Sept
A sept (/sɛpt/) is a division of a family, especially of a Scottish or Irish family.[1] The term is used in both Scotland and Ireland, where it may be translated as sliocht, meaning "progeny" or "seed",[2] which may indicate the descendants of a person (for example, Sliocht Bhriain Mhic Dhiarmada, "the descendant of Brian MacDermott"). The word may derive from the Latin saeptum, meaning "enclosure" or "fold",[3] or via an alteration of "sect".[4]
Family branches
Síol is a
Each of these individual septs may further subdivide into more septs, which may sometimes lead to the development of novel surnames and/or the rise of the family such that it may be considered a clan in its own right. Such septs were common in Scotland, where the clan system was well-developed.[5]
Scotland
In the context of
Today, sept lists are used by clan societies to recruit new members. Such lists date back to the 19th century, when clan societies and tartan manufacturers attempted to capitalise on the enthusiasm and interest for all things Scottish. Lists were drawn up that linked as many surnames as possible to a particular clan, regardless of whether there was an actual historical connection to that clan surname. In this way, individuals without a "clan name" could connect to a Scottish clan and thus feel "entitled" to its tartan.
Also,
Ireland
Historically, the term "sept" was not used in Ireland until the 19th century, long after any notion of clanship had been eradicated. The English word "sept" is most accurate in referring to a subgroup within a large clan, particularly when that group has taken up residence outside their clan's original territory (e.g. the
Related
Recently,
See also
References
- ^ Clans and Septs of Ireland, RMK Research.
- ^ Woulfe P. (2010.) Irish Names and Surnames. Genealogical Publishing Company.
- ^ "sept". Merriam-Webster. 2008. Retrieved 5 September 2008.
- ISBN 0-618-39601-2.
- ^ a b "Septs of Ireland", Irish Septs Association.
- ^ ISBN 978-0-19-923482-0.
- ISBN 978-1-902930-17-6.
- ^ "clann". teanflann.ie. Foras na Gaeilge. Retrieved 9 January 2018.
Further reading
External links
- Chisholm, Hugh, ed. (1911). . Encyclopædia Britannica (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press.