What was and is a Sept?

The Wikipedia article [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sept] states …

in the context of Scottish clans, septs are families that followed another family's chief. These smaller septs would then comprise, and be part of, the chief's larger clan. A sept might follow another chief if two families were linked through marriage; or, if a family lived on the land of a powerful laird, they would follow him whether they were related or not. Bonds of manrent were sometimes used to bind lesser chiefs and his followers to more powerful chiefs.

And again, in Scotclan.com’s “What's A Sept?” [http://www.scotclans.com/my_clan_shop/whats_a_sept.html]

These were large and powerful families within a Clan. They did not share the native surname but in some cases their heads could be as powerful as the Chief himself. Smaller Clans could also bond together for protection, forming a larger confederation. The Clan Chattan, made up from several smaller member Clans was an example of this.

In the 19th century, the renewed enthusiasm for clans, fostered by both the tartan manufacturers and the Clan Societies (for their own reasons), resulted in attributing as many names as possible to particular clans as septs - too often with stretched and/or ludicrous results. Examples claiming relation by virtue of sharing a region (of Lanarkshire) or town (“de Moffat” or “of Moffat”, for example) where anyone coming from the same place might use the descriptive, related or not, are indefensible. Similarly, it is laughable to think that all Smiths should belong to Clan Macpherson or all Taylors should belong to Clan Cameron or all Millers to Clan Macfarlane when it is clear these were work or trade names found in practically every community in Scotland.

As many names as possible were attached to the well-known clans -- often without real justification and sometimes based on lively imagination and wishful thinking or on a single recorded instance (ex: Angus Maxwell was a tenant of the Earl of Douglas, 1389) -- so that all holders of the name without a clan name of their own could connect to a Scottish clan and thus feel “entitled” to its tartan. In this way, Clan Societies gained members and prestige and the tartan manufacturers gained product sales.

Our own list of septs is by no means perfect; it is quite likely some names included on our list were based more on 19th century renewal enthusiasm than on historical accuracy and it is just as likely that the surnames of many loyal followers of the Douglas Chiefs have not been included.

Looking through a more modern lens, septs are a recruitment tool for modern Clan Societies and the means to an end for Scottish industries … although this view does not and should not diminish the sense of belonging one has to a particular House or Clan; the sentiments and passions expressed in belonging are very real. What such a view, sentiments, and passions do provide is a simple explanation for the controversies sure to arise as more and more surnames form their own Clan Societies.

Our Septs and Allied Families

Here you will find a list of septs associated with Clan Douglas and information about when and why the surname was selected by CDSNA to be a sept.  Other Sept names may be added if proof of valid and historical connection with Douglas Clan is accepted. Many of these names have more than one spelling variation. 

Much of the information presented here is based on a three year (2008-2011) research project, The Septs of Clan Douglas, undertaken by Kansas/Missouri Regent Harold Edington. 

Click on the sept names to discover more information!  If you wish to add or correct any information presented, email Harold Edington.  [See the Regents page for Harold's email address.]