welcome to the clan mcculloch clan society

Clan McCulloch is an “armigerous clan is a Scottish clan, family or name which is registered with the Court of the Lord Lyon and once had a chief who bore undifferenced arms, but does not have a chief currently recognized as such by Lyon Court.” In the case of Clan McCulloch, our last legally documented chief was John McCulloch of Barholm who died in 1851. Just as many Scots have spread around the world as part of the “Scottish Diaspora” the McCullochs (of various spellings) are now found around the world, primarily in English speaking countries of North America and Australia. The first emigration wave from Galloway, Scotland was when McCullochs moved to Antrim, Northern Ireland. The McCullochs, notably James McCulloch of Grogan, played a prominent role in the Ulster Plantation attracting protestant Scots to settle in Northern Ireland. By the time of the American colonies some of the remaining McCullochs of Myrton migrated to Northern Ireland and North America. In the diaspora, the name took on a variety of spellings including McCullough and McCulloh, among others.

Today, members of other families and clans have formed “clan societies.” It should be noted that clan society is not synonymous with a clan and has no inherent authority to name a clan chief. However, a clan society serves various functions of fostering heritage, familial affinity, and genealogical research. In the absence of a clan chief for hundreds of years, and the scattering of McCullochs around the globe, a clan society might serve the function of reconnecting McCulloch descendants with their heritage, kin, and ancestors.

The purpose of the newly formed Clan McCulloch Clan Society includes:

• Collecting and preserving historical materials related to the Clan.
• Correcting the clan history and providing an integrated, cohesive story of the clan.
• Encouraging and supporting DNA and genealogical research related to Clan McCulloch, and McCulloch families of all spelling variations.

• Encouraging tourism to Scotland and Northern Ireland, particularly to sites of importance to Clan McCulloch.

• Fostering academic study in traditionally Scottish topic areas through scholarship programs. To perpetuate Scottish traditions and customs, promote Clan affinity and kinship

McCulloughs and Mccullochs unite

Since the inception of the Clan Society, we have seen many similarly sounding surnames like McCullough, McCulloch, McCullah, McCollough, McCullers, and more. The truth be told, these names may not represent related kindreds. In fact, Y DNA indicates that there are multiple distinct families bearing similarly sounded names. Nevertheless, we welcome all inquiries and participants. While a chiefly Y DNA line has been identified for Clan McCulloch, the Clan Society believes in a big tent. We recognize that the throughout the diaspora, people are trying to recreate with their Scottish and Irish ancestors. We are here to facilitate that journey.

Credit: A Border Keep, Horatio McCulloch: Dundee Art Galleries and Museums Collection (Dundee City Council)