Callanish
Callanish Stones on Lewis. Image courtesy of Tex McCloud
How do I become a member of a Clan MacLeod Society?
You are encouraged to join the National Society nearest to where you live so you can participate in their local activities. If there isn’t a society in your country, you are welcome to join Clan MacLeod Society Scotland.

Each Society has their own membership requirements according to their local traditions. The best way to start is to visit the appropriate society page to find out how to get in touch.

Welcome to Clan MacLeod — we look forward to meeting you at a Clan MacLeod gathering in the near future!

What's the difference between MacLeod, McLeod, Macleod, Mcleod, McCloud and other variations?
They’re the same name.

McLeod and MacLeod are the same. The Mc is an abbreviation for Mac, the Gaelic word for son. When Mac is used in combination with another name, it means “son of” that other name. MacLeod/McLeod means “Son of Leod” in the same manner that Johnson means “son of John”. McCloud is another spelling of the same name.

My last name is Loud and it is believed to have been changed from Macloud, to Loud when my ancestors came over to America on the Mayflower. Would you think this is true?
Yes, it is very likely that your Loud ancestors were called MacLoud or MacLeod before they emigrated from Scotland, especially when you have an oral tradition in your family that talks about it.

One of our Clan MacLeod members whose last name is Loud shared with us that his grandfather dropped the Mc, but his grandfather’s brother kept it. Hence, he has both McLoud cousins and Loud cousins!

Mac means “son” in Gaelic, so MacLeod means “son of Leod”, the founder of our clan. No matter which spelling variation we use, we’re all children of Leod!

Each Society has their own membership requirements according to their local traditions. The best way to start is to visit the appropriate society page to find out how to get in touch.

What tartan should/can I wear?
You can wear any tartan – MacLeod or any other. There are no rules! Tartan as we know it was essentially invented by the Victorians. Very many tartans have been designed in the modern day – including several of ours! Wear whatever you like. MacLeod tartans are displayed here.
How to I find if I am related to the Chief?
First things first: you need to do your own family history research before trying to link up with chiefly lineage. However you came by the name, we consider you one of the family!