One might ask. "If I am a bona fide member of the Clan,  would I join a society that has no connection to my Clan or its Chief?" "Why would I want to do that?" Those are questions that only the indiviual may answer.

One should join a sanctioned organization where such exists.  Being a part of one's own clan, be it in the form of a Clan formal, under the direct control of the Chief, or under a Clan sanctioned society or federation, is to gain authenticity in heritage and purpose.  A Clan society that does not have its Chief's sanction is just another Scottish society, and its aims and goals may not conform to the ideals of the Chief and Clan.  The sanction of the Chief gives any clan society its legitamacy and purpose.  

If you are interested in partaking of your Clan and its heritage, it is always wise to ask a representative of the group you are planning to join, if it enjoys the sanction and patronage of the Chief.

Some other things that are important to know about joining a Clan or Clan Society.

1. Is the Clan or Society legally structured, and how?

2. Is there a Constitution and Bylaws?

3. Are the Directors and Officers constitutionally elected by the members?

4. What are the duties and responsibiities of the Officers and Directors, and are those duties and responsibilities clearly defined?

5. Are the finances of the Clan or Society open to review by all members?

6. What rights, privileges or benefits does the membership have?

7. Do I get a copy of the Constitution and Bylaws or other operating procedures?

If you get a negative response to one or more of these questions, think twice before joining. 

Most clans and societies offer you a hard copy of their Bylaws and Constitution, or make them available on their website(s).

Most clans or clan societies can help you with your genealogy, or at least guide you to beneficial records. Some clans have extensive genealogies submitted by their members, which may or may not help you with your own family lineage. 

Where a member does not desire to, or cannot, trace his or her lineage but still desires to join a Clan or society in persuit of heritage, one should follow this example.

"All persons who bear the chief's surname are deemed to be members of his clan. Equally, it is generally accepted that someone who determines to offer their allegiance to the chief shall be recognised as a member of that clan unless the chief has decreed that he will not accept such a person's allegiance. Thus, if a person offers his allegiance to a particular chief by joining his clan society or by wearing his tartan, he can be deemed to have elected to join that particular clan and should be viewed as a member of that clan unless the chief particularly states that he or his name group are not to be allowed to join the clan." (Sir Crispin Agnew of Lochow, Bt.)

A Chief of a Clan (or Family) is described in one of two ways, as Chief of the Name and Arms, or as Chief of the Honourable Clan. Either style signifies that the Chief is recognized by the Lord Lyon, and hence the Soveriegn, as the legitimate leader of his/her clan or family. This is accomplised in a formal document known as Letters Patent, or by matriculation of arms upon which is recorded the name or names of the heirs to the Chiefship. 

Chief's usually have their own lists of names, which they accept as being members of their clan. Of course anyone who bears the same or slightly differenced surname of that of the Chief is a member of his clan. Other names of bona fide members would be called septs or connected names. These names may or may not be variations of the Chief's name, and may have historical reasons for being accepted. A Chief may add to his clan or subtract from his clan, but sept lists normally remain fixed. 

It is also wise to ask the Chief or one of his representatives if your name, or your relationship to a name, is accepted as being a member of the clan. This way you will know if the clan, or society, accepts your name or your descent from one of the names. 

Some clans and societies only accept members who have direct lineage connections to names. An example would be, if you are a grandson or granddaughter of an accepted name, but do not carry that surname yourself - you might not be accepted as a clan member in such a case.  Most Clans or societies, do not restrict membership in this manner. It is often said of clan membership that, "Its in the blood". Therefore if you are a descendant in either the male or female line of an accepted name, most clans or societies will accept you as a member without question.

Where there is an overlapping of names accepted by several clans, one must decide which clan they desire to be affiliated with. It is usually a good choice to determine, if possible, where your family originated in Scotland, and choose the clan from that area. If you are unable to do this, selecting a clan which accepts your surname (or relationship to that name) is the next choice.

A list of names accepted by the Chief of Clan MacTavish as members of his clan appears on this site. Anyone bearing those names, or variations of those names, or having descent from those names has the opion of becoming a Member of the Clan MacTavish.

See: Menu for Clan MacTavish Incorportated.

Also See the menu for: Accepted Names and Septs for a list of acknowledged names of Clan MacTavish, or click the link below.