How did Clans become Clans?

[Geoff Withnell]

Possibly silly question. But how did clans become clans. As opposed to being extended families? Is it possible for new clans to be created? Just an idle mind wondering.

Geoff Withnell

[Urchurdan]

Possibly silly question. But how did clans become clans. As opposed to being extended families? Is it possible for new clans to be created? Just an idle mind wondering.

Geoff Withnell

The English word 'Clan' is derived from the gaelic word Clann - pronounced 'cla-own' the 'own' as in clown in fact it is clown with an added 'a'..
It means children, as we use it, it means 'Children of the Chief'.
There are Clans without Chiefs that are off shoots of a major Clan, so yes, it is possible to create new Clans. (Or septs)

[Dall_Piobaire]

Often the clann would have large tracts of land which they would then lease to famlies not of the root clann, thus septs. Families would pledge allegiance to that clann and so would protect the interests of, and have their interests protected by the clann.

[jkane]

Clowns! Scary clowns, or funny clowns? int:

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

Clowns! Scary clowns, or funny clowns? int:

Funny clowns with big shoes and WHITE SOCKS!

[Sawney Bean]

First emerged in the middle ages due to the land bit as mentioned above and added security due to the lawlessness of Scotland (for a change..). The Border Families started in a similar lawless environment due to the Wars of Independence that made it difficult to raise crops, graze your cattle and sleep well at night. Since the borderers couldn't expect protection by central government, they took matters into their own hands, developed their own code of (mis)conduct followed a 'Heidman' (Read Chieftain) and went about their business of 'Reiving'. This, incidently, was as much an English occupation as a Scots one, the Charlton's, Robson's and Storey's no less tribal than the Scott's, Elliott's and Johnstone's.

Fave Reiver quote:
An English traveller was making his way through Liddesdale (brave/idiotic) and was shocked by the lack of churches to be seen around, he asked a local 'Are there no christian's here!?' the Liddesdale man grinned and replied 'Naw were a' Armstrangs an' Elliotts!'

[kiltedsawyer]

It seems that there were some people who were destined to be a clan, but of course they kept it a secret, hence the term clandestine. Once the secret was out they all moved to the Florida pan-handle and went so far as to change the name to San Destin. Now this clan had several septs, (all of whom were predestined to be Presbyterian as it turned out.) The first sept faultered early on and their names were like so many others that you couldn't tell them apart. The second sept was called the "bi," (meaning two or second,) sept. They were the clan's muscle so to speak but were also known for having involuntary spasms or ticks. The ones that had the worst ticks split off from the main sept and were soon at war with some of the other clans who had made fun of them. These clans were considered antiseptic. Very little has been written about these clans and less has been read, but what is known is that many in these clans were germanophobic, on their mother's side or were thought to be so shortly after the war. Today they inhabit a small fishing village in Arizona.

I hope this helps.

[Dall_Piobaire]

But where do the trisepts fit in, or do they just straddle the whole lot?

[Urchurdan]

It seems that there were some people who were destined to be a clan, but of course they kept it a secret, hence the term clandestine. Once the secret was out they all moved to the Florida pan-handle and went so far as to change the name to San Destin. Now this clan had several septs, (all of whom were predestined to be Presbyterian as it turned out.) The first sept faultered early on and their names were like so many others that you couldn't tell them apart. The second sept was called the "bi," (meaning two or second,) sept. They were the clan's muscle so to speak but were also known for having involuntary spasms or ticks. The ones that had the worst ticks split off from the main sept and were soon at war with some of the other clans who had made fun of them. These clans were considered antiseptic. Very little has been written about these clans and less has been read, but what is known is that many in these clans were germanophobic, on their mother's side or were thought to be so shortly after the war. Today they inhabit a small fishing village in Arizona.

I hope this helps.

Magic, this SHOULD be true....LoL...

[kiltedsawyer]

But where do the trisepts fit in, or do they just straddle the whole lot?

I'm glad you asked, but pay close attention now as this is where it gets tricky. This sept did not show up until around 1800 which for you non-military types is 6:00PM, which means they were most likely late for dinner. This would have rendered them a tall, thin people of stocky build leading one historian to describe them as freakishly tall midgets. Now, there has been a heated, (or at least indoor,) debate as to whether this sept was related gynecologically to the Pics, (or Gaelic: Picts,) which were taken at the Battle of Witts in 1355, (or at least before two in the afternoon.) Historians still disagree as to the authenticity of these Pics as the prints were not picked up until the following day. As we all know the Pics or "Picts" went on to settle the Yosemite Valley. Hence the term; "Picturesque." The Pics continued to develop through a rather arduous process until everything went digital, but they were unable to afford a converter box and to this day only get three channels.

Respectfully submitted,
David