Topic summary
Irish clan
Extracted from the Wikipedia article Irish clans.
Irish clans are traditional kinship groups sharing a common surname and heritage and existing in a lineage-based society, originating prior to the 17th century. A clan (or fine in Irish, plural finte) included the chief and his patrilineal relatives; However, Irish clans also included unrelated clients of the chief. These unrelated clients and their agnatic descendants were ineligible to be elected chief, but nonetheless assumed the name of the leading lineage as a show of allegiance.