Why Are We Choosing A Commander

Commander Selection Process FAQ

Three feathers - fit for a Clan Chief's cap

Why Are We Choosing a Clan Commander?

In 1672, George Logan of that Ilk registered arms and was officially recognized

as the holder of the title “Logan of that Ilk,” which is seen today as analogous

to being the Chief of Name and Arms of Logan – or more popularly, Chief of

Clan Logan. At this time, Clan Logan has no chief as recognized under Scots

Law. The chiefly line ended in 1802, when the last chief, Hugh Logan, died

with no legitimate heirs.

The Family and Highland Clan of Logan is now called to come together as a

united family and select a clan commander, whose job will be, over at least a 10-

year period, to find the rightful heir to the title Chief of Name and Arms of

Logan.

For more information on the historical line of the Chiefs of Logan, please see

the Logan of that Ilk descent chart.

What Happens in the Search for a Clan Chief?

When a clan is without a living hereditary chief, the clan, or family, must

endeavor to locate the rightful heir to the name and arms of the chief of the clan.

If none is found, a clan commander may be appointed until the chief is found.

Under Scots Law, this process is governed and overseen by the Court of the

Lord Lyon, King of Arms.

Before petitioning the Court of the Lord Lyon, the clan shall have conducted

extensive research of genealogical records to try to locate the rightful heir. While

there is not a set minimum time for this, it is not unusual for a clan to spend 20

or more years looking for its chief before requesting appointment of a clan

commander.

The Court of the Lord Lyon will not entertain a request for

commandership of less than five years (even if there have been 40 years of

documented research). Ten years is generally seen as the minimum amount of

time for a commander to represent a clan searching for the hereditary chief.

The Family and Highland Clan of Logan, now in its 23rd year of searching for

the chief, has provided a report to the Court of the Lord Lyon in its petition for

a family convention, showing that at this time, we have exhausted all search capabilities known to our researchers, to no avail, and are ready for the next

step, appointment of a clan commander.

Selecting a Clan Commander: How Does the Process Work?

The Family and Highland Clan of Logan is now fast approaching the time to name a clan commander who will work to find our chief. Currently, there are three candidates to consider:

J. Kevin Logan Robert Logan  Steven Logan

The qualifications for participating in a family convention changed recently. Before 2010, all participants in a family convention, traditionally called a derbhfine, had to be armigers in their own right, landowners, and titled (meaning they had to be Nobles). From 2010 onward, the rules have been more egalitarian, so that everyone of the name or with a qualified connection to the name can participate.

Between February 25 and March 27, 2025, any person with an interest in the Family and Highland Clan of Logan and its future may register to express their preference for who should serve as Commander of Logan, provided that person has the legal surname Logan, through birth, adoption, or marriage, or who can prove by genealogical evidence direct descendancy from a person whose surname was Logan through birth or adoption. Participants will need to register in advance and will need to provide, via an online form, information related to their request to participate in the confirmation.

Consider this process a family conversation rather than a vote. Each family member shall communicate which candidate they believe is the best choice for Clan Commander and shall provide their reasoning for this belief. This communication shall be made by the family member to the Clan Logan Society International Heritage Officer, Mr. Caleb E. Logan.

After the candidates are introduced in an online forum on February 25, 2025, and no later than March 27, 2025, email Caleb at heritage@clanlogansoceity.org with your preference and the reason(s) you believe this is the best person to fill the role of Commander.

The Heritage Officer will consider the wishes of the family and will present the chosen candidate to the gathered members of the Family and Highland Clan ofLogan during the family convention on April 25, 2025. The members of Clan Logan will have the opportunity to affirm their support for the candidate, who will then be presented to an officer of the Court of the Lord Lyon for approval.

What Does the Clan Commander Do?

How the commander spends his time in service to the family is important. Research and evidence are vital. A commander’s first job is to do himself out of a job by finding

a living descendant of the last recognized chief. This will be a busy, hardworking

time. In the case of the Family and Highland Clan of Logan, every bit of research

is kept in a repository of Clan Logan Society International. Additionally, the commander will publicly represent the Logans at functions such as Highland Games, Burns Night Suppers, and other Scots-centric affairs. The purpose of this is to highlight to other clans and peers that the Family and Highland Clan of Logan is actively looking for any evidence of a hereditary chief.

Is DNA Involved in Finding the Chief?

DNA cannot be used to prove nor disprove the heir to the chiefship; the rules of the Lord Lyon do not permit the use of DNA to identify the Chief. Proof must come from historical records, legal documentation, birth, death, and marriage records, and tax and other official records.

Who is the Lord Lyon and What Does He Do?

The current Lord Lyon King of Arms is Joseph Morrow. The Court of the Lord Lyon was established in at least the year 1308. Under the Lyon King of Arms Act 1672, which provides the legal structure by which Lyon works, Lord Lyon is a Scottish judge as well as a minister of the Crown.

His job is to regulate heraldry in Scotland. The Lyon Court maintains the register of grants of arms, known as the Public Register of All Arms and Bearings in Scotland, as well as records of genealogies. Lord Lyon staff are civil servants funded by the Scottish government.

With the Scotland Act of 1998, devolution (transfer of power) reoccurred, creating a Scottish parliament and giving it taxing authority. Scotland had kept its legal structure in 1707, when the Act of Union created Great Britain. TheAct has been since added to but never repealed for 352 years. Pertinent to our purposes here is that the Lyon Court operates under Scots Law. Interestingly, the Lord Lyon even has a procurator fiscal, which is a prosecutor; his heraldry is still inheritable property, still protected by law.

Can there be other Logan Chiefs or Chieftains?

In short, yes! The first to officially register his personal arms as Logan of that Ilk, George Logan of that Ilk, was a Lowland Logan. There are also Highland Logans. In particular, there is a significant group of Logans descended from the Drumdeurfit area. This group of Logans is in the early stages of searching for a Chieftain of the Highland Logans. Persons interested in learning more about this are encouraged to start a chat with the Society’s President, Kevin Logan. He can direct your inquiries to the right people.

What Other Clans Have Gone Through This Process?

We find ourselves in a unique, interesting, and culturally exciting exercise, but we are not alone. Several other clans have undergone this process recently, including Clan McEwen, which has been without a chief since 1449. In 2024, after 10 years of service by a clan commander, 161 members of Clan McEwen nominated a chief. Here are a few other clans also on this journey:

Baird Buchanan Carruthers

Currie Gunn MacAlpin

MacEwen MacFie McGilvary

Strachan

Clan Logan Why are we choosing a Clan Commander.pdf

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