Clan Donald

 

Clan Crest badge displaying the Crest of the High Chief of Clan Donald

Clan Crest badge displaying the Crest of the High Chief of Clan Donald

Clan Donald, also known as Clan MacDonald (Scottish Gaelic: MacDhòmhnaill), is a Highland Scottish clan and one of the largest Scottish clans. The chiefs of the Clan Donald held the title of Lord of the Isles until 1495 and two of the chiefs also held the title of Earl of Ross until 1476. There are also numerous branches to the Clan Donald and several of these have chiefs recognised by the Lord Lyon King of Arms; these are: Clan Macdonald of Sleat, Clan Macdonald of Clanranald, Clan MacDonell of Glengarry, Clan MacDonald of Keppoch, and Clan MacAlister. Given Kenneth MacDonald’s likely connection with the Isle of Skye, it is assumed that he was associated with Sleat (pronounced “Slate.”).

Notable branches without chiefs so-recognised are: the Clan MacDonald of Dunnyveg, Clan MacDonald of Lochalsh, the MacDonalds of Glencoe, and the MacDonalds of Ardnamurchan. The MacDonnells of Antrim are a cadet branch of the MacDonalds of Dunnyveg but do not belong to the Scottish associations and have a chief officially recognised in Ireland. (from Wikipedia)