THE CLAN
The Scottish clan of yesteryear was a collection of individuals with a given surname (often related by blood) living somewhat in close proximity to one another, united under a common chief. Others have defined clans as "those of common stock." In many instances septs (sometimes described as "broken men" from other clans who sought the protection of another chief) were also considered part of any given clan.
The Clan Cameron has a recorded history from the fifteenth century, although unsubstantiated histories have its roots reaching back to the supposed first chief, Angus Cameron, living about the year 1000. They resided in the "Cameron Country" of Lochaber, an area roughly 12 by 16 miles near the present day town of Fort William, in Scotland's West Highlands. The history of the Camerons, as a Scottish clan, is an extensive and often combative one, for that was how men learned to survive and live another day.
CHIEF
In each clan there were several "subaltern" tribes (in Clan Cameron's instance these would be the Camerons of Letterfinlay, Glen Nevis, Callart/Lundavra, Erracht and Clunes). Each tribe "owned" their dependence to their own immediate chieftain, but all agreed in owing allegiance to the Supreme Chief of the Clan. In ideal circumstances they looked upon it to be their duty to support him in all his endeavors.
Clan Cameron is fortunate to have a hereditary chief, descended directly from the earliest days of Camerons living in Lochaber. Since the year 1528 the chief of Clan Cameron have been called "Lochiel." If you had a Cameron ancestor living in Scotland, odds are they followed an ancestor of the present Lochiel as their chief. The XXVII hereditary chief of Clan Cameron, who like so many of his ancestors resides at Achnacarry is Donald Cameron of Lochiel.
SURNAME
There are two possible meaning for the surname "Cameron." Unfortunately, both are no more than theoretical explanations, with the surname's definitive meaning lost somewhere in the distant past.
1) Crooked Nose: From the Gaelic "cam," which means "crooked," "bent" or "hook" and "shron," which means "nose." Together they make up "Camshron," the more accepted/popular meaning behind the Cameron surname. The "sh" and "o" are for the most part silent when pronounced.
2) Crooked Hill: From the Gaelic "cam," once again meaning "crooked," "bent" or "hook" and "brun," meaning "hill." This name, "Cambrun," was popular in Fife, Scotland and if not categorically connected with the Camerons of the Highlands, may be the source of "Lowland" Cameron surname in some instances.
2) Crooked Hill: From the Gaelic "cam," once again meaning "crooked," "bent" or "hook" and "brun," meaning "hill." This name, "Cambrun," was popular in Fife, Scotland and if not categorically connhected with the Camerons of the Highlands, may be the source of "Lowland" Cameron surname in some instances.
SEPTS
The following Scottish surnames have been affiliated with the Clan Cameron throughout the years. Many of these names do not appear in the "standard" listing of Cameron septs, especially when considering surname variations and Gaelic versions. Anyone bearing a surname within these listings, or descended from someone who bore that name, are considered part of the Clan Cameron and are entitled to membership in Clan Cameron Associations worldwide.
Calmeroune Cambernon Cambrawno Cambrin Cambron Cambrone Cambroun Cambrun Camburnon Cambrv' Cambrvn Camerario Camerarius Camern Cameronne Cameroun Camerown Cammeron Campbroun Camphron Camprone Camproun Camron Camronaich Camrone Camroun Camrowne Camrun Camshron Camsroin Caumberen Caumbroun Chalmers Chambers Chlerich Chlery Clark Clarke Clarkson Cleary Cleireach Clerk Cummings DeCambernon DeCambron Dowie Gibbon Gilbert Gilbertson Gillonie Kamerum Kennedy Leary Lonie Mac a' Chlerich MacAldowie MacAlonie Mac an Taillear MacChlery MacChlerich MacClair MacClear MacGillery MacGillonie MacGuillonie MacIldowie MacKail MacKell MacKenzie (of Onich and Ballachulish) MacKildowie MacLachlan (of Coruanan) MacLear MacLeary MacLerie MacMartin MacMasters (of Corrybeg) MacMhaolain MacMillan (of Murlaggan and Caillich) MacOnie MacOstrich MacOuildowy MacPhail MacPhee (of Glendessary) MacSorley MacSorlie MacUlrig MacVail MacVaile MacVaill MacVale MacVee (of Glendessary) MacWalrick Martin Martinus Paul Sorley Sorlie Stronach
Taillear (of Cowal) Tayler (of Cowal) Taylor (of Cowal)
SOURCE: www.clan-cameron.org
Copyright © 2022 Clan Cameron Association of Norther America- Northeast Chapter - All Rights Reserved.
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