List of Clan Septs and Dependents

The variety of surnames within a Scottish clan do not represent separate and definable sub-clans but instead reflect the vagaries of transition of the Gaels into the English naming system as well as marriages, migrations and occupations.  The main family itself may have developed a variety of surnames.   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 to call a name "a sept of Clan X".  "Sept" is actually a term borrowed from Irish culture in the nineteenth century to explain the use of a variety of surnames by members of a single clan.  Where Scots would say "MacGregor and his clan" and Irish historian might say "O'Neill and his sept". 

Note that while we have done our best to trace names associated with clans this list is not exhaustive and about the best source that we can find that can give a clue to clan associations is actually a book on tartan.  "Tartan for Me!" by Philip D. Smith (Now on the Eighth Edition) published by Heritage Books, Inc (ISBN:0-7884-0137-8) gives an exhaustive list of tartans that are associated with surnames.  By reading this book it may well give you a clue as to what clan your name is associated with.

Electric Scotland Note: Electric Scotland does not claim accuracy of any of our sept and family lists. This particular list came from a publication by an ex Lord Lyon. As the web has evolved and more access has been given to historical manuscripts and books new findings are always being made.  Let us remember that officially only the clan chief can state if a name is a sept of their clan but in practice many have just accepted previous lists handed down to them. And several that we contacted have been unable to state why all of the names are recognised as a sept of their clan. They may know some but often not all.

We also do not recognize any publication as being an accurate source of names connected with clans. Part of the reason for this is that the spelling of names is a major issue as when people moved around the world some were illiterate and thus the name was spelled as it sounded by the immigration department. Many were also Gaelic speakers and thus the spelling of such names was often incorrect as some letters in Gaelic are silent. People also make a decision as to how they want their name spelled for whatever reason. 

I will add some personal information here to illustrate the problem.  I always knew my mothers first name was Isobel although she was usually called Sybil.  On my coming to Canada I had to produce my mothers birth certificate and that was when I first found out that her first name was Isobela.  Likewise my Father's name was John Gilmour but again by getting his birth certificate I found out that his name was John with no Gilmour.  It turned out his mothers maiden name was Gilmour and he'd decided to add her name unofficially to his own. And in my own case my name of Alastair was mis-spelled by Canadian Immigration to Alistair.  I didn't spot the error until after I'd got my Driver's License, my Social Security Card and my Health Card.  To correct this I had to go back to Immigration to get them to change the spelling, and then had to visit the three other places to get it changed there as well. I can well see why folk just accepted a mis-spelling as being too much trouble to get it changed,

And so all we can offer is some guidance and we'd certainly recommend that you contact your own clan for specific information although as noted there is some question as to their own accuracy.

• Alphabetical list of Scottish names
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Clan Cameron
Chalmers, Kennedy, MacChlerich, MacChlery, MacFall, MacGillonie, Macildowie, MacKail, Maclerie, MacMartin, MacOnie, MacOurlic, MacPhail, MacSorley, MacUlric, Macvail, MacWalrick, Martin, Paul, Sorley, Taylor.

Clan Campbell
Bannatyne, Burns, Burnes, Burnett, Connochie, Denoon, Denune, Harres, Harris, Haws, Hawson, MacConnechy, MacConochie, MacGibbon, Macglasrich, MacIssac, MacIver, MacIvor, MacKellar, MacKessock, MacKissock, MacLaws, LacLehose, MacNichol, MacOran, MacOwen, MacPhedran, MacPhun, MacUre, Ure. Clan Campbell of Breadalbane: MacDiarmid, MacDermid. Clan Campbell of Cawdor: Caddell, Calder. Clan Campbell of Loudoun: Hastings, Loudoun.

Clan Colquhoun
Cowan, Cowen, Culchone, Ingram, Kilpatrick, King, Kirkpatrick, Laing, MacAchounich, MacLintock, MacMains, MacManus, MacOwan, Maccowan, MacClintock.

Clan Cumming
Buchan, Comine, Comyn, MacNiven, Niven, Russell.

Clan Davidson
Davie, Davis, Dawson, Dow, Kay, Macdade, Macdaid, MacDavid.

Clan Drummond
Grewar, Gruer, Maccrouther, Macgrewar, Macgrowther, Macgruder, Macgruther, MacRobbie.

Clan Farquharson
Barrie, Brebner, Christie, Coates, Coutts, Farquhar, Findlay, Findlayson, Finlay, Finlayson, Gracie, Greusach, Hardie, Hardy, Kellas, Lyon, MacCaig, MacCardney, Macartney, MacCuaig, MacEarachar, MacFarquhar, Machardie, Machardy, MacKerchar, MacKerracher, Mackindlay, Mackinlay, Paterson, Reoch, Riach, Tawse.

Clan Ferguson
Fergus, Ferries, Hardie, MacAdie, MacFergus, MacKerras, MacKersey.

Clan Forbes
Bannerman, Fordyce, Michie.

Clan Forrester
Forrester, Forester, Foristar, Forrister, Forrest, Forest, Forster, Forstar, Foster, Fostar, Corstorphine, Carstarphen

Clan Fraser
Bisset, Brewster, Cowie, Frew, Frissell, Frizell, Macgruer, Macimmey, MacKim, MacKimmie, MacShimes, MacSimon, MacSymon, MacTavish, Oliver, Sim, Sime, Simon, Simpson, Sims, Simson, Syme, Symon,  Twaddle, Tweedie.

Clan Gordon
Adam, Adamson, Addie, Adie, Addison, Aiken, Aitchison, Atkin, Atkins, Atkinson, Badenoch, Barrie, Connor, Connon, Craig, Cromb, Crombie, Cullen, Culane, Darg, Darge, Dorward, Duff, Durward, Eadie, Eddie, Edie, Edison, Esslemont, Garden, Gardiner, Gardner, Garioch, Garrick, Garroick, Geddes, Gerrie, Huntley, Huntly, Jessiman, Jopp, Jupp, Laing, Lang, Laurie, Lawrie, Leng, Ling, MacAdam, Mallett, Manteach, Marr, Maver, Meldrum, Mill, Mills, Milles, Miln, Milne, Milner, More, Morrice, Muir, Mylne, Steel, Teal, Tod, Todd, Troup.

Clan Graham
Airth , Allardice, Allardyce, Bonar, Bonnar, Bontein, Bontine, Buntain, Bunten, Buntine, Bunting, Graeme, Grahame, Grahym, Grim, Grymn, Hadden, Haldane, Macgibbon, Macgilvernock, Macgrime, Maharg, Menteith, Monteith, Pitcairn, Pye, Pyott.

Clan Grant
Allan, Allen, Bisset, Bissett, Bowie, Buie,
Gilroy, MacAllan, Macgilroy, MacIlroy, MacKerran, MacKiaran, MacKessock, Pratt and Suttie.

Clan Gunn
Gallie, Gaunson, Georgeson, Henderson, Jameson, Jamieson, Johnson, Kean, Keens, MacComas, MacCorkill, MacCorkle, MacIan, MacKames, MacKeamish, MacKean, MacRob, MacWilliam, Mann, Manson, Nelson, Robison, Robson, Sandison, Swanson, Williamson, Wilson.

Clan Hall
Halle, Haule, Haul, Hal, De Aula, Hale, Haw, Collingwood, Crispin, Fitz William, MacHall.

Clan Innes
Dinnes, Ennis, Innie, McRob, McTary, Marnoch, Mavor, Middleton, Mitchell, Reidfuird, Thain, Wilson.

Clan Keith
Achindachy, Astine, Aston, Austen, Austie, Austin, Cate, Dick, Dickson, Dickison, Dicson, Dixon, Dixson, Falconer, Falconor, Faulkner, Harvie, Harvey, Harvie, Hervey, Haxton, Hurrie, Hurry, Keath, Keech, Keeth, Kite, Lumgain, Lumgaine, Lumgair, MacDick, MacDicken(s), MacDickin(s), MacDickie, MacDicky, MacDickson, MacGeath, MacKeetch, MacKeeth, MacKeith, MacKeithan, MacKeth, Mackett, MacNeithan, Marshall, Urrie, Urry

Clan Kinnaird
Kinnard, Kynnard, Kennard, Kynharde, Kinzerd, Kinnart, Kynnart, Kynarde, Culbin

Clan Lamont
Black, Brown, Bourdon, Burdon, Lamb, Lambie, Lammie, Lamondson, Landers, Lemond, Limond, Limont, Lucas, Luke, Lyon, Macalduie, MacClymont, MacGilledow, MacGillegowie, Macilzegowie, Macilwhom, MacLamond, MacLucas, MacLymont, MacPatrick, MacPhorich, MacSorley, Meikleham, Patrick, Sorley, Toward, Towart, Turner, White.

Clan Leslie
Abernethy, Bartholomew, More.

Clan Lindsay
Crawford, Deuchar

Clan MacAllister
Alexander

Clan MacAulay
MacPhedron, MacPheidiran

Clan MacArthur
Arthur, MacCartair, MacCarter.

Clan MacBean
Bean, MacBeath, MacBeth, Macilvain, MacVean

Clan MacDonald
Beath, Beaton, Bethune, Bowie, Colson, Connall, Connell, Darroch, Donald, Donaldson, Donillson, Donnelson, Drain, Galbraith, Gilbride, Gorrie, Gowan, Gowrie, Hawthorn, Hewison, Houstoun, Howison, Hughson, Hutcheonson, Hutchinson, Hutchison, Isles, Kellie, Kelly, Kinnell, Mac a' Challies, MacBeth, MacBeath, MacBheath, MacBride, MacCaishe, MacCall, MacCash, MacCeallaich, MacCodrum, MacColl, MacConnell, MacCook, MacCooish, MacCrain, MacCuag, MacCuish, MacCuitein, MacCutcheon, MacDaniell, Macdrain, MacEachern, MacElfrish, MacElheran, MacGorrie, MacGorry, MacGoun, MacGowan, MacGown, MacHugh, MacHutchen, MacHutcheon, MacIan, Macilreach, Macilriach, Macilleriach, Macilrevie, Macilvride, Macilwraith, MacKean, MacKellachie, MacKellaig, MacKelloch, MacKiggan, MacKinnell, MacLairish, MacLardie, MacLardy, MacLarty, MacLaverty, MacLeverty, MacMurchie, MacMurdo, MacMurdoch, MacO'Shannaig, MacQuistan, MacQuisten, MacRaith, MacRorie, MacRory, MacRuer, MacRurie, MacShannachan, MacSorley, MacSporran, MacSwan, MacWhannell, Martin, May, Murchie, Murchison, Murdoch, Murdoson, O'Drain, O'May, O'Shannachan, O'Shaig, O'Shannaig, Purcell, Revie, Reoch, Riach, Rorison, Shannon, Sorley, Sporran, Train, Whannel. Clan MacDonald of Clanranald: Allan, Allanson, Currie, MacAllan, MacBurie, MacEachin, MacGeachie, MacGeachin, MacIssac, MacKeachan, Mackechnie, MacKeochan, MacKessock, MacKichan, MacKissock, MacMurrich, MacVarish, MacVurrich, MacVurie. Clan MacDonald of Ardnamurchan: Johnson, Kean, Keene. Clan MacDonald of Glencoe: Henderson, Johnson, Kean, Keene, MacHenry, MacIan, MacKean.

Clan MacDonell
Alexander, Sanderson. Clan MacDonnell of Keppoch: MacGillivantic, MacGilp, Macglasrich, MacKillop, MacPhilip, Philipson, Ronald, Ronaldson.

Clan MacDougall
Carmichael, Conacher, Cowan, Dougall, Dowall, Livingston, Livingstone, MacConacher, MacCowan, MacCoul, MacCulloch, MacDowall, MacDowell, MacDulothe, MacEwen, MacEwan, MacEowen, MacOwen MacHowell, MacKichan, MacLucas, MacLugash, MacLulich, MacNamell, Macoul, Macowl.

Clan MacDuff
Duff, Fife, Fyfe, Spence, Spens, Wemyss.

Clan MacFarlane
Allan, Allanson, Bartholomew, Caw, Galbraith, Griesck, Gruamach, Kinnieson, Lennox, MacAindra, MacAllan, MacCaa, MacCause, MacCaw, MacCondy, MacEoin, MacGaw, MacGeoch, Macgreusich, Macinstalker, MacIock, MacJames, Mackinlay, MacNair, MacNeur, MacNider, MacNiter, MacRob, MacRobb, MacWalter, MacWilliam, Miller, Monach, Napier, Parlane, Robb, Stalker, Thomason, Weaver, Weir.

Clan Macfie
Duffie, Duffy, MacGuffie, Machaffie

Clan MacGillivray
Gilroy, MacGillivour, MacGilroy, MacGilvra, MacGilvray, Macilroy, Macilvrae.

Clan MacGregor
Black, Caird, Comrie, Fletcher, Gregor, Gregorson, Gregory, Greig, Grewar, Grier, Grierson, Grigor, Gruer, King, Leckie, Lecky, MacAdam, Macara, Macaree, MacChoiter, Maccrouther, Macgrewar, Macgrowther, Macgruder, Macgruther, Macilduy, MacLeister, MacLiver, MacNee, MacNeish, MacNie, MacNish, MacPeter, Malloch, Neish, Nish, Peter, White, Whyte.

Clan Macinnes
Angus, MacAngus, MacCainsh, MacCansh, MacMaster.

Clan MacIntyre
Tyre, MacTear, Wright, McEntire

Clan MacKay
Bain, Bayne, MacCay, MacCrie, Macghee, Macghie, Mackee, Machie, MacPhail, Macquery, Macquoid, Macvail, Neilson, Paul, Polson, Williamson.

Clan MacKenzie
Kenneth, Kennethson, MacBeolain, MacConnach, MacIver, MacIvor, MacKerlich, MacMurchie, MacMurchy, MacVanish, MacVinish, Murchie, Murchison.

Clan MacKinnon
Love, Mackinney, Mackinning, Kackinvan, MacMorran.

Clan MacKintosh
Adamson, Ayson, Combie, Crerar, Dallas, Doles, Elder, Esson, Glen, Glennie, Hardie, Hardy, MacAndrew, MacAy, MacCardney, MacCombie, MacCombe, MacComie, M'Conchy, Macglashan, Machardie, Machardy, MacHay, Mackeggie, M'Killican, MacNiven, MacOmie, Macritchie, MacThomas, Niven, Noble, Paul, Ritchie, Seawright, Siveright, Shaw, Tarrill, Tosh, Toshach.

Clan MacLachlan
Ewan, Ewen, Ewing, Gilchrist, Lachlan, Lauchlan, MacEwan, MacEwen, MacGilchrist.

Clan MacLaren
McLaren, MacLaurin, MacLaurin, MacLauren, McLauren, McLarin, McCLarin, MacLaran, McLaran, MacLaruan, MacLeran, MacLaurie, McLaurie, Laurence, Lawrence, Law, Lawson, Low, Lowe, Lawrie, Laurie, Lowery, Lowry, Faed, Patterson, Paterson, Peterson, McPater, Patrick, MacPatrick, MacRory, McCrory, McGory, MacRuari, Wright, MacGrory, Peterkin and Borison.

Clan MacLean
Beath, Beaton, Black, Lean, MacBeath, MacBheath, MacBeth, Macilduy, MacLergain, MacRankin, MacVeagh, MacVey, Rankin.

Clan MacLennan
Gilfiman, Gillfiman, Gilfillian, Gilliland, Lagan, Laggan, Lenan, Lennan, Lennon, Leonard, Leonerd, Loban, Lobban, Logan, Loggan, Lyndon, MacAlenon, MacAlinion, MacAlinden, MacAlonan, MacClanachan, MacClanchan, MacClaron, MacClennen, MacClendon, MacGilillan, MacKilligan, MacLarnon, MacLenagan, MacLenahan, MacLenadhan, MacLenden, MacLendon, MacLennon, MacLernon, MacLoran, MacLorinan, MacLyndon, MacWilname, McClenaghan, McClendal, McClendas, McClendon, McLandon, McLendall, McLendon, McLennon, MackLenddon, MackClenden, MackLendin, MackLendon, MacLendall, Meclendon, Mclendon, Winan, Winning, and Winton.

Clan MacLeod
Clan MacLeod of Harris: Beaton, Bethune, Beton, MacCaig, MacClure, MacCrimmon, MacGuiag, MacHarold, Macraild, Norman. Clan MacLeod of Lewis: Callum, Lewis, MacAskill, MacAulay, MacCallum, MacCAskill, MacCorkindale, MacCorquodale, MacLewis, MacNicol, Malcolmson, Nicholl, Nicol, Nicoll, Nicholson, Nicolson, Tolmie.

Clan MacMillan
Baxter, Bell, Blue, Brown, Millikin/Mullikin, MacBaxter, MacNamell.

Clan MacNab
Abbot, Abbotson, Dewar, Gilfillan, Macandeoir

Clan MacNaughton
Ayson, Bissett, Easson, Ferguson, Henderson, Hendrie, Hendry, Henerdie, Henerdy, Henrie, Henry, Kendrich, Kendrick, Kinrick, MacAire, MacAirey, MacAirie, MacAiry, MacAnir, MacAry, MacAys, MacBrayn, MacBrayne, MacBreen, MacBrine, MacBrinn, MacCachren, MacCarhy, MacCarie, MacCarken, MacCarrie, MacCarry, MacCary, MacCavic, MacCavick, MacCeol, MacClackuon, MacCoal, MacColl, MacCrackan, MacCrackans, MacCracken, MacCracken, MacCrackens, MacCrackin, MacCrackin, MacCrackins, MacCracktin, MacCracktine, MacCraken, MacCratic, MacCratick, MacCrocken, MacCrocklin, MacEal, MacEel, MacFergusse, MacGrachin, MacGrattan, MacGratten, MacGrattin, MacGreachain, MacGreachan, MacHanvichar, MacHarrie, MacHarry, MacHendrie, MacHendry, MacHenrie, MacHenry, MacImery, MacImmery, MacInerie, MacInery, MacInrye, MacIntaylor, MacInterrie, MacInterry, MacIntrye, MacKay, MacKendrich, MacKendrick, MacKendricks, MacKenerick, MacKenerie, MacKenery, MacKindrick, MacKindricks, MacKinrick, MacKnatt, MacKneight, MacKnigh, MacKnight, MacKnot, MacKracherne, MacMath, MacMitt, MacNac, MacNachdan, MacNachtan, MacNachten, MacNachton, MacNack, MacNagen, MacNaghtan, MacNaghten, MacNaghtin, MacNaight, MacNair, MacNairy, MacNamell, MacNammill, MacNarie, MacNary, MacNatt, MacNattie, MacNatton, MacNatty, MacNauchton, MacNaugh, MacNaught, MacNaughtan, MacNaughten, MacNaughton, MacNayer, MacNayre, MacNear, MacNeid, MacNeight, MacNeir, MacNerie, MacNery, MacNet, MacNete, MacNett, MacNette, MacNetten, MacNetton, MacNeur, MacNevens, MacNevin, MacNevins, MacNight, MacNitt, MacNivan, MacNivans, MacNiven, MacNorton, MacNott, MacNought, MacNoughtan, MacNoughton, MacNoyer, MacNuir, MacNut, MacNutt, MacNuyer, MacPortland, MacQuaig, MacQuake, MacQuaker, MacRac, MacRack, MacRacken, MacRackin, MacRagan, MacRaggan, MacReachain, MacReachan, MacRuck, MacRucke, MacVicar, MacVickar, MacVickars, MacVicker, MacVickers, MacVig, MacVige, MacVrine, MacVryne, MacWaughton, MacYole, MacYoll, Manaugh, Mannice, Mannis, Mannise, Nachtan, Nachten, Nactan, Nacten, Naghton, Natton, Naughten, Naughtie, Naughton, Naughty, Nechtan, Nechten, Nectan, Necten, Nevin, Nevins, Nevinson, Niven, Nivens, Nivenson, Nought,  Nucater, Nucator, Nutt, Porter, Weir.

Clan MacNeil
MacNeilage, MacNeiledge, MacNelly, Neal, Neil, Neill.

Clan MacPherson
Currie, Fersen, Gillespie, Gillies, Gow, Lees, MacCurrach, MacGowan, MacLeish, LacLise, MacMurdo, MacMurdoch, MacMurrich, MacVurrich, Murdoch, Murdoson.

Clan MacQuarrie
MacCorrie, MacCorry, MacGorrie, MacGorry, MacGuaran, MacGuire, Macquaire, Macquhirr, Macquire, MacWhirr, Wharrie.

Clan MacQueen
MacCunn, MacSwan, MacSwen, MacSween, MacSwyde, Swan.

Clan MacRae
Macara, MacCraw, Macra, Macrach, MacRaith, MacRath, Rae.

Clan MacTavish
MacCamish, MacCash, MacCosh, MacLaws, MacLehose, MacTammany, MacTause, Stephenson, Steven(s), Stevenson, Stevenston, Stivan, Taweson, Tawesson, Thom, Thomson, Thompson, Thomas, Thomasin, Thomason, Thomassine. Thomazin, Thomerson, Thomes, Thompson, Thomson, Todd.

Tribe of Mar
Marr, Mair, Mairs, Morren, Strachan, Tough

Clan Mathieson
MacMath, MacPhun, Mathie.

Clan Maxwell
Adair, Blackstock, Dinwiddie, Dinwoddie,  Edgar, Herries, Kirk, Kirkland, Latimer, Latimore, Mackittrick, Maxton, Mescall, Monreith, Moss, Nithdale, Paulk, Peacock, Pollock, Pollok,  Polk, Sturgeon.

Clan Menzies
Dewar, Macindeor, MacMenzies, MacMinn, MacMonies, Means, Mein, Meine, Mennie, Meyners, Minn, Minnus, Monzie.

Clan Munro
Dingwall, Foulis, MacCulloch, MacLulich, Vass, Wass.

Clan Morrison
Brieve, Gilmore, MacBrieve

Clan Murray
MacMurray, Moray, Rattray, Small, Spalding

Clan Ogilvie
Airlie, Gilchrist, MacGilchrist, Milne

Clan Pentland
Pentlend, Paintland, Petland, Penland, Penlend, Petlend, Pendland.

Clan Robertson
Collier, Colyear, Dobinson, Donachie, Duncan, Duncanson, Dunnachie, Inches, MacConachie, MacConnechy, MacDonachie, Macinroy, MacIver, MacIvor, Maclagen, MacRobbie, MacRobie, MacRobert, Reid, Roy, Stark, Tonnochy

Clan Ross
Anderson, Andrew, Dingwall, Gillanders, MacAndrew, MacCulloch, MacLulich, MacTaggart, MacTear, MacTier, MacTire, Taggart, Vass, Wass

Clan Sinclair
Caird, Clouston, Clyne, Linklater, Mason

Clan Skene
Cariston, Dis, Dyce, Hallyard, Norie

Clan Stewart
Boyd, Garrow, Menteith, Monteith, Carmichael, Hunter, MacMichael. Stewart, Appin: Carmichael, Combich, Livingston, Livingstone, MacCombich, Mackinlay, Maclae, Maclay, Maclea, Macleay, MacMichael. Stewart, Atholl: Crookshanks, Cruickshank, Duilach, Gray, Macglashan Stewart Lennox: Howkins

Clan Sutherland
Cheyne, Federith, Gray, Keith, Mowat, Duffus

Clan Watson
Belboys, Boas, Boece, Boeis, Boes, Boess, Boice, Boiss, Boiste, Boos, Boost, Bos, Bouse, Boust, Bowayse, Bowes, Bowis, Bows, Bowys, Boyce, Boyes, Boyess, Boyis, Boys, Boyse, Boze, Buist, Buste, DeBosco, MacQuat, MacQuattie, MacQuhat, MacQwat, MacRowatt, MacWalter, MacWater, MacWatson, MacWatt, MacWatters, MacWattie, Vatsoun, Vod, Vode, Void, Voud, Voude, Vould, Walter, Walterson, Wasson, Waters, Waterson, Watson, Watsone, Watsoun, Watt, Wattie, Wattson, Wod, Wode, Wodde, Woid, Woide, Wood, Woyd, Wyatt.