gunn clan considering his father was English and therefore I would be unable to be a member of the Gunn clan?

Or, am I able to join either clan, Cunningham or Gunn if they would have me. My grandmother on my fathers side is a more direct line and she was more involved. I would like to join the Gunn clan if possible.

thanks in advance for all the assistance.
shaun

If your surname is Nixon, why not join Clan Armstrong?
http://www.armstrong.org/about-the-a...-clan-society/

[nixonshaun]

Hi David and Bruce,
There is evidence of Nixons living on both sides of the border, I remember a lot of banter between my grandmother and grandfathers side of the family. She would accuse his side (English) as being a bunch of sheep stealers a joke didn't understand until I was an adult.
Even though Nixons were on both sides of border, and there are also Irish Nixons - like Pres. Richard Nixon. My grandfather and his father were English. I haven't tracked the family tree beyond that. Thanks for the info on clan Armstrong.

[Taskr]

The question posed is can I wear a clan kilt. So, my question in return is, do you feel you have to join a clan to wear a tartan?

I wear three tartans: one is not family affiliated, one is maternal and one is paternal. I did not join any clans nor consider myself a member of any by birth.

Joining a clan and wearing a tartan are not a direct correlation, IMO.