The preferred modern usage is to avoid the use of the
term “sept” and to
simply describe these names as what they are--surnames of
the family and of
allied or dependent families. It is preferable to
speak of “The names and
families of Clan X rather than to call a name “A sept
of Clan X.” (A number
of clans prefer to use the word “cousins” when
referring to members of
their
clan.)
Surnames
and Clan Membership
It does not automatically follow that an ancestor was a member
of a
particular clan because his surname is associated with that clan.
It is
possible that the ancestor actually belonged to an entirely different
clan or
perhaps to no clan at all. This could be because of marriage,
name changes,
family problems, or a variety of other reasons. However,
lacking any
specific information about where the ancestor(s) lived one may
conclude
that it is possible or even probable that they were members of that
particular
clan.
It has been our experience that virtually every clan and clan
society
welcomes anyone who has reason to believe they have an
ancestral
connection to that clan. No one is required to provide any
proof of that
connection. Indeed, in most cases membership is offered
to anyone who
has a desire to join, regardless of their actual
ancestry. Scots are some of
the most welcoming
people in the world.
Spelling
Widespread literacy is a comparatively
recent phenomenon. In the
nineteenth century illiteracy was common; in
the eighteenth century a
literate person was the exception; in the sixteenth
century one who could read
and write was rare. Thus, while an
individual would certainly know his
name, he might not notice, recognize--or
even care--when a government
or church official incorrectly spelled it in
some document. Add to this,
normal misunderstandings, typographical
errors, unfamiliarity with accents
and foreign languages and it's easy to see
why a name could be spelled in so
many different ways in old documents.
For example, in one family the name
“MacGowan” has been spelled “Macgowen,”
“Megoin,” “Magowne,”
“Magound,” “McGowan,” “Mc Gowen,” and “MacGowan.”
Thus, when
researching names one should consider different possible spellings
as well
as variations in pronunciation.
A Note on "Mac" or "Mc" and
"O'"
Mac is Gaelic for “son” and is the
most common element of Scottish and
Irish surnames. However, it is a
common misconception that “Mac” is
Scottish and “Mc” is Irish. In fact
“Mac,” “Mc,” and even just “M'” are
used interchangeably. As mentioned
above, spelling was a very fluid
process and until very recently people
showed little concern for consistency. A little research will quickly
dispel the myth that one can distinguish an Irish name from a Scottish one by
the use of “Mac” or “Mc."
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