SEPT/SECT: "A BODY OF PEOPLE, sharing religious, philosophic or political opinions, who have broken away from a larger body (often used as a term of disapproval)". This of course is a modern explanation of the old Gaelic word "SEPT" seen so often in Scottish history. In the Ancient days of our Scottish culture, when a man looked for a place to provide shelter and food for his family he would just set up a type of shelter but, what defense did he have against other men who would attempt to rob and plunder for they were violent days, how could one man provide the shelter, the food and, the safety for his wife and children. The answer was to live on a piece of land with the permission of the laird. Thus, he would have the use of a small plot of land to grow what he could, or near a Loch or seaside for fish. His payment to the Laird would be a small amount of his harvest or catch or whatever, and to get the lairds protection against raiding mobs, in turn he had to, at the command of the laird, add his claymore against any enemies of the laird whenever the laird called his people "to arms" In the days that we speak about, it was a way of life, Clan fueds, marauding raiding parties' etc. They were hard times all over Scotland but perhaps more so in the Highlands where the soil was not of the quality for growing a crop, not the fertile lands to the east in Perthshire, as an example. Yes, the Highland race were hardy people, but one man against a mob of men, had no chance therefore, the protection from the landowner was of great importance. This was know as "paying allegiance to the landowner. Obviously, most of the landowners were chiefs of clans and the Highlander that we are using as the example, who only wanted to provide the best he could for hie family, was considered apart of that clan who ever the landowner was chief of. If we use the name Alexander MacTamhais as the name of said Highlander and the laird in our example as, Earl of Argyll ( Campbell Chief at that time, (we could just as easy, reverse the names , the Highlander's name was John Campbell and the laird was Dougall MacTamhais) than it could be said that the Alexander MacTamhais, as well as the John Campbell, would be paying allegiance to the Clan of that Chief, not that all of the name MacTamhais or all of the name Campbell, were paying allegiance, but those two individuals ,that we use for example. Many Highland families beginning at an early stage, left the lands of their birth in search of an easier way to provide for their family. Many left the western Highlands and took up residence in many different areas. In our Clan history, many MacTavishes in fact did move to the east, to the more fertile lands of Perthshire, also, to the northern islands and again, south, to the border country as well as Strathclyde, in search of an easier and better way of life. Many clansmen of one clan moved onto anther clans land and paid the yearly fee, from their produce but more important to the new clan, it was an extra claymore for the use of that chief. I would think that there were men of all clans, who branched out and paid allegiance to another Chief, BUT, this did not mean that all men of that name were connected to that clan. At the same time, there was much inter marriage between clans, But again, this did not mean that, Marion Campbell who married Chief Eoin MacTamhais, August 7, 1651, and, Bessie Campbell who married the next Chief, Donald MacTamhais in 1657, would allow me to say, ALL Campbell's are my sept. Unfortunately today, these things are being used by some clans. I am not sure if the reason is, that higher numbers in memberships make that clan feel greater or, is it because there are more dues to be paid, perhaps both reason apply. In my clans case, I fully realize that not every single Thom(p)son in the world is 'blood line' to MacTavish however, the Gaelic MacTamhais is, 'Son of Thomas'. This appears in the "Surnames of Scotland" as well as in Frank Adam "Clans Septs and Regiments of the Scottish Highlands" as well as other Scottish works, that the Scottish name Thom(p)son is derived from MacTamhais, (MacTavish). Today, we find that many Clans and North American Clan Societies, seem to think that all of 'that' name, are part of them, rather than the fact that, a man by the name of MacTamhais worked the land in Perthshire, being part of Fraser of Lovat land, that ALL MacTamhais today are their sept. This is quite silly, in fact so silly, that the Court of the Lord Lyon does not entertain involvement in SEPT's of clans.. The Standing Council of Scottish Chiefs, perhaps should be the body to approach this modern mayhem, but, alas, no. And so, we go to Scottish games and events here in North America and at times one can find two, three and sometimes more, Clan tents listing that the same name ,"belongs" to them when, in reality, no one belongs to anyone, it is determined by blood, not marriage, not political but, by blood. A person can join any clan they wish, in fact, one can join as many Clan societies they wish to, just pay the dues, and there you are! As Sir Thomas Innes of Learney put it in the revisions that he undertook on, Frank Adam "Clan Septs and Regiment of the Scottish Highlands" Quote, you may join as many clans as you wish, but, you are truly only a member of one. I do hope this will clear up some of the confusion that is caused by clans and clan societies that continually make use of names with out explaining the facts. I would welcome any questions on this subject Connected names and septs: MacCash, MacCosh, MacCamish, MacLaws, MacLehose, MacTammany, MacTause, Stevenson, Steven(s), Stephen(s), Stephenson, Stevenston, Stivan , Thomazin, Tawesson, Thomerson, Thom, Thomas, Thomes, Thomason, Thomasin, Thompson, Todd, Thomson, Thomassine, MacTammany, Campbell, Fraser .