Septs of Clan Chattan

Because of the federal structure of Clan Chattan, its "septs" represent the surnames of the constituent member clans and their associated families. Instead of a single bloodline, these families joined the confederation through different historical dynamics: blood relations (the core clans prior to the 1291 marriage), cadet branches (springing from the Mackintosh line), and allied clans who sought protection.

1. Surnames of the Blood Clans ("Old Clan Chattan")

These clans descend directly from the original Chattan line prior to the historic Mackintosh marriage of 1291.

  • Macpherson (Clann Mhuirich): The "Sons of the Parson" descend from Muireach Cattanach, a 12th-century lay Parson of Kingussie in Badenoch. Under Robert the Bruce, they were granted the lands of Badenoch after helping to destroy the rival Clan Comyn.
    • Clark / Clarke / Clarkson / Clerk: Occupational names derived from the Gaelic Cléireach (cleric or scribe). These families served as the traditional scribes of the confederation and took protection under Clan Chattan around 1400.
    • Gow / Gowan / Smith: Occupational names derived from Gobha (blacksmith or armourer). This sept is historically connected through the legend of Henry Wynd ("Gow Crom"), the brawny blacksmith of Perth who fought for the under-strength Clan Chattan at the North Inch in 1396.
    • Currie / MacCurrich / MacVurich: This name represents the anglicization of MacMhurrich (the descendants of Murdoch/Muirich), who served as the classical bardic dynasty to the Macphersons.
    • Cattanach: Literally translating to "one of the cat", this is one of the oldest surnames directly linked to the original blood stock.
  • Davidson (Clann Dhaibhidh): Descended from David Dubh, possibly a son of one of the early Chattan chiefs. They officially sought the protection of Clan Chattan in the 14th century following the downfall of the Comyns.
    • Davie / Davis / Davison / Dawson / Davey / Dea / Dean / Deans / Deason / Dey / Dow: Sept names representing various patronymics, short forms, and phonetic variations of the name "David".
    • Kay / Key: Names traditionally linked to "Clan Kay", the historic opponents of Clan Chattan at the Battle of the North Inch.
  • MacBean (Clann Bheathain): Originating in Lochaber, they moved to Petty in the 14th century, seeking the protection of the Mackintosh chief after slaying the Red Comyn’s steward.
    • Bain / Bean / McBain / McBeath / MacBeth / Macilvian / MacVean: Traditional variants, spellings, and direct offshoots of the MacBean bloodline.
  • MacPhail (Clann Phail): "Sons of Paul", likely descended from Paul Cattanach of Lochaber. They migrated east to Strathnairn after the 1291 marriage.
    • McFall / McFaul / McFell / MacVail / MacVale / Paul / Paull: Phonetic shifts and Gaelic-influenced variations of the name "Paul".

2. Surnames of the Mackintosh Cadet Branches

These branches emerged from the younger sons of the Chiefs of Clan Mackintosh, expanding the confederation's power.

  • Mackintosh (Clann an Toisich): The stem-family of the confederation's later leadership. Founded by Shaw Macduff, son of the Earl of Fife, who was made Constable of Inverness Castle around 1163. The Gaelic Mac an Toiseach translates to "son of the Thane" or "leader".
    • Crerar: A sept linked to a specific historical escape. A Mackintosh from Monzievaird, fleeing royal justice, was hidden in a mill at Acharn by a quick-witted miller who disguised him with flour and a sieve (criathar in Gaelic). He was forever after called "An Criathrar" ("The Sifter").
    • Dallas / Doles: Descended from the Barony of Dallas in Moray, they settled in Petty and historically followed the banner of Mackintosh.
    • Tosh / Toshach: Direct anglicizations of Toiseach.
  • Shaw (Clann Ay): Descended from John, the second son of Angus and Eva. Their early chiefs held lands in Rothiemurchus, but after losing them to the Grants, the senior line re-established themselves at Tordarroch in Strathnairn.
    • Ayson / Adamson / Esson / MacAy / MacHay / Shiach: Anglicized and patronymic forms of Shaw/Ay.
  • Farquharson (Clann Fhionnlaigh): Descended from Farquhar Shaw, 4th son of Alexander, 3rd Shaw of Rothiemurchus, who married the heiress of Invercauld on Deeside.
    • Brebner: A descriptive sept name meaning "foreigner" or "brave".
    • Coutts / Hardie / Hardy / Paterson / Patterson / Riach: Families closely associated geographically and politically with the Farquharsons of Deeside.
  • MacThomas: Take their name from Thomas (Tomaidh Mòr—"Big Tommy"), a grandson of William, 8th Chief of Clan Chattan. To escape overcrowding within the confederation, he led his followers across the Grampians from Badenoch to Glenshee in the 15th century.
    • McComie / McColm / McComas / McCombie / McComish: Phonetic variations of Thomas/Tommy used by the branch in Glenshee.

3. Allied Clans of Protection

These were independent "stranger" clans who formally placed themselves under the wing of the Captain of Clan Chattan for mutual defense.

  • MacGillivray (Clann Ghillebhraith): Meaning "son of the servant of judgment", they were the very first "allied clan" to seek protection under the Mackintoshes around 1268. Originally from Mull and Morvern, they were dispersed by Alexander II in 1222 and later established their core seat at Dunmaglass in Strathnairn.
    • Gilroy / MacGilroy / MacGilvra / Macilroy / Macilvrae: Direct variations and associated surnames of the MacGillivrays.
  • Macleans of Dochgarroch (Clann Thearlaich): A branch of the western Macleans of Lochbuie. Led by Tearlach [Charles] Maclean, Constable of Urquhart Castle, they sought protection within Clan Chattan after the Battle of Harlaw in 1411.
    • Auchaneson / Gillan / Gillon / Gilzean / Lean: Surnames of associated families who settled with the Macleans of Dochgarroch near Inverness.
  • MacQueen (Clann Shuibhne / Clann Reven): A branch of an ancient Skye clan. They joined the Chattan Confederation in the 15th century after the marriage of Mora Macdonald of Moidart to Calum Beg Mackintosh, 10th of Mackintosh. A wedding attendant named Reven (Roderic mac Milmor vic Swen) settled at Corrybrough in Strathdearn, where his descendants adopted the name MacQueen.
    • MacCunn / MacSwan / MacSween / MacSwen / Swan: Surnames reflecting the clan’s Hebridean roots.
  • MacIntyres of Badenoch (Clan Inteir): Admitted as the sixteenth and final sept of the confederation in 1496. The progenitor was a notable bard from Appin who joined the Mackintosh chief during a campaign in the west and was taken under his protection. His descendants proliferated in Upper Strathspey, serving as hereditary bards and pipers to the Chattan clans.
    • Wright / Tyre / MacTear / McEntire: Standard occupational and anglicized translations of Mac an t-Saoir ("son of the carpenter/wright").

Stories & Legends

1. The Judicial Combat at the North Inch of Perth (1396)

One of the most famous and bizarre episodes in Scottish history took place on the playing fields of the North Inch of Perth. A bloody and relentless feud between the Chattan Confederation and a rival clan (traditionally recorded as "Clan Kay", which was likely a faction of either the Davidsons or Camerons) had thrown the entire Highlands into violent lawlessness. To end the slaughter, King Robert III and his court arranged a formal trial by combat: thirty champions from each side would fight to the death with broadswords, bows, and axes.

On the morning of the battle, as the royal entourage watched from the grandstand, it was discovered that Clan Chattan was one man short—they had only 29 champions. Refusing to withdraw a man from their own line, the opponents waited while the Chattan chief offered a gold crown to anyone who would fill the gap. Henry Smith (familiarly styled "Gow Crom", meaning "the bandy-legged blacksmith"), a local harness-maker of Perth, stepped forward and accepted.

The clash was a brutal exhibition of hand-to-hand combat. The blacksmith killed his opponent early on, then stood to the side. When the Chattan chief yelled to ask why he had stopped, the smith replied that he had fulfilled his bargain by killing his man. The chief shouted back that the more he killed, the higher his reward would be. Gow Crom re-entered the fray with absolute fury. At the battle's end, only eleven of the Chattan champions (including Henry Smith) survived, while only one opponent remained alive. Realizing he was doomed, the sole survivor leapt into the River Tay and swam to safety, handing the victory to Clan Chattan. Henry Smith was brought back to Badenoch as a hero, establishing the Smith and Gow names as an honored sept of the confederation.

2. Colonel Anne and the Rout of Moy (1746)

During the Jacobite Rising of 1745, the Chief of Clan Mackintosh, Angus, held a captain’s commission in the Government's Black Watch regiment. However, his 22-year-old wife, Lady Anne Farquharson-Mackintosh, was a passionate Jacobite. In her husband's absence and against his strict orders, she rode out and raised 800 kinsmen to fight for Prince Charles Edward Stuart, earning herself the enduring nickname "Colonel Anne".

In February 1746, the Prince stayed at the Mackintosh seat of Moy Hall. Hearing of this, the Government's Lord Loudon marched from Inverness under the cover of darkness with 1,500 troops to capture the Prince and secure the massive bounty on his head. Loudon's approach was spotted by Jacobite sympathizers, and word reached Moy.

Unwilling to panic the Prince, Colonel Anne quietly sent the local blacksmith, Donald Fraser, and four kinsmen to patrol the road. As Loudon’s vanguard of 1,500 men approached in the pitch black, the five men hid in the peat bogs along the road. They fired their muskets rapidly and ran through the heather, shouting out the war cries of the Macphersons, the Macdonalds, and the Lochiel Camerons as if the entire Jacobite army was charging. Terrified that they had stumbled into a massive ambush, Loudon’s troops panicked and fled. The retreat was so chaotic that Loudon's army didn't stop running until they reached Sutherland, 70 miles away. This legendary bluff became known as the "Rout of Moy".

Tartan & Dress

Members of the various septs and associated families of Clan Chattan are entitled to wear two distinct categories of tartan depending on their ancestral branch:

1. The Clan Chattan Tartan

For those who wish to express their overall allegiance to the confederation, there is a specific Clan Chattan Tartan (Ancient and Modern setts). This tartan, historically known as Mackintosh Chief, was officially recognized by the Lord Lyon King of Arms in 1938. This sett was historically acknowledged as the official Clan Chattan tartan by Sir Aeneas Mackintosh in 1816. It features a vibrant arrangement of red, blue, green, and yellow stripes.

2. Individual Clan Tartans

Because the Chattan Confederation is a union of distinct, independent clans, sept members may also wear the tartans associated with their specific branch clan. For example:

  • Descendants of the Macpherson septs (Clarks, Gows, Curries) are entitled to wear the famous Macpherson Red, Hunting, or Dress tartans.
  • Descendants of Davidson septs (Dawsons, Davies) wear the Davidson tartans.
  • Farquharson and Shaw descendants wear the historic setts of their respective cadet lines.
  • Other allied septs, such as those of the MacGillivrays, Macbeans, and Macphails, are entitled to the distinct family setts registered under their respective names.

References & Sources

  1. Alexander MacBain, M.A., "The Chiefship of Clan Chattan" (Inverness Field Club, 1895).
  2. Charles Fraser-Mackintosh, LL.D., An Account of the Confederation of Clan Chattan: Its Kith and Kin (John Mackay, 1898).
  3. A. M. Mackintosh, The Mackintoshes and Clan Chattan (Edinburgh, 1903).
  4. Frank Adam (Revised by Sir Thomas Innes of Learney), The Clans, Septs, and Regiments of the Scottish Highlands (W. & A. K. Johnston, Ltd., 1955/1970).
  5. George Way of Plean and Romilly Squire, Collins Scottish Clan & Family Encyclopedia (HarperCollins, 1994).
  6. The Clan Chattan Association, Official Website and Touch Not Magazines (1933-2026).
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