Clan MacLeod
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Clan MacLeod is a Scottish clan.
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Origins of the name MacLeod
Scottish clans are family groups. This Clan claims descent from Leod. Leod was a son of Olaf, King of Man and Northern Isles. Leod was the first chief and gave the patronymic McLeod or MacLeod meaning "sons of Leod".
Leod held Uist, Harris, Lewis and much of Skye due to his marriage, his father, grandfather and stepfather's connections. He died around 1280 and was buried on the holy island of Iona.
Leod had two sons, Norman and Torquil. Norman was the MacLeod of MacLeod and Harris and Dunvegan while Torquil was the progenitor of the MacLeods of Lewis.
Norman is believed to have fought with Bruce at the battle of Bannockburn.
The clan holds the legendary Fairy Flag at Dunvegan Castle.
The protagonists of the Highlander films and series are both MacLeods.
Crests & Tartans
Clansmen are identified through the MacLeod clansman's badge, worn as badges or brooches, and by which their loyalty is identified. The badge of MacLeod of MacLeod bears the motto 'HOLD FAST', while that of MacLeod of Lewis is I Burn While I See. The badges do not show a separation of clanship, but rather a togetherness, and a shared loyalty to one another.
Clansman's badges are often referred to as "crests" or "clan crests", even though this isn't strictly accurate. A crest is the part of the Arms, worn upon a helmet. The actual crest is the centre part of the badge, the part surrounded by the strap-and-buckle. It is the "twist" (called a "torse") under the crest that attaches to the helmet.
Of course, only proper armigers (people authorised Arms by the Lord Lyon, King of Arms) are allowed to wear the crest alone - in our case, the Chiefs of MacLeod.
A bit about Arms - in Scotland, Arms belong to one person, and one person only - there is no such entity as a "Family Coat of Arms." Using someone's Arms without the permission of that person is quite punishable under the law, and known as "Usurping Arms." Not only morally and socially reprehensible, displaying someone's Arms could result in significant legal issues. MacLeod clansmen are permitted to wear the "Clansman's Badge", consisting of the crest portion of the Chief's Arms, surrounded by a strap and buckle indicating that the wearer is not in fact the Chief, but beholden to him.
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Missing image Harris_.gif Image:harris_.gif | Missing image Lewis_.gif Image:lewis_.gif |
| MacLeod of Harris | MacLeod of Lewis (Lewes) |
| "Hold Fast" | "I Birn Quhil I Se" |
MacLeod of Harris Septs
| BEATON | MACANDIE | MACLURE |
| BETHUNE | MACCAIG | MACRAILD |
| BETON | MACCLURE | MACWILLIAM |
| GRIMOND | MACCRIMMON | NORMAN |
| HAROLD | MACCUAIG | NORMAND |
| HARROLD | MACHAROLD | WILLIAMSON |
MacLeod of Lewis Septs
| ASKEY | MACASKIE | MACCORQUODALE |
| AULAY | MACASKILL | MACGILLECHALLUM |
| CALLAM | MACAULAY | MACKASKILL |
| CALLUM | MACCALLUM | MACLEWIS |
| CASKIE | MACCASKILL | NORIE |
| MACCABE | MACCORKINDALE | NORRIE |
| MACALLUM | MACCORKLE |
External links
- Clan Nicolson Genealogy (http://gene.nicolson.biz)
- Clan MacLeod Official Site (http://www.clan-macleod.com/theclan.html)