Clan Cameron

Crest & Motto

Clan Cameron crest 3D model with Aonaibh Ri Cheile motto, STL file for 3D printing or CNC carving The Cameron crest shows a sheaf of five arrows bound together, and the Gaelic motto is Aonaibh Ri Cheile: unite.

History

The Cameron plate from R.R. McIan's The Clans of the Scottish Highlands, 1845. — The Cameron plate from R.R. McIan’s The Clans of the Scottish Highlands, 1845.

Clan Cameron’s name is usually derived from the Gaelic cam-shron, crooked nose, a byname of an early chief. The clan emerges clearly in the 14th and 15th centuries in Lochaber, and its heartland has never moved: the country between Loch Eil, Loch Arkaig and Loch Lochy in the western Great Glen, with the chief’s seat at Achnacarry. The chiefs take the territorial title of Lochiel. An old saying called the Camerons fiercer than fierceness itself, and for centuries they fought a running feud with the Mackintoshes and Clan Chattan over disputed Lochaber lands.

Sir Ewen Cameron of Lochiel, the 17th chief, was one of the great figures of 17th century Scotland: he held out against Cromwell’s occupation longer than almost anyone. His grandson Donald Cameron, the Gentle Lochiel, was the moral weight of the 1745 rising. Prince Charles Edward Stuart could not have raised his standard at Glenfinnan without Lochiel’s reluctant commitment, and the Camerons fought through the whole campaign to Culloden.

The clan paid heavily. Achnacarry was burned by government troops in 1746, the estates were forfeited, and Lochiel died in French exile. The lands were restored to the family in 1784, and the present Achnacarry Castle was built in the early 19th century. Emigration from Lochaber created large Cameron communities in Canada, especially Glengarry County in Ontario, the United States, Australia and New Zealand. In the Second World War Achnacarry earned new fame as the Commando Basic Training Centre, and the Clan Cameron Museum at Achnacarry tells both stories.

Clan Chief

The current chief is Donald Andrew John Cameron of Lochiel, 28th Chief, who succeeded his father in 2023 and was created Baron Cameron of Lochiel in 2024. The seat remains Achnacarry.

Clan Tartan

The Cameron tartan in ancient colours. Sett recorded in 1842.

Septs and Family Names

Many family names are counted among the septs of Clan Cameron. If your surname appears here, your family history leads back to this clan: Chalmers, Chambers, Clark, Clarke, Clarkson, Cleary, Clerk, Dowie, Gibbon, Grimesey, Kennedy, Krywonis, Leary, Lokcick, Lonbie, Lonie, MacAldowie, MacAlonie, MacChlerich, MacChlery, MacClair, MacClerie, MacElhaney, MacGillery, MacGillonie, MacIldowie, MacKail, MacKell, MacLear, MacLeary, MacLerie, MacMartin, MacOnie, MacOstrich, MacOurlic, MacPhail, MacSorley, MacUlric, MacUlrig, MacVail, MacWalrick, Martin, Paul, Sorley, Sorlie, Taylor.

Unsure how clan names, crests and septs work? Our guide to Scottish clan names explains the rules.