History of the Clan MacKinnon Society
Our Society History
On December 22, 1891, at a meeting held in Glasgow, Clan MacKinnon Society was born. Twenty-five clansmen were present at the first meeting. During the preliminary meetings the matter of who held the chiefship of the clan was raised. William Alexander MacKinnon of Kent, whose father had been recognized Chief of MacKinnon by the Lord Lyon in 1811, was declared by the Society to be the recognized Chief of the Clan.
The Society grew rapidly during the years around the turn of the century and sponsored events throughout the year. At its founding the purpose of the Clan MacKinnon Society was understood to be about fostering clan sentiment, hosting social events for members, providing assistance to deserving clansmen, encouraging education, collecting and preserving clan records and traditions, and supporting Celtic literature and Highland arts and industries.
For several years after World War II, Clan MacKinnon Society continued to enjoy considerable popularity and a vibrant membership. British society, however, began to change. Throughout the 1960s, enrollment markedly declined as the membership aged. In 1975, Clan MacKinnon Society in the United Kingdom closed its books.
As Clan MacKinnon Society in the United Kingdom was finalizing its affairs, Mrs. Joanne MacKinnon Osbourne and her brother, Clinton, began investigating the possible establishment of a society in the United States. Neil MacKinnon of MacKinnon, then Chief of the Clan, gave his permission to found a new society. By 1980 Clan MacKinnon Society of North America was constituted and two years later boasted some 57 members. The purpose of the North American society echoed that of its predecessor.
During a 2005 reorganization meeting in Pleasanton, California, the Representative of the Chief and some 20 clansmen gathered to affirm the spirit of the modern Clan MacKinnon Society and acknowledge its Scottish roots and heritage. The “of North America” was eventually dropped to better show inclusivity for the many international members who had joined over the years.
Clan MacKinnon Society is now striving to unite MacKinnons and their descendants worldwide in their ancient fellowship, to promote the spirit of clanship, and cultivate an understanding and appreciation for the culture and history of Scotland. Clan MacKinnon Society is eager to face the future. Join us! Become a member today!
Equity Statement
The Clan MacKinnon Society (CMS) is aware of a report that a MacKinnon forebear was engaged in the slave trade. We denounce this activity and any other form of racial discrimination in the strongest possible terms. The Society, through its policies and procedures, is committed to the creation and preservation of an equitable and inclusive environment.
For further historical context, the following links are provided:
"Slavery and the Slave Trade" - National Records of Scotland
"Scotland and the Slave Trade" - National Library of Scotland
"Scots and Caribbean Slavery" - A Glasgow-West Indies Sojourn
Copyright © 2021 Clan MacKinnon Society. All rights reserved.
On December 22, 1891, at a meeting held in Glasgow, Clan MacKinnon Society was born. Twenty-five clansmen were present at the first meeting. During the preliminary meetings the matter of who held the chiefship of the clan was raised. William Alexander MacKinnon of Kent, whose father had been recognized Chief of MacKinnon by the Lord Lyon in 1811, was declared by the Society to be the recognized Chief of the Clan.
The Society grew rapidly during the years around the turn of the century and sponsored events throughout the year. At its founding the purpose of the Clan MacKinnon Society was understood to be about fostering clan sentiment, hosting social events for members, providing assistance to deserving clansmen, encouraging education, collecting and preserving clan records and traditions, and supporting Celtic literature and Highland arts and industries.
For several years after World War II, Clan MacKinnon Society continued to enjoy considerable popularity and a vibrant membership. British society, however, began to change. Throughout the 1960s, enrollment markedly declined as the membership aged. In 1975, Clan MacKinnon Society in the United Kingdom closed its books.
As Clan MacKinnon Society in the United Kingdom was finalizing its affairs, Mrs. Joanne MacKinnon Osbourne and her brother, Clinton, began investigating the possible establishment of a society in the United States. Neil MacKinnon of MacKinnon, then Chief of the Clan, gave his permission to found a new society. By 1980 Clan MacKinnon Society of North America was constituted and two years later boasted some 57 members. The purpose of the North American society echoed that of its predecessor.
During a 2005 reorganization meeting in Pleasanton, California, the Representative of the Chief and some 20 clansmen gathered to affirm the spirit of the modern Clan MacKinnon Society and acknowledge its Scottish roots and heritage. The “of North America” was eventually dropped to better show inclusivity for the many international members who had joined over the years.
Clan MacKinnon Society is now striving to unite MacKinnons and their descendants worldwide in their ancient fellowship, to promote the spirit of clanship, and cultivate an understanding and appreciation for the culture and history of Scotland. Clan MacKinnon Society is eager to face the future. Join us! Become a member today!
Equity Statement
The Clan MacKinnon Society (CMS) is aware of a report that a MacKinnon forebear was engaged in the slave trade. We denounce this activity and any other form of racial discrimination in the strongest possible terms. The Society, through its policies and procedures, is committed to the creation and preservation of an equitable and inclusive environment.
For further historical context, the following links are provided:
"Slavery and the Slave Trade" - National Records of Scotland
"Scotland and the Slave Trade" - National Library of Scotland
"Scots and Caribbean Slavery" - A Glasgow-West Indies Sojourn
Copyright © 2021 Clan MacKinnon Society. All rights reserved.