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."
Continued . . .
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