Clan Cameron
Clan Cameron, a West Highland Scottish clan, has one main branch called Lochiel, and several cadet branches. Their lands are situated in Lochaber, and within their territory lies Ben Nevis, the highest mountain in the British Isles. The chief of the clan is traditionally referred to as Lochiel.
The origins of Clan Cameron are unclear, and there are various theories. According to tradition, the Camerons are believed to be descendants of a Danish prince who aided the restoration of Fergus II. Their progenitor was supposedly called Cameron because of his crooked nose (cam-shròn in Scottish Gaelic), which is a common practice of giving nicknames in Gaelic culture. His dependants then adopted the name. It is also possible that the first confirmed chief, Donald Dubh, was descended from the medieval family of Cameron of Ballegarno in Fife.
Around the start of the 15th century, or possibly earlier, the Camerons established themselves as a Highland clan in the western end of the Great Glen in Lochaber. This was likely achieved through the marriage of a local heiress from the Mael-anfhaidh kindred, known as the Clan Mael-anfaidh, which Moncreiffe translates as children of He who was Dedicated to the Storm. The Collins Scottish Clan Encyclopedia suggests that the heiress was from the MacMartin of Letterfinlay family. As the Mael-anfhaidh chiefship passed into the Cameron family, the local families of MacMartin of Letterfinlay, MacGillonie of Strone, and MacSorley of Glen Nevis were absorbed into the incoming Clan Cameron. Consequently, the early chiefs of the Highland Camerons were sometimes referred to as MacGillonay. Further studies of Manuscript 1467 have provided more insight into the relationships between the Camerons, MacGillonies, MacMartins, and others. Since the 15th century, however, Clan Cameron chiefs have been more commonly styled Mac Dhomnuill Dubh, in reference to the first Cameron chief whose succession can be traced. Donald Dubh was the first authentic chief or captain of this confederation of tribes, which gradually became known as the Clan Cameron. The clan was first officially recognized by that name in a charter of 1472.
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