The idea of all members of a clan being of one name is a Victorian misconception. Clans begin to emerge as recognizable units in the 12th and 13th century. Initially the Chief and the Chief's close kin were the leaders of the clan while their followers were the local people who were their tenants or who looked to them for leadership in defense. So while the Clan Campbell were led by Campbells, until about the 18th century, many of their followers, and sometimes even they themselves often used patronymics or father's names.

Patronymics lie behind many modern Scottish family names, particularly those now beginning with the `Mac' or `Mc' prefix, meaning `son of'. Further, in early records these sometimes appear with `Vic', meaning `grandson of'. For example Archibald MacDougall V'Gillespic (Gaelic for Archibald) was Archibald son of Dougall son of Archibald. Sometimes, such as in the 16th century, such names might even appear followed by `alias Campbell'. In modern times families who were not of Campbell origin yet who had long given their allegiance to the Chief of the clan have come to be called "septs".

"Gyronny of Eight, Or and Sable, an orle of chains Argent, in the centre point a terrestrial sphere."

The Federation of Clan Campbell Societies was created in 1986 by his Grace, the 12th Duke of Argyll, to enable the various Clan Campbell Societies to use heraldic arms as granted to the Chief by the Lord Lyon King of Arms in Scotland, for the Federation. The need for a coat of arms for use by members of Clan Campbell Societies was made clear by the widespread misuse of the historical gyronny. The "Gyronny", is the personal coat of arms of MacCailein Mor, Chief of Clan Campbell, granted by the Sovereign, through the Lord Lyon, to him alone, which cannot be passed on to, or used by, anyone else. The Chief went to considerable lengths and expense to obtain a grant of these arms from the Lord Lyon for the Federation so that each Society, who was a member of the Federation, could use these arms as a correct use of Scottish heraldry.

The design of the coat of arms as granted, is the gyronny differenced by a silver globe at centre point, to emphasize the worldwide spread of our Clan. The globe is surrounded by a silver chain which represents our common bond of kinship and loyalty to our Chief. The dimensions, design and colors of this banner are available from the Chief Executive of the Clan Campbell.

MacCailein Mor, Chief of Clan Campbell also serves as the President of The Federation of Clan Campbell Societies.

Membership in The Federation of Clan Campbell Societies is open to all Clan Campbell Societies worldwide. All Clan Campbell Societies must have received the approval of MacCailein Mor in order to be eligible. Interested Clan Campbell Societies should contact the Chief Executive of the Clan Campbell for further details.

Chief Executive of the Clan Campbell
Inveraray Castle
Inveraray, Argyll, Scotland, UK

Where available, it would be very colorful and totally appropriate to fly the heraldic banner of the Federation of Clan Campbell Societies at all Society tents and tables and as the lead banner in a parade (unless the Chief was present with his banner and banner bearer).

MACCAILEIN MOR
THE DUKE OF ARGYLL
Hereditary Chief of the Clan Campbell
Inveraray Castle
Argyllshire, Scotland
 

The 28th MacCailein Mor, the 35th Chief of Clan Campbell, His Grace, the Duke of Argyll was born Torquhil Ian Campbell on 29 May 1968. The 13th Duke of Argyll is the son of Sir Ian Campbell, 12th Duke of Argyll and Iona Mary Colquhoun, the daughter of Sir Ivar Iain Colquhoun of Luss 8th BT, Chief of Clan Colquhoun.