A Bit of Clan Gunn History: and gatherings of today are probably For additional membership information An Introduction to the much like those of yesteryear. and a membership application, contact: CLAN GUNN SOCIETY Our ancestors were mixed in origin, the The clan system ended with the defeat of earliest known inhabitants of the area Bonnie Prince Charlie’s Highlanders on Alise Erickson, of North America were the Picts, later mixed with Celts, the moors of Culloden, near Inverness, on Membership Secretary Scots, Teutons, Normans, Norse and April 16, 1746. Following this defeat, the 845 S. McDermott Road others. Practically without exception, the English abolished the Clan system and Nampa, ID 83687 Highland Clans’ chiefly lines claim until 1782 all weapons were forbidden to [email protected] descent from the Norse Vikings. Clan the Highlander, as were the tartans, clan Gunn is no exception. The surname dress, clan symbols and paraphernalia, Clan Gunn website address: Gunn derives from Gun, Gunnar, or Gunni clan music, Highland dancing, and www.clangunn.us (depending upon the interpretation of the gatherings. Even the bagpipe was historian) who was a grandson of Sweyn, forbidden as it was, and is today, the Pirate of Freswick, whose family ruled considered an instrument of war. the earldoms of Orkney and Caithness during the 9th, 10th and 11th centuries. In the early to mid 1800s, a program The modern lineage and sept families known as the “Clearances” was carried stem from George Gunn, the Crowner of out with the stated object of “clearing the Caithness, born in the first decade of the Highlanders from the land to make it fit for 15th century and slain with several of his the raising of sheep”. It was this program clansmen at the Chapel of St. Tears, near that was largely responsible for the Ackergill, in July, 1478. scattering of the Highlanders to the far reaches of the world. Clans have existed in many parts of the world, but it was in the Highlands of When King George IV toured Scotland in Scotland that the clan system developed the 1820s (he was the first monarch to most fully as a way of life. History tells us visit Scotland in 175 years), he and his The Clansman’s Badge that clans fought amongst each other over court were adorned in full Highland matters of territory and pride. However, regalia. Tartans blossomed everywhere, differences were put aside in a heartbeat the Clans were revitalized and Clan to fight an enemy. And games or societies were organized in an attempt to The Clan Motto: gatherings of the clans throughout the re-establish family ties. AUT PAX AUT BELLUM Highlands and islands of Scotland (Either Peace or War) provided a chance for young Highlanders The first Clan Gunn Society was founded to chose their spouses and thus insure in 1821 but drifted into the doldrums for good will among the clans as well as the next century and a quarter. About 40 participating in athletic competitions. years ago the Clan Gunn Society was During these gatherings, men, women reactivated in Scotland and the United and children would also share food and Kingdom. In 1969, in North Carolina, the drink, tell stories, trade and barter for Clan Gunn Society of North America was goods, play music and dance. The games organized with membership open to all Gunns residing in North America. Septs of Clan Gunn: What is a Clan? quarterly newsletter, THE GUNN SALUTE, offers articles of interest on The Clan Banner consists of a blue field Allisterson MacCorkill Mann The Gaelic word ‘clan’ means children, Scotland, items on Clan history, traditions with white cross (similar to St. Andrew’s Corner MacCorkle Manson and the central idea of clanship is kinship. and heritage, clan members and branch banner), with the Clansman’s badge Crownar MacCullie Maness A clan is a family and, at least figuratively, activities, genealogy record updates, and emblazoned at the center of the white Crowner MacDade Manus the father is the chief. Although many of a announces upcoming events. Most cross. Cruiner MacDhaidh More clan may be related by blood, the family branches also publish a branch Cruner MacEnrick Neilson was extended to all those who newsletter. Membership in the Clan Gunn Eanrig MacGeorge Nelson acknowledged the authority of the chief Society of North America is a prerequisite Enrick MacHamish Robeson and accepted his protection. to partake of branch activities. Galdie MacIan Robinson Gallie Mackames Robison Clan Gunn Membership is open to those persons of Ganson Mackeamis Rorieson Scottish descent who bear, by birthright, Gauldie Mackeamish Sandison Iain Alexander Gunn of Gunn, formerly of descent (paternal or maternal), marriage, Gaunson Mackean Swan Banniskirk, is the Chief of Clan Gunn or legal adoption, the surname of Gunn or George Mackendrick Swann following a decision by the Lord Lyon in of one of the Septs of Clan Gunn. Georgeson MacMains Swanney September, 2015. Under the guidance of Membership includes a spouse and all Henderson MacManus Swanson Iain and his wife, Bunty, the Clan Gunn minor (under age 18) children. Dues are Inrig MacNeill Thomson Society acquired a Clan Heritage Centre paid annually on the membership Jameson MacOmish Tomson at Latheron, Caithness, which provides a anniversary date. Jamieson MacRob Will place to gather memorabilia with Clan Jamison MacRory Williamson significance, house Clan genealogical Membership entitles one to utilize the Johnson MacSheoras Wills records and provide a focal point to be services of the national or regional The Objectives of the Clan Gunn Kean MacWilliam Wilson considered the ancestral home of the genealogists to research their ancestry. Society of North America: Keene Magnus Wylie Clan. Each membership is also entitled to one MacAllister Magnusson Wyllie It is the center around which the triennial vote in the annual election of officers via a 1- to promote the spirit of kinship MacChurner Main International Gathering of Clan Gunn mail-in ballot sent to each member 45 among our members; MacComas Mains takes place. days before the AGM. 2- to educate members in the What is a Sept? The Clan Gunn Society of North Clan Gunn has four different registered traditions of our common heritage; America tartans and members are urged to wear A sept can be either a small clan whose the tartan at all Scottish functions as well 3- to preserve memorabilia lands neighbored those of a larger, This society was organized in 1969 and as on special family occasions. The representative of our members stronger clan, a clan who had lost their includes the USA and all provinces of Wilson and Henderson septs have a and their achievements by chief, or the families created by Canada, except Nova Scotia, which has registered tartan which they are privileged providing a central repository; and descendants of the chief. In the case of its own society. The Society is divided to wear. When you wear your tartan, Clan Gunn, the sons of the Crowner (first into 20 branches, each headed by a wear it proudly! 4- to engender pride of our Scottish chief) were James, William, and Robert, commissioner. The national Society is heritage thus Jamison and its variations, etc. The headed by a president who holds an Juniper is the accepted plant badge. Clan clansmen of a sept looked to, and aligned Annual General Meeting (AGM) at one of Gunn has its own bagpipe music, “Failte themselves, with a larger clan for the established highland non Guinneach”, which translates from the protection. games/gatherings in North America. A Gaelic as “The Gunn’s Salute.” .