clan history
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Why Do Scottish Surnames Start With Mac?
Why do Scottish surnames start with Mac? It’s a question we are often asked, so in this post, we hope to answer that question and more relating to Scottish surnames. In brief, the prefix Mac comes from the Gaelic word meaning “son of”. It was originally used to identify a person as the son of…
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Scottish Septs: Understanding How Some Surnames Belong to Larger Clans
What Are Scottish Septs? In Scotland, many surnames are connected to larger clans as what are called septs. A sept is a family or group of families who may not share the same surname as the clan chief but historically owed allegiance to the clan. Septs were often smaller branches of a clan, families living…
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Historical Gifts for History Buffs
Historical Gifts: Uncovering the Stories Behind Coats of Arms and Surname Origins Finding the right gift for a history buff can feel difficult, especially if you want something thoughtful, personal, and memorable. Many people enjoy gifts that connect them with heritage, family stories, famous events, or traditional craftsmanship. This guide explores historical gifts for history…
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The image, history and reality of Scotland’s famous clans
We thank our friends at Scotland Magazine for providing this fascinating article about the image, history and reality of Scotland’s famous clans. Scotland Magazine is a bi-monthly publication for all who love Scottish culture, travel and history. As such, they are experts in their field and we are grateful to them for this contribution. Scotland’s…
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Planning a Clan Gathering?
Planning a Clan Gathering takes some organisation and is a great opportunity for you to meet other family members, share history and have a good get together. Have you ever thought about organising a Family or Clan Gathering? The task can seem a daunting one, but here at Hall of Names, we regularly speak to…