Written by :  Laurie Lehrich

 Clan 

Function:  Noun 

1)  A traditional social unit in the Scottish Highlands, consisting of a number of families claiming a common ancestor and following the same hereditary chieftain.

        2) A division of a tribe tracing descent from a common ancestor

        3) A large group of relatives, friends, or associates.

The word clan actually originated around 1425 from the Gaelic “clan”, which in turn originated from the Latin root for plant, or “offshoot”.  The Celtic languages had no –p, so it substituted a –k or –c and the word we have today is clan which is what we know as family, friends or people with a common interest or bond of some sort.

For as long as there were recognized clans in Scotland and Ireland, design of fabric, family or clan crests, and jewelry has always been used as a tool to identify them.   

Modern designers using clan inspired prints.

Modern architects design cluster homes that keep clans living close together but allow for private quarters.