Of Clan Chiefs, Chieftains, Coat of Arms, and the Diaspora

Well, I must admit that I learn something new about the Scots just about every day.  Recently, it was noted that someone had blogged that their husband was the “… current President and Chieftain of our clan…” which prompted some quick research to ensure that I hadn’t missed anything in the world of all things Clan MacFarlane.  I was also about to write a short blog about Clan MacFarlane’s status as an armigorous clan, to mean we have no chief, etc.  However, I have learned that this term is incorrect and created but a short 20 years ago by a couple of authors.  Odd.  Isn’t there a Council of Armigorous Clans?  Yes.  How does this stuff happen?

So, let me share some information that I have just recently been taught, and I’ll also include my own thoughts.  My information comes by way of Dr. Bruce Durie, noted scholar, author, geneaologist, and much more.  In fact, here are his credentials:  BSc (Hons) PhD OMLJ FCollT FIGRS FHEA QG Genealogist, Author, Broadcaster, Lecturer Shennachie to the Chief of Durie Right of Audience at the Court of the Lord Lyon Academician, Académie internationale de généalogie.  To say that he is my “go to” for definitive information on heraldry and all things dealing with Clan Chiefs, etc., is certainly a gross understatement.                          

First – Does Clan MacFarlane have a Chief?  No – nope.  Our last Clan Chief was Walter.  He was the 20^thClan Chief.  He passed away in 1767, and since that time there has been speculation as well as research on the line.  But no, we do not currently have a Clan Chief.

Second – Does Clan MacFarlane have a Chieftain?  No – although I was once an “honorary chieftain” for the Highland Games in Wellington, Ohio.  A Chieftain is expected to be recognized through the Lord Lyon Court.  To date, this is not the case for Clan MacFarlane.  There are currently 2 organizations in the United States under the name of Clan MacFarlane, and one in Australia. (There could be other organizations, but I am not aware of them at this time.)  Both the Clan MacFarlane Society and the Clan MacFarlane Worldwide are incorporated in the United States.  Clan MacFarlane Worldwide is a 501c3 corporation (non-profit), and the Clan MacFarlane Society, as of this writing, no longer holds the status as a 501c3 per the IRS.  (See this IRS page link: )  

So to the young woman proudly professing her husband to be the current President and Chieftain… I know that In my home state of Kansas, we can call ourselves anything we like (such as Minnie Mouse), but in the world of Scottish heraldry, this is taken quite seriously.

Third – Are there official Clan MacFarlane Coat of Arms?  Yes and No.  Directing you to Dr. Durie’s website on acquiring  an official and legal Coat of Arms, please see this link:  http://www.brucedurie.co.uk/downloads/Heraldry-booklet.pdf

Also, how to acquire a corporate Coat of Arms information from the Society of Scottish Armigers:  http://www.scotarmigers.net/info-leaflet-4.htm

In 1997, Clan MacFarlane Society, Incorporated, received their corporate Coat of Arms.  The Certificate presented to Clan MacFarlane Society states “Know Ye Therefore the we have devised and Do By These Presents Assign, Ratify and confirm unto the Petitioners Clan MacFarlane Society, Incorporated the following Ensigns, Armorial as depicted upon the margin hereof, and matriculated of even date with These Presents upon the 22^nd page of the 81^st Volume of our Public Register of All Arms and bearings in Scotland, videlicet: -- Argent…. The said Society is, amongst all Nobles and in all Places of Honour, to be taken, numbered, and received as a Society Noble in the Noblest of Scotland…”

This is a copy of the Certificate available from a simple web search:  

 So, even as a corporation, you can be endowed with a Corporate Coat of Arms.  Does this mean you are the one and only “official” organization?  While it certainly is quite the achievement to have paid for the Corporate Arms, it is by no means an indication that you are the one and only official organization.  In fact, the MacFarlane organization in Australia as well as Clan MacFarlane Worldwide can seek corporate arms, just like any corporation.  

And as an aside, I am trained as an attorney in the United States.  I was fortunate to work for Westlaw, a division of Thomson Reuters.  I taught legal research to law students, faculty, staff and judges.  That also provided me access to the laws of other countries.  I did have access to court records from the Lord Lyon.  I found it was interesting that as the Lord Lyon could “giveth” the Lord Lyon could also “taketh away.”  Bad behavior could be reason for the Lord Lyon to rescind a Coat of Arms.  Food for thought.  Right?

So yes, the Clan MacFarlane can have a Coat of Arms, but it is a beautiful item that should be displayed quite visibly for all to see.  However, it is not the “golden ticket” that some might have you think.

Finally – Let’s explore the Diaspora

I understand that some might refer to the Diaspora as something that connote only harsh times for the Scots. Connected with the history of the clearances of Scotland in the mid to late 18^th century and forward in time, the word Diaspora can bring a sad feeling.  Many families were torn apart and sent to the 4 corners of the world.  For Scotland, that might be Ireland, Australia, the Colonies, and Canada.  And indeed, it was harsh.  https://www.britannica.com/event/Highland-Clearances  But I prefer to look at the Diaspora as spreading of the wealth of the Scottish culture.  Many of the founding fathers for the United States were Scotsmen.  

Today, we welcome MacFarlanes who have reached out to CMW via facebook,  from all corners of the globe.  So I like the richness of the culture as it has spread to others and been shared across the globe.  I have friends in South America, New Zealand, Japan, Spain as well as Scotland, Canada and more.  

And the term Diaspora is not a term for just Scotland.  Do a search online, and the Diaspora is used to discuss any culture that has been cast far and wide:  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diaspora  

I chose the name “Diaspora” for our blog simply because I liked the idea that the Scottish culture had indeed been spread around the globe.  And my hope is that as we continue to explore our culture, we can see the continued impact the Scots have had even in the far reaches of our world.

And with that…. We have answered all our questions:

No Clan Chief, No Clan Chieftain, We are not really armigorous, we just don’t have a Clan Chief.  We can obtain a Coat of Arms, and that is an ongoing discussion for Clan MacFarlane Worldwide, and perhaps the Society in Australia.  And finally, we are all part of the Diaspora with our feet across the globe and our hearts in Scotland.

Marie