Scottish and Irish Clans & Families
Most of our material comes from antiquarian books published in the 1800's. There are many references to Scottish clans in our History section as well so do use our search engine to find other mentions of your clan or family in our thousands of historical pages. Should you enjoy Scottish History then why not get our Free weekly email newsletter.

How did the Scottish clan system collapse?
Why Did the Scottish Clan System Collapse? Many pinpoint the bloody Battle of Culloden in 1746 as the moment where everything changed for Scotland’s clan system, as King George’s troops crushed the Jacobite rebellion. In what today might be considered ethnic cleansing, the ruling King of England ordered all supporters of the Jacobite cause be slaughtered, including many of the clans that populated the Scottish Highlands. This was followed by the notorious Highland Clearances and bitter disputes over land ownership, during which any final traces of Highland clans were forced on mass to the sea coast, the Lowlands or abroad.

• Clans
  This is where we list recognized clans along with their histories and where we also provide links to official Clan societies where we know of them. These are all clans that are recognized by the Lord Lyon Court.
• Information on other Scottish Names
  Should you not have found your name in our Clans page above then try in here.
• Scottish Family History
  List of books available on the Internet Archive
• Searching for your name
  Using our site search engine
• A History of individual Irish Families
  This section includes both Irish and Scots Irish families.
• Scottish Clans and their Tartans
  A 213 page book listing some 96 clans with their tartans and additional notes in pdf format printed in 1886.
• Names and Spelling of Names connected with Clans (329k)
  This is a huge list of names connected with clans as well as many spelling variations. This is thus a good place to try to find your clan connection. It's a large page and once loaded we recommend you use your browsers Edit/Find search facility to search the page.
• Scottish Clan & Surname DNA Projects
  All testing with FamilyTreeDNA.com
• Chiefs and Chieftains
  A list provided by Iain Brodie of Falsyde.
• List of Septs and Dependants
  Having difficulty in knowing if your name is associated with a clan? We explain all about septs in here and provide lists of names associated with the various clans.
• Scottish Names (Big File 228k)
  Comes from the Encyclopaedia of Clans and Families and is another attempt to list names associated with individual clans. 
• The Great Historic Families of Scotland
  Here we have a detailed look at the great historic families of Scotland.
• Historic Earls and Earldoms of Scotland
  An account of the Earldom and Earls of Mar, Earldom and Earls of Buchan, Earldom and Earls of Huntly, Earldom and Earls of Erroll, Keiths, Great Marischals of Scotland, and Earl Marischals, Earldom and Earls of Findlater, and Seafield.
• Scottish Roots Research
  This is our genealogy guide. In here we tell you what we at Electric Scotland can and can't do to help and we also provide pointers to other good research resources.
• Tartans
  This is where we have a searchable database of tartans with thanks to the Scottish Tartan Society.
• Clan Crests
  An explanation of Clan Crests by Celtic Studio
• The Scottish Macs
  Their Derivation and Origin by James B. Johnson (1922) (pdf)
• Dissertation on Heirs Male
  When used as a clause of Remainder in Grant of Scotch Perages with some Incidental Discussions by Alexander Sinclair (1837) (pdf)
• Estimate of Scottish Nobility During the Minority of James the Sixth
  With Preliminary Observations by the Rev. Charles Rogers, LL.D. FSA Scot, (1873) (pdf)

Further information on Scottish Clans and Families

• Clans and Families of Ireland and Scotland!
  This is a significant book by C. Thomas Cairney detailing where the Gaels came from and how clans and families of Ireland and Scotland fit into the overall picture.
• Historical Geography of the Clans of Scotland
  This book includes a detailed map of the Clans of Scotland together with other Clan information including other maps and accounts of the Highlands.
• McIan's Costumes of the Clans of Scotland
  Seventy four coloured illustrations with descriptive letterpress by James Logan (pdf)
• The Highlanders of Scotland: their origin, history, and antiquities: with a sketch of their manners and customs, and an account of the clans into which they were divided, and of the state of society which existed among them by William F. Skene (1837)
  • Volume 1 (pdf)
  • Volume 2 (pdf)
• Entymology of the Gaelic Surnames and Personal Names
  By Alexander MacBain, M. A., LL.D. (1909)
• Wild Scottish Clans
  And Bonnie Prince Charlie by Arthur Llewellyn Griffiths (1910)
• The Highland Clans
  A description of the Highland Clans and how they came into being.
• The Clan System
  A paper read by Mr Murdoch at the Gaelic Society of Inverness 1871.
• The Scots-Irish: The Thirteenth Tribe
  An excellent account of who the Scots-Irish are.
• Chiefs of Clans and Names in Scotland
  Here are a list of known Clan Chiefs and their addresses.
• Clan Newsletters
  Clans send us in copies of their newsletters which you can view here.
• Clans, Families and Septs
  A modern explanation of Clans, Families and Septs as they are viewed by the Lyon Court.
• Clans of the Brea d’Alban
  A collection of Scottish Histories, Macnab, Dewar, Macnish and Associated Families Compiled and edited by David Rorer
• The Lord Lyon and his Jurisdiction
  Documents and analysis pertaining to the judicial powers of Lord Lyon in Scotland, in particular relating to nobility, chiefs of clans, and precedence. As by Scotland court of Session by Liam H.
• Clan Mottos
  Here is a list of clan and family mottos.
• Clan Tours
  Here are a number of suggested tours for a variety of Clans
• The Court of the Lord Lyon
  I have scanned in most of the standard leaflets available from the Lord Lyon's office for you to read here.
• Mini Biographies of Scots and Scots Descendants
  This is where we list mini bios for you to enjoy and we provide a form for you if you'd like to contribute a story or two to our collection.
• Explanation of Clanship
  A very detailed account of how clans came into being and how they were organised.
• Kings of the Isles
  A follow on to the above section which goes on to explain more about the influence of the Irish and Vikings.
• How the Peerage is Ranked
  Where do Duke's, etc lie in precedence or ranking.
• Historic Clan Postcards
  These postcards come from the publication "The History of Scotland" by James Browne, LL.D published in 1909.
• Society of Scottish Armigers
  Information on what is an Arminger.
• Armorial Bearings & Clan Crests
  This page explains about clan shields and crests and is a publication from the Lord Lyon's office.
• Armorial Bearings
  These come from the publication "The History of Scotland" by James Browne, LL.D published in 1909.
• Tartans
  This is where we provide links to find your tartan and also explains how you might choose which tartan to wear.
• Kirkin' o' the Tartan
  An example of a typical service.
• The Heraldry Society of Scotland [External Link]
  The aim of this website is to bring about a greater awareness of the Art, Law and Science of Scotland's unique heraldry and also to provide a forum for the Society's heraldry enthusiasts, the heraldic professionals and the public at large.
• Standing Council of Scottish Chiefs [External Link]
  The Standing Council is the body which represents the interests of its members in all matters pertaining to the use and protection of their armorial bearings.
• Parliamentary Register 29 July 1587
  Giving a list of clans as at 1587
• Looking for your roots?
  This is an email we got from Mary Mills Kennedy where she explains her motivation for searching for her roots and what she has got from it.
• Conflicts of the Clans
  This is a compilation of short stories about various conflicts between clans.
• Scottish Clan Displays at Highland Games
  By Carole Rattray Nickels
• The Council of Scottish Armigerous Clans and Families
• Highlands of Scotland in 1750 (pdf)
• Join our FREE Mailing List
  As so much is added to the site each day we started this mailing list which sends you an email once a week telling you what's new and includes some stories of Scotland.
• Register your clan web site with us!
  Should you have a web site featuring your clan then this is where you can apply to register it on Electric Scotland under your clan page.
• Native Tribes of Britain
  From the BBC. An audio of this can be listened to here on the Internet Archive with the first 7 minutes dedicated to the Scottish Tribes.

This map is accurate to the Acts of Parliament passed in 1587 and 1594 respectively.

Map showing the districts of the Highland Clans of Scotland (912k)

View our Scottish Events Calendar

Clan Map from
Lochcarron
Also shows their Clan Crest and Tartan

Arms of the Scottish Family & Clan Chiefs