The word 'clan' simply means 'children'. Clan members [families] were related by blood or marriage, whereas Septs were families who lived within a  territory of a Clan and were accepted by the Clan Chief as part of his Clan. The Scots used the name 'Clans' to designated their family members, while in Ireland the term 'Sept' was used to designate family members. In later years, both terms were used in Scotland, one to show family association, the other to show those who gained recognition from a particular Clan Chief as part of the Clan.

          A Clan is a family who were all once connected under a head, who was/is called the Clan Chief. Example: Supposing that a man named 'Angus MacPhearson' was the chief of the MacPhearson Clan who once controlled a certain geographical area in Scotland. In his territory lived many of his family members, who were called a Clan, as well as several families not related by blood or marriage, called Septs. Family members and their descendants within the MacPhearson Clan would always belong to the MacPhearson Clan no matter where they lived, but the unrelated Septs, when relocating, would oftentimes seek out new Clans in which to be associated. The individual Chief of any particular Clan determined the recognition of any said Sept living within his territory.

          A Sept is a family who was not related to the Clan by blood or marriage, but lived within the territory of the Clan Chief. The Sept families choose to give allegiance to the Clan Chief in turn for protection under his banner. Many unrelated Septs changed location over the years and may be found listed under several different Clans, depending on the territory in which they lived, and whether or not the Chief of that particular Clan recognized the people as a Sept of his Clan. 

Clan Cameron
Clark, Clarke, Chalmers, Kennedy, MacChlerich, MacChlery, MacFall, MacGillonie, Macildowie, MacKail, Maclerie, MacMartin, MacOnie, MacOurlic, MacPhail, MacSorley, MacUlric, Macvail, MacWalrick, Martin, Paul, Sorley, Taylor.

Clan Campbell
Bannatyne, Burns, Burnes, Burnett, Connochie, Denoon, Denune, Harres, Harris, Haws, Hawson, MacConnechy, MacConochie, MacGibbon, Macglasrich, MacIssac, MacIver, MacIvor, MacKellar, MacKessock, MacKissock, MacLaws, LacLehose, MacNichol, MacOran, MacOwen, MacPhedran, MacPhun, MacUre, Ure. Clan Campbell of Breadalbane: MacDiarmid, MacDermid. Clan Campbell of Cawdor: Caddell, Calder. Clan Campbell of Loudoun: Hastings, Loudoun.

Clan Colquhoun
Cowan, Cowen, Culchone, Ingram, Kilpatrick, King, Kirkpatrick, Laing, MacAchounich, MacLintock, MacMains, MacManus, MacOwan, Maccowan, MacClintock.

Clan Cumming
Buchan, Comine, Comyn, MacNiven, Niven, Russell.

Clan Davidson
Davie, Davis, Dawson, Dow, Kay, Macdade, Macdaid, MacDavid.

Clan Drummond
Grewar, Gruer, Maccrouther, Macgrewar, Macgrowther, Macgruder, Macgruther, MacRobbie.

Clan Farquharson
Barrie, Brebner, Christie, Coates, Coutts, Farquhar, Findlay, Findlayson, Finlay, Finlayson, Gracie, Greusach, Hardie, Hardy, Kellas, Lyon, MacCaig, MacCardney, Macartney, MacCuaig, MacEarachar, MacFarquhar, Machardie, Machardy, MacKerchar, MacKerracher, Mackindlay, Mackinlay, Paterson, Reoch, Riach, Tawse.

Clan Ferguson
Fergus, Ferries, Hardie, MacAdie, MacFergus, MacKerras, MacKersey.

Clan Forbes
Bannerman, Fordyce, Michie.

Clan Forrester
Forrester, Forester, Foristar, Forrister, Forrest, Forest, Forster, Forstar, Foster, Fostar, Corstorphine, Carstarphen

Clan Fraser
Bisset, Brewster, Cowie, Frew, Frissell, Frizell, Macgruer, Macimmey, MacKim, MacKimmie, MacShimes, MacSimon, MacSymon, MacTavish, Oliver, Sim, Sime, Simon, Simpson, Sims, Simson, Syme, Symon,  Twaddle, Tweedie.

Clan Gordon
Adam, Adamson, Addie, Adie, Addison, Aiken, Aitchison, Atkin, Atkins, Atkinson, Badenoch, Barrie, Connor, Connon, Craig, Cromb, Crombie, Cullen, Culane, Darg, Darge, Dorward, Duff, Durward, Eadie, Eddie, Edie, Edison, Esslemont, Garden, Gardiner, Gardner, Garioch, Garrick, Garroick, Geddes, Gerrie, Huntley, Huntly, Jessiman, Jopp, Jupp, Laing, Lang, Laurie, Lawrie, Leng, Ling, MacAdam, Mallett, Manteach, Marr, Maver, Meldrum, Mill, Mills, Milles, Miln, Milne, Milner, More, Morrice, Muir, Mylne, Steel, Teal, Tod, Todd, Troup.

Clan Graham
Airth , Allardice, Allardyce, Bonar, Bonnar, Bontein, Bontine, Buntain, Bunten, Buntine, Bunting, Graeme, Grahame, Grahym, Grim, Grymn, Hadden, Haldane, Macgibbon, Macgilvernock, Macgrime, Maharg, Menteith, Monteith, Pitcairn, Pye, Pyott.

Clan Grant
Allan, Allen, Bisset, Bissett, Bowie, Buie,
Gilroy, MacAllan, Macgilroy, MacIlroy, MacKerran, MacKiaran, MacKessock, Pratt and Suttie.

Clan Gunn
Gallie, Gaunson, Georgeson, Henderson, Jameson, Jamieson, Johnson, Kean, Keens, MacComas, MacCorkill, MacCorkle, MacIan, MacKames, MacKeamish, MacKean, MacRob, MacWilliam, Mann, Manson, Nelson, Robison, Robson, Sandison, Swanson, Williamson, Wilson.

Clan Hall
Halle, Haule, Haul, Hal, De Aula, Hale, Haw, Collingwood, Crispin, Fitz William, MacHall.

Clan Innes
Dinnes, Ennis, Innie, McRob, McTary, Marnoch, Mavor, Middleton, Mitchell, Reidfuird, Thain, Wilson.

Clan Keith
Achindachy, Astine, Aston, Austen, Austie, Austin, Cate, Dick, Dickson, Dickison, Dicson, Dixon, Dixson, Falconer, Falconor, Faulkner, Harvie, Harvey, Harvie, Hervey, Haxton, Hurrie, Hurry, Keath, Keech, Keeth, Kite, Lumgain, Lumgaine, Lumgair, MacDick, MacDicken(s), MacDickin(s), MacDickie, MacDicky, MacDickson, MacGeath, MacKeetch, MacKeeth, MacKeith, MacKeithan, MacKeth, Mackett, MacNeithan, Marshall, Urrie, Urry

Clan Kinnaird
Kinnard, Kynnard, Kennard, Kynharde, Kinzerd, Kinnart, Kynnart, Kynarde, Culbin

Clan Lamont
Black, Brown, Bourdon, Burdon, Lamb, Lambie, Lammie, Lamondson, Landers, Lemond, Limond, Limont, Lucas, Luke, Lyon, Macalduie, MacClymont, MacGilledow, MacGillegowie, Macilzegowie, Macilwhom, MacLamond, MacLucas, MacLymont, MacPatrick, MacPhorich, MacSorley, Meikleham, Patrick, Sorley, Toward, Towart, Turner, White.

Clan Leslie
Abernethy, Bartholomew, More.

Clan Lindsay
Crawford, Deuchar

Clan MacAllister
Alexander

Clan MacAulay
MacPhedron, MacPheidiran

Clan MacArthur
Arthur, MacCartair, MacCarter.

Clan MacBean
Bean, MacBeath, MacBeth, Macilvain, MacVean

Clan MacDonald
Beath, Beaton, Bethune, Bowie, Colson, Connall, Connell, Darroch, Donald, Donaldson, Donillson, Donnelson, Drain, Galbraith, Gilbride, Gorrie, Gowan, Gowrie, Hawthorn, Hewison, Houstoun, Howison, Hughson, Hutcheonson, Hutchinson, Hutchison, Isles, Kellie, Kelly, Kinnell, Mac a' Challies, MacBeth, MacBeath, MacBheath, MacBride, MacCaishe, MacCall, MacCash, MacCeallaich, MacCodrum, MacColl, MacConnell, MacCook, MacCooish, MacCrain, MacCuag, MacCuish, MacCuitein, MacCutcheon, MacDaniell, Macdrain, MacEachern, MacElfrish, MacElheran, MacGorrie, MacGorry, MacGoun, MacGowan, MacGown, MacHugh, MacHutchen, MacHutcheon, MacIan, Macilreach, Macilriach, Macilleriach, Macilrevie, Macilvride, Macilwraith, MacKean, MacKellachie, MacKellaig, MacKelloch, MacKiggan, MacKinnell, MacLairish, MacLardie, MacLardy, MacLarty, MacLaverty, MacLeverty, MacMurchie, MacMurdo, MacMurdoch, MacO'Shannaig, MacQuistan, MacQuisten, MacRaith, MacRorie, MacRory, MacRuer, MacRurie, MacShannachan, MacSorley, MacSporran, MacSwan, MacWhannell, Martin, May, Murchie, Murchison, Murdoch, Murdoson, O'Drain, O'May, O'Shannachan, O'Shaig, O'Shannaig, Purcell, Revie, Reoch, Riach, Rorison, Shannon, Sorley, Sporran, Train, Whannel. Clan MacDonald of Clanranald: Allan, Allanson, Currie, MacAllan, MacBurie, MacEachin, MacGeachie, MacGeachin, MacIssac, MacKeachan, Mackechnie, MacKeochan, MacKessock, MacKichan, MacKissock, MacMurrich, MacVarish, MacVurrich, MacVurie. Clan MacDonald of Ardnamurchan: Johnson, Kean, Keene. Clan MacDonald of Glencoe: Henderson, Johnson, Kean, Keene, MacHenry, MacIan, MacKean.

Clan MacDonell
Alexander, Sanderson. Clan MacDonnell of Keppoch: MacGillivantic, MacGilp, Macglasrich, MacKillop, MacPhilip, Philipson, Ronald, Ronaldson.

Clan MacDougall
Carmichael, Conacher, Cowan, Dougall, Dowall, Livingston, Livingstone, MacConacher, MacCowan, MacCoul, MacCulloch, MacDowall, MacDowell, MacDulothe, MacEwen, MacEwan, MacEowen, MacOwen MacHowell, MacKichan, MacLucas, MacLugash, MacLulich, MacNamell, Macoul, Macowl.

Clan MacDuff
Duff, Fife, Fyfe, Spence, Spens, Wemyss.

Clan MacFarlane
Allan, Allanson, Bartholomew, Caw, Galbraith, Griesck, Gruamach, Kinnieson, Lennox, MacAindra, MacAllan, MacCaa, MacCause, MacCaw, MacCondy, MacEoin, MacGaw, MacGeoch, Macgreusich, Macinstalker, MacIock, MacJames, Mackinlay, MacNair, MacNeur, MacNider, MacNiter, MacRob, MacRobb, MacWalter, MacWilliam, Miller, Monach, Napier, Parlane, Robb, Stalker, Thomason, Weaver, Weir.

Clan Macfie
Duffie, Duffy, MacGuffie, Machaffie

Clan MacGillivray
Gilroy, MacGillivour, MacGilroy, MacGilvra, MacGilvray, Macilroy, Macilvrae.

additional sept-clan lists

Clan MacGregor
Black, Caird, Comrie, Fletcher, Gregor, Gregorson, Gregory, Greig, Grewar, Grier, Grierson, Grigor, Gruer, King, Leckie, Lecky, MacAdam, Macara, Macaree, MacChoiter, Maccrouther, Macgrewar, Macgrowther, Macgruder, Macgruther, Macilduy, MacLeister, MacLiver, MacNee, MacNeish, MacNie, MacNish, MacPeter, Malloch, Neish, Nish, Peter, White, Whyte.

Clan Macinnes
Angus, MacAngus, MacCainsh, MacCansh, MacMaster.

Clan MacIntyre
Tyre, MacTear, Wright, McEntire

Clan MacKay
Bain, Bayne, MacCay, MacCrie, Macghee, Macghie, Mackee, Machie, MacPhail, Macquery, Macquoid, Macvail, Neilson, Paul, Polson, Williamson.

Clan MacKenzie
Kenneth, Kennethson, MacBeolain, MacConnach, MacIver, MacIvor, MacKerlich, MacMurchie, MacMurchy, MacVanish, MacVinish, Murchie, Murchison.

Clan MacKinnon
Love, Mackinney, Mackinning, Kackinvan, MacMorran.

Clan MacKintosh
Adamson, Ayson, Combie, Crerar, Dallas, Doles, Elder, Esson, Glen, Glennie, Hardie, Hardy, MacAndrew, MacAy, MacCardney, MacCombie, MacCombe, MacComie, M'Conchy, Macglashan, Machardie, Machardy, MacHay, Mackeggie, M'Killican, MacNiven, MacOmie, Macritchie, MacThomas, Niven, Noble, Paul, Ritchie, Seawright, Siveright, Shaw, Tarrill, Tosh, Toshach.

Clan MacLachlan
Ewan, Ewen, Ewing, Gilchrist, Lachlan, Lauchlan, MacEwan, MacEwen, MacGilchrist.

Clan MacLaren
McLaren, MacLaurin, MacLaurin, MacLauren, McLauren, McLarin, McCLarin, MacLaran, McLaran, MacLaruan, MacLeran, MacLaurie, McLaurie, Laurence, Lawrence, Law, Lawson, Low, Lowe, Lawrie, Laurie, Lowery, Lowry, Faed, Patterson, Paterson, Peterson, McPater, Patrick, MacPatrick, MacRory, McCrory, McGory, MacRuari, Wright, MacGrory, Peterkin and Borison.

Clan MacLean
Beath, Beaton, Black, Lean, MacBeath, MacBheath, MacBeth, Macilduy, MacLergain, MacRankin, MacVeagh, MacVey, Rankin.

Clan MacLennan
Gilfiman, Gillfiman, Gilfillian, Gilliland, Lagan, Laggan, Lenan, Lennan, Lennon, Leonard, Leonerd, Loban, Lobban, Logan, Loggan, Lyndon, MacAlenon, MacAlinion, MacAlinden, MacAlonan, MacClanachan, MacClanchan, MacClaron, MacClennen, MacClendon, MacGilillan, MacKilligan, MacLarnon, MacLenagan, MacLenahan, MacLenadhan, MacLenden, MacLendon, MacLennon, MacLernon, MacLoran, MacLorinan, MacLyndon, MacWilname, McClenaghan, McClendal, McClendas, McClendon, McLandon, McLendall, McLendon, McLennon, MackLenddon, MackClenden, MackLendin, MackLendon, MacLendall, Meclendon, Mclendon, Winan, Winning, and Winton.

Clan MacLeod
Clan MacLeod of Harris: Beaton, Bethune, Beton, MacCaig, MacClure, MacCrimmon, MacGuiag, MacHarold, Macraild, Norman. Clan MacLeod of Lewis: Callum, Lewis, MacAskill, MacAulay, MacCallum, MacCAskill, MacCorkindale, MacCorquodale, MacLewis, MacNicol, Malcolmson, Nicholl, Nicol, Nicoll, Nicholson, Nicolson, Tolmie.

Clan MacMillan
Baxter, Bell, Blue, Brown, Millikin/Mullikin, MacBaxter, MacNamell.

Clan MacNab
Abbot, Abbotson, Dewar, Gilfillan, Macandeoir

Clan MacNaughton
Ayson, Bissett, Easson, Ferguson, Henderson, Hendrie, Hendry, Henerdie, Henerdy, Henrie, Henry, Kendrich, Kendrick, Kinrick, MacAire, MacAirey, MacAirie, MacAiry, MacAnir, MacAry, MacAys, MacBrayn, MacBrayne, MacBreen, MacBrine, MacBrinn, MacCachren, MacCarhy, MacCarie, MacCarken, MacCarrie, MacCarry, MacCary, MacCavic, MacCavick, MacCeol, MacClackuon, MacCoal, MacColl, MacCrackan, MacCrackans, MacCracken, MacCracken, MacCrackens, MacCrackin, MacCrackin, MacCrackins, MacCracktin, MacCracktine, MacCraken, MacCratic, MacCratick, MacCrocken, MacCrocklin, MacEal, MacEel, MacFergusse, MacGrachin, MacGrattan, MacGratten, MacGrattin, MacGreachain, MacGreachan, MacHanvichar, MacHarrie, MacHarry, MacHendrie, MacHendry, MacHenrie, MacHenry, MacImery, MacImmery, MacInerie, MacInery, MacInrye, MacIntaylor, MacInterrie, MacInterry, MacIntrye, MacKay, MacKendrich, MacKendrick, MacKendricks, MacKenerick, MacKenerie, MacKenery, MacKindrick, MacKindricks, MacKinrick, MacKnatt, MacKneight, MacKnigh, MacKnight, MacKnot, MacKracherne, MacMath, MacMitt, MacNac, MacNachdan, MacNachtan, MacNachten, MacNachton, MacNack, MacNagen, MacNaghtan, MacNaghten, MacNaghtin, MacNaight, MacNair, MacNairy, MacNamell, MacNammill, MacNarie, MacNary, MacNatt, MacNattie, MacNatton, MacNatty, MacNauchton, MacNaugh, MacNaught, MacNaughtan, MacNaughten, MacNaughton, MacNayer, MacNayre, MacNear, MacNeid, MacNeight, MacNeir, MacNerie, MacNery, MacNet, MacNete, MacNett, MacNette, MacNetten, MacNetton, MacNeur, MacNevens, MacNevin, MacNevins, MacNight, MacNitt, MacNivan, MacNivans, MacNiven, MacNorton, MacNott, MacNought, MacNoughtan, MacNoughton, MacNoyer, MacNuir, MacNut, MacNutt, MacNuyer, MacPortland, MacQuaig, MacQuake, MacQuaker, MacRac, MacRack, MacRacken, MacRackin, MacRagan, MacRaggan, MacReachain, MacReachan, MacRuck, MacRucke, MacVicar, MacVickar, MacVickars, MacVicker, MacVickers, MacVig, MacVige, MacVrine, MacVryne, MacWaughton, MacYole, MacYoll, Manaugh, Mannice, Mannis, Mannise, Nachtan, Nachten, Nactan, Nacten, Naghton, Natton, Naughten, Naughtie, Naughton, Naughty, Nechtan, Nechten, Nectan, Necten, Nevin, Nevins, Nevinson, Niven, Nivens, Nivenson, Nought,  Nucater, Nucator, Nutt, Porter, Weir.

Clan MacNeil
MacNeilage, MacNeiledge, MacNelly, Neal, Neil, Neill.

Clan MacPherson
Clark, Clarke, Currie, Fersen, Gillespie, Gillies, Gow, Lees, MacCurrach, MacGowan, MacLeish, LacLise, MacMurdo, MacMurdoch, MacMurrich, MacVurrich, Murdoch, Murdoson.

Clan MacQuarrie
MacCorrie, MacCorry, MacGorrie, MacGorry, MacGuaran, MacGuire, Macquaire, Macquhirr, Macquire, MacWhirr, Wharrie.

Clan MacQueen
MacCunn, MacSwan, MacSwen, MacSween, MacSwyde, Swan.

Clan MacRae
Macara, MacCraw, Macra, Macrach, MacRaith, MacRath, Rae.

Clan MacTavish
MacCamish, MacCash, MacCosh, MacLaws, MacLehose, MacTammany, MacTause, Stephenson, Steven(s), Stevenson, Stevenston, Stivan, Taweson, Tawesson, Thom, Thomson, Thompson, Thomas, Thomasin, Thomason, Thomassine. Thomazin, Thomerson, Thomes, Thompson, Thomson, Todd.

Tribe of Mar
Marr, Mair, Mairs, Morren, Strachan, Tough

Clan Mathieson
MacMath, MacPhun, Mathie.

Clan Maxwell
Adair, Blackstock, Dinwiddie, Dinwoddie,  Edgar, Herries, Kirk, Kirkland, Latimer, Latimore, Mackittrick, Maxton, Mescall, Monreith, Moss, Nithdale, Paulk, Peacock, Pollock, Pollok,  Polk, Sturgeon, Wardlaw

Clan Menzies
Dewar, Macindeor, MacMenzies, MacMinn, MacMonies, Means, Mein, Meine, Mennie, Meyners, Minn, Minnus, Monzie.

Clan Munro
Dingwall, Foulis, MacCulloch, MacLulich, Vass, Wass.

Clan Morrison
Brieve, Gilmore, MacBrieve

Clan Murray
MacMurray, Moray, Rattray, Small, Spalding

Clan Ogilvie
Airlie, Gilchrist, MacGilchrist, Milne

Clan Pentland
Pentlend, Paintland, Petland, Penland, Penlend, Petlend, Pendland.

Clan Robertson
Collier, Colyear, Dobinson, Donachie, Duncan, Duncanson, Dunnachie, Inches, MacConachie, MacConnechy, MacDonachie, Macinroy, MacIver, MacIvor, Maclagen, MacRobbie, MacRobie, MacRobert, Reid, Roy, Stark, Tonnochy

Clan Ross
Anderson, Andrew, Dingwall, Gillanders, MacAndrew, MacCulloch, MacLulich, MacTaggart, MacTear, MacTier, MacTire, Taggart, Vass, Wass

Clan Sinclair
Caird, Clouston, Clyne, Linklater, Mason

Clan Skene
Cariston, Dis, Dyce, Hallyard, Norie

Clan Stewart
Boyd, Garrow, Menteith, Monteith, Carmichael, Hunter, MacMichael. Stewart, Appin: Carmichael, Combich, Livingston, Livingstone, MacCombich, Mackinlay, Maclae, Maclay, Maclea, Macleay, MacMichael. Stewart, Atholl: Crookshanks, Cruickshank, Duilach, Gray, Macglashan Stewart Lennox: Howkins

Clan Sutherland
Cheyne, Federith, Gray, Keith, Mowat, Oliphant, Duffus

Clan Watson
Belboys, Boas, Boece, Boeis, Boes, Boess, Boice, Boiss, Boiste, Boos, Boost, Bos, Bouse, Boust, Bowayse, Bowes, Bowis, Bows, Bowys, Boyce, Boyes, Boyess, Boyis, Boys, Boyse, Boze, Buist, Buste, DeBosco, MacQuat, MacQuattie, MacQuhat, MacQwat, MacRowatt, MacWalter, MacWater, MacWatson, MacWatt, MacWatters, MacWattie, Vatsoun, Vod, Vode, Void, Voud, Voude, Vould, Walter, Walterson, Wasson, Waters, Waterson, Watson, Watsone, Watsoun, Watt, Wattie, Wattson, Wod, Wode, Wodde, Woid, Woide, Wood, Woyd, Wyatt.