Question

Answer

What is the proper way to address the Chief, either verbally or in writing?

Chief Steven MacTavish prefers using the old style, as did his father.  That is in the form of the terrritorial name, taken from the lands of Dunardy. When addressing the Chief verbally  he should be called DUNARDRY, or Chief. When addressing the Chief in writing he should be referred to as Steven MacTavish of Dunardry. If introducing the Chief, he should be noted as Steven MacTavish of Dunardry, Chief of the Clan MacTavish.  Likewise, the Chief’s wife is Mrs. MacTavish of Dunardry.

What is the significance of the eagle feathers? What do the numbers mean?

Eagle feathers within native tribes, are a mark of rank or postion. A Scottish Chief (head of a clan), wears three. A Chieftain (head of a subordinate family or cadet branch), when so granted by the Lord Lyon, wears two eagle feathers. An Armiger (someone who has been granted their own Arms) wears one feather. The Chief may also determine if one of his personal offices may wear one eagle feather.  This is the Chief’s perogative.

The words "Non Oblitus" appear as the Chief’s motto and on the Clan Crest Badge. What do the words mean?

"Non Oblitus" (pronounced Non O-bleet-us) means 'Do Not Forget Me after Death'. Crest is the personal property of Chief, but he may, at his sole discreation, allow his loyal clan members to where it, but only  when surrounded by a strap and buckle. The Crest is part of the Chief’s personal Arms, and it is part of the Chief’s armorial perogative to allow or disallow the wearing of this crest.

Why do we wear the white cockade behind our badges?

The white cockade is in honor of our Jacobite past, fighting with Prince Charlie for Scotland. The 26^th Chief started this trend in 1993. It is nice to see that many other Jacobite clans are following this example.

Why is the clansmen's badge a strap and buckle while the chief's is without the buckle?

The boar's head crest is a personal heraldic device, being part of the Chief's personal Coat of Arms. By placing the boar's head within the strap and buckle, it denotes that the bearer is expressing loyalty and allegiance to the chief to which the crest belongs, and accepts the Chief as the hereditary leader of the clan and extended family.

What is the Clan's slogan, or War Cry, and what does it mean?

' CRUACH MOR! ' (Pronounced crew-ack more) It means tall stack or mount. It's the name of highest point of land on Dunardry at 820 meters above sea level.

What is meant by Dunardry Lands?

The land referred to as Dunardry was first chartered to the MacTavish in the 12th century. It remained in MacTavish hands until 31 December 1785.

What does MacTamhais mean? 

MacTamhais is Gaelic for MacTavish, and Thom(p)son. It is pronounced MAC TAVIS.

There is no letter ‘v’ in Gaelic, and the combined letters ‘mh’ replace the English letter ‘v’.

What does the word 'SEPT' mean, and do we have SEPTS?

The word 'SEPT' is Gaelic for 'FAMILY WITHIN A FAMILY'. We have three SEPTS connected to our Clan, CAMPBELL,TODD and STEVENSON.

Todd is a "split name" and is either of Clans Gordon or MacTavish. Todds of Argsyllshire or the west of Scotland would be MacTavish. Otherwise they would be of Clan Gordon.

When were the Campbells, Todds & Stephens names added as septs?

Campbells of Kilmichael-Invelussay, have been accepted since 1760. Todds have been a sept of MacTavish since the 12th century. The Stephens and variant spellings were added in 1999, because they had never been a part of any other clan. This was done at the request of some persons with the ‘Steven’ surnames.

Why are the Campbells listed as septs of our clan?

Only Campbells of Kilmichael-Inverlussay are sept to MacTavish, all other Campbells are of Clan Campbell.

If several clans list my name as a sept, how do I know which one is correct?

One must be able to trace his family line to the FIRST of his line to be absolutely sure. But, of course, it depends on the name. As an example, Cash (MacCamish), Thomas, Thomson & Thompson are not septs THEY ARE THE CLAN. The name Todd, as above, must be able to find the first of their line. If the first one was from the western highlands, then they are MacTamhais sept. If from the northeast, then they are Gordon. Any Chief can recognize any name as a sept of his clan.

When did some of the variant spellings first appear on record? In what records are these found?

In the case of MacTavish names, spelling corruption stated about the 12^th century. Spellings are shown in Charters, Sasines and various civil or church records.

What is a Clan?

A Highland Clan is a social unit (or tribe) claiming descent from a common ancestor, with its Chief as hereditary leader.  A Clan Society is part of the actual Clan only if it has the sanction of its Chief. A Clan Society/Association can never be considered to be the CLAN itself.

Is there a proper way for a lady to wear the clan tartan sash? Does the way it's draped matter?

The proper way for a lady of the clan to wear her sash is draped over the RIGHT shoulder. Only high ranking miltary officers wives or the Chief’s wife may wear her sash over the Left shoulder.

What does ‘Cirean Ceann Cinnidh’ mean on the commissioners business cards or stationary?

It is the Gaelic term normally displayed when the Crest Badge is shown. It signifies the bearer is a member of the clan and has permission from the Chief to use the crest as an identifying mark in this manner.