What side determines your clan?

[Dennis]

Hi,

Is your clan affiliation determined by your maternal or paternal line?

dennis

[Ina]

Interesting question Dennis, and I'd be interesting in knowing the answer.

In my case my father is Irish descent. My mother was a Ferguson, so I wear a Ferguson kilt and I'm a member of the Ferguson clan. However, my great grandmother is a Douglas, and both my great great grandmothers are McDougall's so I'm also a member of those clans. I also wear a full length McAllister (ggg grandmother) kilt for formal events such as St. Andrew's dinners and Burns suppers, only because I like the tartan.

Would be interesting to know if I'm breaking the rules.

Ina

[Currie]

Hello Dennis,

I can’t say I’ve ever given the subject of Clans much thought. However, the person who wrote this Wiki appears to have, and says:

Some clans are patrilineal, meaning its members are related through the male line; for example, the clans of Armenia. Others are matrilineal; its members are related through the female line, such as in some Native American clans. Still other clans are bilateral, consisting of all the descendants of the apical ancestor through both the male and female lines; the Irish and Scottish clans are examples.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clan

It sounds to me like you’re safe, Ina, more or less.

All the best,
Alan

[DavidMK]

Hi Dennis, when all else fails, just say you are descended from Jock Tamson, and wear the Thomson tartan.

David,( descended from Hugh Thomson.)

[Ina]

Good one David. =D> =D> =D>

Ina