Chiefs of Clan MacLeod facts for kids
The Chiefs of Clan MacLeod are leaders of a famous Scottish clan. They believe they are related to a powerful Norse-Gael man named Leod, who lived a long time ago in the 1200s. Their family has been important for even longer, possibly since the 1000s or 1100s. For many centuries, the chiefs have lived at Dunvegan Castle on the Isle of Skye. This castle has been their home and the center of their lands.
In 1716, a chief named Norman MacLeod (who was the 22nd chief) was given the special title of Lord MacLeod.
Later, in the early 1900s, the direct male family line of the chiefs ended. This happened with Dame Flora MacLeod of MacLeod, who was the 28th chief. She was the daughter of Sir Reginald MacLeod of MacLeod, the 27th chief. Dame Flora chose one of her grandsons, John Wolrige-Gordon, to be her successor. John later changed his last name to MacLeod of MacLeod. When his grandmother passed away in 1976, he inherited Dunvegan Castle and the MacLeod lands. He was recognized as the 29th chief. His second son, Hugh Magnus MacLeod of MacLeod, is now recognized as the clan's 30th chief.
Recently, a man from Australia named Guy MacLeod has said he should be the rightful chief. He believes this because his family line can be directly traced through male relatives back to a chief from the 1600s. His supporters argue that he is the true chief, even if others are recognized by the official groups. Guy MacLeod has said he doesn't want the castle or lands, only to be recognized as the rightful chief.
Who Were the Chiefs?
Not directly descended through the male family line from earlier chiefs
| # | Name | Dates | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Leod (Leòd) | c. 1200–1280. | The first chief. |
| 2 | Norman (Tormod) | aft.1220–bef.1280. | Leod's son. |
| 3 | Malcolm (Gillecaluim) | 1296–1370. | Son of Norman. |
| 4 | John (Iain Ciar) | 1320–1392. | Son of Malcolm. |
| 5 | William 'the Clerk' (Uilleam Cleireach) | 1365–1409. | Son of John. |
| 6 | John 'the Turbulent' (Iain Borb) | 1392–1448. | Son of William. |
| 7 | William 'Long Sword' (Uilleam Dubh) | 1415–1480. | Son of John 'the Turbulent'. |
| 8 | Alexander 'the Humpbacked' (Alasdair Crotach) | 1455–1547. | Son of William 'Long Sword'. |
| 9 | William | 1505–1551. | Son of Alexander. |
| 10 | Mary | 1543–aft.1602. | Daughter of William. |
| 11 | Donald | c. 1507–1557. | Alexander's younger son, Mary's uncle. |
| 12 | Norman (Tormod) | c. 1509–1589. | Alexander's younger son, Mary's uncle. |
| 13 | William | c. 1560–1590. | Son of Norman. |
| 14 | John | 1580–1595. | Son of William. |
| 15 | Sir Roderick (Rory Mor; Ruairidh Mor) | 1573–1626. | Norman's son, John's uncle. |
| 16 | John (Iain Mor) | 1595–1649. | Son of Sir Roderick. |
| 17 | Roderick 'the Witty' (Ruairidh Mir) | 1635–1664. | Son of John. |
| 18 | John 'the Speckled' (Iain Breac) | 1637–1693. | Son of John. |
| 19 | Roderick (Ruairidh Og) | 1674–1699. | Son of John 'the Speckled'. |
| 20 | Norman | 1685–1706. | Son of John 'the Speckled'. |
| 21 | John | 1704–1706. | Son of Norman. |
| 22 | Norman 'the Wicked Man' | 1705–1772. | Son of Norman. |
| 23 | Norman 'the General' | 1754–1801. | Grandson of Norman 'the Wicked Man'. |
| 24 | John Norman | 1788–1835. | Son of 'the General'. |
| 25 | Norman | 1812–1895. | Son of John Norman. |
| 26 | Norman Magnus | 1839–1929. | Son of Norman. |
| 27 | Sir Reginald, KCB | 1847–1935. | Son of Norman. |
| 28 | Dame Flora Louisa Cecilia, DBE | 1878–1976. | Daughter of Sir Reginald. |
| 29 | John | 1935–2007. | Grandson of Flora. He changed his last name to MacLeod of MacLeod. |
| 30 | Hugh Magnus | 1973–Present. | Son of John. |
How the Chiefs Are Chosen Now
The way the MacLeod chiefs are chosen has changed over time. For many years, the family lands and title of chief usually passed down to the oldest son. This was called the "male line."
When Norman MacLeod of MacLeod, the 25th chief, died in 1895, he had three sons. His oldest son, Norman Magnus MacLeod of MacLeod, became the 26th chief. When Norman Magnus died in 1929, his brother, Sir Reginald MacLeod of MacLeod, became the 27th chief.
However, Sir Reginald's younger brother passed away in 1934. This meant that Sir Reginald's oldest daughter, Flora, became the next in line for the family lands. When Sir Reginald died in 1935, Flora inherited Dunvegan Castle and the MacLeod estate. She was recognized as the clan's chief.
Dame Flora chose one of her grandsons, John Wolridge-Gordon, to be her successor. When he was chosen, John changed his surname (last name) to MacLeod of MacLeod. When his grandmother died in 1976, he inherited the castle and lands. John MacLeod of MacLeod was also recognized as the clan's chief. When he died in 2007, his second son, Hugh Magnus MacLeod of MacLeod, became the 30th chief.
Other Claims to the Chief Title
After John MacLeod of MacLeod died in 2007, a man named Guy MacLeod of Talisker from Australia said he should be the rightful chief. Guy MacLeod's family can be traced directly through male relatives back to a chief from the 1600s named Sir Rory Mor MacLeod. Experts on clan family trees agree with this connection.
Guy MacLeod has said he wants to make sure his family's "bloodline" (direct family connection) is not forgotten. The current chiefs, recognized by the Clan MacLeod Societies, are related to Dame Flora MacLeod of MacLeod. However, their direct male family line comes from Robert Wolrige-Gordon, who was Dame Flora's daughter's husband.
Guy MacLeod has asked, "How could John have been the chief of the MacLeods when he wasn't even a MacLeod?" This question highlights the different ways people think about who should be chief. While some clans usually pass the chief title only through the male line, other clans, like Clan MacLeod, sometimes allow the title to pass through a female line.
