If there is no match for your chosen name or word in the Tartan Search, use the Septs Search to find out if it has a family association with a Tartan or Tartans in the Register. The Tartan Search results will list those tartans that best match the word or words you enter, taken from the name of the tartan. The Septs Search results will list those family names that best match the word or words you enter. To view the associated tartans, enter a name from the list into a Tartan search. A Clan or Family name with a Chief sometimes have other associated surnames and these are called Septs.
Septs arise through distortions of a name, or through an historic allegiance to a clan.
Examples can be Some MacIntyres moved into Clan Chattan territory to avoid being assimilated by the Campbells. Clan MacGregor were outlawed and the name proscribed, and many became Murrays, Stewarts, Drummonds, variations akin to Gregor like Grier or sometimes were territorially labelled as Dochart, from Glen Dochart. Families living in Clan territories often fought alongside their neighbours or had an official function within the clan, as pipers or craftsmen. Gaellic names often led to Scots and English variations that can be quite different, MacAlister being Alexander for example. Unfortunately, a given name can be associated with more than one clan and it is essential to track down the regional origin of the forebear carrying the name in many cases.