This book is about the origins of the Irish and Scottish surnames of millions of Americans and Canadians. As such, its purpose is to provide in one volume an authoritative and comprehensive account of the Gaelic tribes and clans.

Though prior to the seventeenth century Ireland and Scotland were in many ways a single cultural unit, scholars since have skirted this issue, along with the issue of past Irish and Scottish Gaelic tribalism, and this is probably a result of their not spending the time to break into the enigma of Gaelic language and culture. As a result, they have tried to categorize Ireland and Scotland separately, and generally as a backwater of English history.

This book provides a fresh, historically accurate treatment of the subject by considering both Gaelic areas, Ireland and Scotland, at once, and in the light of the best modern information from such fields as anthropology, history, folklore, genealogy, heraldry, literature and linguistics.

Part One of Clans and Families provides the reader with an historical overview of the lost tribal culture of Ireland and Scotland. In Part Two, the reader is provided with information on the origins of specific Irish and Scottish families/surnames as they developed from clan and tribal names/groups.

This book combines genealogical, historical and anthropological information on Irish and Scottish clan-families in one volume. Clans and Families bridges the gap between these early tribes and the great clan-families of the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, showing their relationships and connection to each other through branches, subtribes, and clans.

Easy to read, the volume is well-indexed, and complemented with charts and maps.

Read what others are saying!

--From Book News, Inc. , June 1, 1989
Comprises two parts which examine social and chronological history, and how Gaelic society was influenced by Christianity and paganism. There is also a compilation of histories by ethnic group and tribe. Annotation copyright Book News, Inc. Portland, Or.

--GLJ, Issue 15, page 49. Omnibus 11:55
This is an authoritative and readable presentation of the origins of Irish and Scottish families. The scholarship is outstanding. A highly recommended book.

--Eire/Ireland: Spring 90
"Cairney's historical overview is very detailed and informative...." "... a wealth of detailed and interesting information."

--Books in Scotland: #34
"This book is an interesting and worthwhile read...."

--Friends of Genealogy: Vol 1, #4, Fall 89
"An easy-to-read history and origins of 1000 plus Irish and Scottish families, clans, and tribes (all indexed by modern surname)."

--North Carolina Genealogical Society Journal: May 89
"Of major importance