Chiefs of Clan MacLeod
Encyclopedia
The Chiefs of Clan MacLeod claim descent from Leod
, a high-born Norse-Gael who is thought to have lived in the 13th century, but whose ancestors are known from multiple pedigrees at least into the early 12th or late 11th centuries. It is said that the chiefs of the clan have been seated at Dunvegan Castle
since the time of Leod, and this on the Isle of Skye where for centuries they were sovereign within their own territories.
In the early 20th century, the immediate senior male-line of the chiefs ended with Dame Flora MacLeod of MacLeod
, 28th chief, daughter of Sir Reginald MacLeod of MacLeod
, 27th chief. Sir Reginald was the first president of the Clan MacLeod Society, and his daughter also became president. Dame Flora selected one of her grandsons, John Wolrige-Gordon, as her successor. John later changed his surname to MacLeod of MacLeod, and on his grandmother's death in 1976 inherited Dunvegan Castle and the MacLeod estate. He was recognised by MacLeod clan societies as the 29th chief of the clan, and granted the chiefly arms by the Lord Lyon King of Arms
. His son, Hugh Magnus MacLeod of MacLeod
, is currently recognised by the Associated Clan MacLeod Societies as the clan's 30th chief.
In recent years, an Australian MacLeod has claimed to be the rightful chief because he is acknowledged as having a direct male-line descent from a 17th century chief, and is the senior agnate of the senior cadet branch
, now technically the senior line itself. His supporters would contend that, because Guy MacLeod of Talisker is the senior agnate, he is the legitimate, de jure
Chief of Clan MacLeod, regardless of any recognition given to the de facto
chiefs by the Court of the Lord Lyon
or by the modern clan society itself (which is not the same entity as the ancient Clan MacLeod
). Guy MacLeod of Talisker has stated that he has no interest in the estates, only wanting acknowledgement of his right to the title. See agnatic seniority
.
, 24th chief, died in 1895, leaving three sons. Norman Magnus MacLeod of MacLeod
succeeded his father, becoming the 25th chief. The entail of the estate stipulated that Dunvegan Castle
would only pass to a male, and on the failure of the male line to the daughter of the last surviving son. Norman Magnus died in 1929, and was succeeded by his brother, Sir Reginald MacLeod of MacLeod
, 27th chief. On the death of Sir Reginald's younger brother, Canon Roderick MacLeod, in 1934, Sir Reginald's daughter, Flora
, became heir to the estate. On the death of Sir Reginald, in 1935, Flora inherited Dunvegan Castle and the MacLeod estate. Flora MacLeod of MacLeod was recognised as the clan's chief by the Clan MacLeod Society, which was first formed in the 19th century. She was later granted the arms
of MacLeod of MacLeod by the Lord Lyon King of Arms
. Dame Flora chose one of her grandsons as her successor, John Woolridge-Gordon
, younger son of Robert Wolrige-Gordon and Joan Walter (daughter of Dame Flora). On being chosen heir, John changed his surname
to MacLeod of MacLeod, and on his grandmother's death in 1976, inherited the castle and estate. John MacLeod of MacLeod was also recognised as the clan's chief by the society, and was later granted his grandmother's arms by the Lord Lyon. On his death in 2007, John was succeeded by his son, Hugh Magnus MacLeod of MacLeod
, who was recognised as the clan's 30th chief by the Associated Clan MacLeod Societies, and granted his father's arms by the Lord Lyon.
, from Australia, claimed to be the rightful chief of Clan MacLeod. Talisker traces his descent, in the direct male-line, from the 17th century chief Sir Rory Mor MacLeod
; a descent acknowledged by leading clan genealogists. Talisker has stated that he is "keen that the bloodline shouldn't be lost". The present chiefs, recognised by the Clan MacLeod Societies, descend from Dame Flora MacLeod of MacLeod (d.1976), but are descended in the direct male-line from Robert Wolrige-Gordon (d.1939), husband of Dame Flora's daughter, Joan Walter. Talisker is quoted as asking, "How could John have been the chief of the MacLeods when he wasn't even a MacLeod?"
Leod
Leod is considered the eponymous ancestor and founder of Clan MacLeod and Clan MacLeod of Lewis. Almost nothing is known about him and he does not appear in any contemporary records. Tradition dating to the late 18th century made him a son of Olaf the Black who was King of Man...
, a high-born Norse-Gael who is thought to have lived in the 13th century, but whose ancestors are known from multiple pedigrees at least into the early 12th or late 11th centuries. It is said that the chiefs of the clan have been seated at Dunvegan Castle
Dunvegan Castle
Dunvegan Castle is a castle a mile and a half to the North of Dunvegan on the Isle of Skye, situated off the west coast of Scotland. It is the seat of the MacLeod of MacLeod, chief of the Clan MacLeod. Dunvegan Castle is the oldest continuously inhabited castle in Scotland and has been the...
since the time of Leod, and this on the Isle of Skye where for centuries they were sovereign within their own territories.
In the early 20th century, the immediate senior male-line of the chiefs ended with Dame Flora MacLeod of MacLeod
Flora MacLeod of MacLeod
Dame Flora MacLeod of MacLeod, DBE was the 28th chief of Clan MacLeod. Dunvegan Castle in Skye is the 800 year old MacLeod family seat.-Early years:...
, 28th chief, daughter of Sir Reginald MacLeod of MacLeod
Reginald MacLeod of MacLeod
Sir Reginald MacLeod of MacLeod, KCB was the 27th chief of the Scottish clan Clan MacLeod.-Biography:...
, 27th chief. Sir Reginald was the first president of the Clan MacLeod Society, and his daughter also became president. Dame Flora selected one of her grandsons, John Wolrige-Gordon, as her successor. John later changed his surname to MacLeod of MacLeod, and on his grandmother's death in 1976 inherited Dunvegan Castle and the MacLeod estate. He was recognised by MacLeod clan societies as the 29th chief of the clan, and granted the chiefly arms by the Lord Lyon King of Arms
Lord Lyon King of Arms
The Lord Lyon King of Arms, the head of Lyon Court, is the most junior of the Great Officers of State in Scotland and is the Scottish official with responsibility for regulating heraldry in that country, issuing new grants of arms, and serving as the judge of the Court of the Lord Lyon, the oldest...
. His son, Hugh Magnus MacLeod of MacLeod
Hugh Magnus MacLeod of MacLeod
Hugh MacLeod of MacLeod is Chief of Clan MacLeod and is currently representing the Associated Clan MacLeod Societies in the Standing Council of Scottish Chiefs...
, is currently recognised by the Associated Clan MacLeod Societies as the clan's 30th chief.
In recent years, an Australian MacLeod has claimed to be the rightful chief because he is acknowledged as having a direct male-line descent from a 17th century chief, and is the senior agnate of the senior cadet branch
Cadet branch
Cadet branch is a term in genealogy to describe the lineage of the descendants of the younger sons of a monarch or patriarch. In the ruling dynasties and noble families of much of Europe and Asia, the family's major assets – titles, realms, fiefs, property and income – have...
, now technically the senior line itself. His supporters would contend that, because Guy MacLeod of Talisker is the senior agnate, he is the legitimate, de jure
De jure
De jure is an expression that means "concerning law", as contrasted with de facto, which means "concerning fact".De jure = 'Legally', De facto = 'In fact'....
Chief of Clan MacLeod, regardless of any recognition given to the de facto
De facto
De facto is a Latin expression that means "concerning fact." In law, it often means "in practice but not necessarily ordained by law" or "in practice or actuality, but not officially established." It is commonly used in contrast to de jure when referring to matters of law, governance, or...
chiefs by the Court of the Lord Lyon
Court of the Lord Lyon
The Court of the Lord Lyon, also known as the Lyon Court, is a standing court of law which regulates heraldry in Scotland. Like the College of Arms in England it maintains the register of grants of arms, known as the Public Register of All Arms and Bearings in Scotland, as well as records of...
or by the modern clan society itself (which is not the same entity as the ancient Clan MacLeod
Clan MacLeod
Clan MacLeod is a Highland Scottish clan associated with the Isle of Skye. There are two main branches of the clan: the Macleods of Harris and Dunvegan, whose chief is Macleod of Macleod, are known in Gaelic as Sìol Tormoid ; the Macleods of Lewis, whose chief is Macleod of The Lewes, are known in...
). Guy MacLeod of Talisker has stated that he has no interest in the estates, only wanting acknowledgement of his right to the title. See agnatic seniority
Agnatic seniority
Agnatic seniority is a patrilineal principle of inheritance where the order of succession to the throne prefers the monarch's younger brother over the monarch's own sons. A monarch's children succeed only after the males of the elder generation have all been exhausted...
.
List of chiefs
| # | Name | Dates | Ancestral notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Leod Leod Leod is considered the eponymous ancestor and founder of Clan MacLeod and Clan MacLeod of Lewis. Almost nothing is known about him and he does not appear in any contemporary records. Tradition dating to the late 18th century made him a son of Olaf the Black who was King of Man... (Leòd) |
c.1200–1280. | Traditionally said to be a son of Olaf the Black, however this is no longer regarded as fact. Today his ancestry is considered uncertain. |
| 2 | Norman (Tormod) | aft.1220–bef.1280. | Son of Leod. Nothing certain is known about him. |
| 3 | Malcolm Malcolm MacLeod (clan chief) Malcolm MacLeod is considered to be the third chief of Clan MacLeod. He was the son of Tormod. Malcolm and his kinsman Torquil are the first MacLeod chiefs to appear in contemporary records. Clan tradition states he was the greatest hero of the clan and links him to the origin of the clan relic... (Gillecaluim) |
1296–1370. | Son of Norman. Considered the elder brother of Murdoch (Murchadh) whom Clan Macleod of The Lewes are thought to descend from. |
| 4 | John Iain Ciar MacLeod Iain Ciar MacLeod is considered to be fourth chief of Clan MacLeod. He was the eldest son of, and is thought to have succeeded his father, Malcolm, in the years spanning 1360–1370. Clan tradition states that he was the most tyrannical of all MacLeod chiefs... (Iain Ciar) |
1320–1392. | Son of Malcolm. |
| 5 | William 'the Clerk' William Cleireach MacLeod William Cleireach MacLeod is considered to be fifth chief of Clan MacLeod. He was a younger son of chief Iain Ciar and was originally intended to enter the church, as his nickname shows; however, on the death of his elder brother, William Cleireach became the heir to the chiefship... (Uilleam Cleireach) |
1365–1409. | Son of John. |
| 6 | John 'the Turbulent' Iain Borb MacLeod Iain Borb MacLeod is considered to be the sixth chief of Clan MacLeod. He is the first MacLeod chief to which heraldry can be assigned... (Iain Borb) |
1392–1448. | Son of William. |
| 7 | William 'Long Sword' William Dubh MacLeod William Dubh MacLeod is considered to be the seventh chief of Clan MacLeod. He is thought to have been a younger son, yet because of the death of his elder brother, William Dubh succeeded his father, Iain Borb, in the year 1442... (Uilleam Dubh) |
1415–1480. | Son of John 'the Turbulent'. |
| 8 | Alexander 'the Humpbacked' Alasdair Crotach MacLeod Alasdair Crotach MacLeod is considered to be the eighth chief of Scottish Clan MacLeod. He was the son of the seventh chief William Dubh and succeeded his father in 1480, following William Dubh's death at the Battle of Bloody Bay. He was the first MacLeod chief not to be buried on the island of... (Alasdair Crotach) |
1455–1547. | Son of William 'Long Sword'. |
| 9 | William | 1505–1551. | Son of Alexander. |
| 10 | Mary | 1543–aft.1602. | Daughter of William. |
| 11 | Donald | c.1507–1557. | Younger son of Alexander (and younger brother of William and in consequence uncle to Mary). |
| 12 | Norman (Tormod) | c.1509–1589. | Younger son of Alexander (and younger brother of Donald, William and in consequence uncle to Mary). |
| 13 | William | c.1560–1590. | Son of Norman. |
| 14 | John | 1580–1595. | Son of William. |
| 15 | Sir Sir Sir is an honorific used as a title , or as a courtesy title to address a man without using his given or family name in many English speaking cultures... Roderick Roderick Macleod of Macleod Sir Roderick Macleod of Macleod, also known as Rory Mor, was the 15th chief of Clan MacLeod. His seat as Clan Chief was Dunvegan Castle.-Biography:... (Rory Mor; Ruairidh Mor) |
c.1562–1626. | Son of Norman (and younger brother of William and in consequence uncle to John). |
| 16 | John (Iain Mor) | 1595–1649. | Son of Sir Roderick. |
| 17 | Roderick 'the Witty' (Ruairidh Mir) | 1635–1664. | Son of John. |
| 18 | John 'the Speckled' (Iain Breac) | 1637–1693. | Son of John. |
| 19 | Roderick (Ruairidh Og) | 1674–1699. | Son of John 'the Speckled'. |
| 20 | Norman | 1685–1706. | Son of John 'the Speckled'. |
| 21 | John | 1704–1706. | Son of Norman. |
| 22 | Norman 'the Wicked Man' Norman MacLeod (The Wicked Man) Norman MacLeod , also known in his own time and within clan tradition as The Wicked Man , was an 18th century politician, and a clan chief of Clan MacLeod. In the 20th century, one chief of Clan MacLeod attempted to have his nickname changed from The Wicked Man, to The Red Man... |
1705–1772. | Son of Norman. |
| 23 | Norman 'the General' | 1754–1801. | Son of a younger son of Norman 'the Red Man'. |
| 24 | John Norman | 1788–1835. | Son of 'the General'. |
| 25 | Norman Norman MacLeod of MacLeod Norman MacLeod of MacLeod was the 25th chief of the Scottish clan Clan MacLeod.-Biography:Norman MacLeod of MacLeod was born on 18 July 1812 at Dunvegan, Skye. He was the son of John Norman MacLeod of MacLeod , 24th chief of Clan MacLeod and his wife Anne Stephenson... |
1812–1895. | Eldest son (second child) of John Norman. |
| 26 | Norman Magnus Norman Magnus MacLeod of MacLeod Norman Magnus MacLeod of MacLeod, was the 26th chief of Clan MacLeod.-Biography:Norman Magnus MacLeod of MacLeod was born on 27 July 1839. He was the eldest son of Norman MacLeod of MacLeod , 25th chief of Clan MacLeod and his wife Louisa Barbara St John , only daughter of the 14th Baron St John... |
1839–1929. | Eldest son (second child) of Norman. |
| 27 | Sir Reginald Reginald MacLeod of MacLeod Sir Reginald MacLeod of MacLeod, KCB was the 27th chief of the Scottish clan Clan MacLeod.-Biography:... , KCB Order of the Bath The Most Honourable Order of the Bath is a British order of chivalry founded by George I on 18 May 1725. The name derives from the elaborate mediæval ceremony for creating a knight, which involved bathing as one of its elements. The knights so created were known as Knights of the Bath... |
1847–1935. | Third son (fourth child) of Norman. |
| 28 | Dame Dame (title) The title of Dame is the female equivalent of the honour of knighthood in the British honours system . It is also the equivalent form address to 'Sir' for a knight... Flora Louise Cecilia Flora MacLeod of MacLeod Dame Flora MacLeod of MacLeod, DBE was the 28th chief of Clan MacLeod. Dunvegan Castle in Skye is the 800 year old MacLeod family seat.-Early years:... , DBE Order of the British Empire The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions... |
1878–1976. | Eldest daughter of Sir Reginald. |
| 29 | John John MacLeod of MacLeod John MacLeod of MacLeod, born as John Wolrige-Gordon, was the 29th chief of Clan MacLeod. Faced with the need for expensive repairs to the clan's seat at Dunvegan Castle on the Isle of Skye, his proposed methods to raise funds caused considerable controversy... |
1935–2007. | Younger son of a daughter of Flora Louise Cecilia. Named as heir by his grandmother in 1951 after changing his surname to Macleod of Macleod. |
| 30 | Hugh Magnus Hugh Magnus MacLeod of MacLeod Hugh MacLeod of MacLeod is Chief of Clan MacLeod and is currently representing the Associated Clan MacLeod Societies in the Standing Council of Scottish Chiefs... |
1973– | Second son of John. |
Woolridge-Gordon family
Norman MacLeod of MacLeodNorman MacLeod of MacLeod
Norman MacLeod of MacLeod was the 25th chief of the Scottish clan Clan MacLeod.-Biography:Norman MacLeod of MacLeod was born on 18 July 1812 at Dunvegan, Skye. He was the son of John Norman MacLeod of MacLeod , 24th chief of Clan MacLeod and his wife Anne Stephenson...
, 24th chief, died in 1895, leaving three sons. Norman Magnus MacLeod of MacLeod
Norman Magnus MacLeod of MacLeod
Norman Magnus MacLeod of MacLeod, was the 26th chief of Clan MacLeod.-Biography:Norman Magnus MacLeod of MacLeod was born on 27 July 1839. He was the eldest son of Norman MacLeod of MacLeod , 25th chief of Clan MacLeod and his wife Louisa Barbara St John , only daughter of the 14th Baron St John...
succeeded his father, becoming the 25th chief. The entail of the estate stipulated that Dunvegan Castle
Dunvegan Castle
Dunvegan Castle is a castle a mile and a half to the North of Dunvegan on the Isle of Skye, situated off the west coast of Scotland. It is the seat of the MacLeod of MacLeod, chief of the Clan MacLeod. Dunvegan Castle is the oldest continuously inhabited castle in Scotland and has been the...
would only pass to a male, and on the failure of the male line to the daughter of the last surviving son. Norman Magnus died in 1929, and was succeeded by his brother, Sir Reginald MacLeod of MacLeod
Reginald MacLeod of MacLeod
Sir Reginald MacLeod of MacLeod, KCB was the 27th chief of the Scottish clan Clan MacLeod.-Biography:...
, 27th chief. On the death of Sir Reginald's younger brother, Canon Roderick MacLeod, in 1934, Sir Reginald's daughter, Flora
Flora MacLeod of MacLeod
Dame Flora MacLeod of MacLeod, DBE was the 28th chief of Clan MacLeod. Dunvegan Castle in Skye is the 800 year old MacLeod family seat.-Early years:...
, became heir to the estate. On the death of Sir Reginald, in 1935, Flora inherited Dunvegan Castle and the MacLeod estate. Flora MacLeod of MacLeod was recognised as the clan's chief by the Clan MacLeod Society, which was first formed in the 19th century. She was later granted the arms
Coat of arms
A coat of arms is a unique heraldic design on a shield or escutcheon or on a surcoat or tabard used to cover and protect armour and to identify the wearer. Thus the term is often stated as "coat-armour", because it was anciently displayed on the front of a coat of cloth...
of MacLeod of MacLeod by the Lord Lyon King of Arms
Lord Lyon King of Arms
The Lord Lyon King of Arms, the head of Lyon Court, is the most junior of the Great Officers of State in Scotland and is the Scottish official with responsibility for regulating heraldry in that country, issuing new grants of arms, and serving as the judge of the Court of the Lord Lyon, the oldest...
. Dame Flora chose one of her grandsons as her successor, John Woolridge-Gordon
John MacLeod of MacLeod
John MacLeod of MacLeod, born as John Wolrige-Gordon, was the 29th chief of Clan MacLeod. Faced with the need for expensive repairs to the clan's seat at Dunvegan Castle on the Isle of Skye, his proposed methods to raise funds caused considerable controversy...
, younger son of Robert Wolrige-Gordon and Joan Walter (daughter of Dame Flora). On being chosen heir, John changed his surname
Surname
A surname is a name added to a given name and is part of a personal name. In many cases, a surname is a family name. Many dictionaries define "surname" as a synonym of "family name"...
to MacLeod of MacLeod, and on his grandmother's death in 1976, inherited the castle and estate. John MacLeod of MacLeod was also recognised as the clan's chief by the society, and was later granted his grandmother's arms by the Lord Lyon. On his death in 2007, John was succeeded by his son, Hugh Magnus MacLeod of MacLeod
Hugh Magnus MacLeod of MacLeod
Hugh MacLeod of MacLeod is Chief of Clan MacLeod and is currently representing the Associated Clan MacLeod Societies in the Standing Council of Scottish Chiefs...
, who was recognised as the clan's 30th chief by the Associated Clan MacLeod Societies, and granted his father's arms by the Lord Lyon.
Rival claims by MacLeod of Talisker
In 2007, following the death of John MacLeod of MacLeod, Guy MacLeod of TaliskerTalisker, Skye
Talisker is a settlement on the Minginish peninsula in the Isle of Skye.-History:Talisker was for centuries a possession of the Clan Macleod. For nearly two hundred years it was associated with a cadet branch of the chiefly line, founded by Sir Roderick Macleod, 1st of Talisker...
, from Australia, claimed to be the rightful chief of Clan MacLeod. Talisker traces his descent, in the direct male-line, from the 17th century chief Sir Rory Mor MacLeod
Roderick Macleod of Macleod
Sir Roderick Macleod of Macleod, also known as Rory Mor, was the 15th chief of Clan MacLeod. His seat as Clan Chief was Dunvegan Castle.-Biography:...
; a descent acknowledged by leading clan genealogists. Talisker has stated that he is "keen that the bloodline shouldn't be lost". The present chiefs, recognised by the Clan MacLeod Societies, descend from Dame Flora MacLeod of MacLeod (d.1976), but are descended in the direct male-line from Robert Wolrige-Gordon (d.1939), husband of Dame Flora's daughter, Joan Walter. Talisker is quoted as asking, "How could John have been the chief of the MacLeods when he wasn't even a MacLeod?"