http://macalpineclan.com/ Clan MacAlpine Society

The Clan, originating from the House of Alpin, has been recognized as an armigerous Clan in Scotland.  However, on 17 April 2015, was provided approval, by the Lord Lyon, to conduct a Derbfine or Family Convention with the view to elect a Commander as Leader of Clan MacAlpine.

The House of Alpin, also known as the Alpínid dynasty, was the kin-group which ruled in Pictland and then the kingdom of Alba from the advent of Kenneth MacAlpin (Cináed mac Ailpín) in the 840s until the death of Malcolm II (Máel Coluim mac Cináeda) in 1034.

Kings traced their descent from Kenneth MacAlpin (and not from his father, Alpín mac Echdach), and Irish genealogies in the Book of Ballymote and the Book of Lecan refer to the kindred as Clann Cináeda meic Ailpín, prioritising descent from Kenneth.

The origins of the family are uncertain. Later genealogies of doubtful reliability make Kenneth a descendant of Áed Find. While plausible, such claims are unprovable and appear only in the late tenth century. The associated idea that Kenneth had been a king in Dál Riata before contending successfully for power in Pictland in the 840s, following the death of Eóganán mac Óengusa, is supported by near-contemporary evidence.

Early kings of Clann Cináeda meic Ailpín are described as kings of the Picts, and the third king, Kenneth's son Constantine I (Causantín mac Cináeda), appears to have been regarded as the last of the seventy Pictish kings soon after his death. The descendants of Kenneth were ousted in 878 when Constantine I's brother, Áed mac Cináeda, was killed by Giric mac Dúngail, but returned in 889 when Constantine I's son Donald II (Domnall mac Causantín) ascended the throne upon the death or deposition of Giric. Donald II and his successors are described as kings of Alba.

During the tenth century, succession alternated between the descendants of Constantine I and those of Áed. Internecine strife in the late tenth and early eleventh centuries left the descendants of Constantine I unchallenged by male-line descendants of Kenneth MacAlpin, but Malcolm II left no male heirs. On Malcolm's death, the line of kings descended from Kenneth came to an end. Future kings, while still tracing their descent from Kenneth, were descended from Malcolm's daughter Bethóc.

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Gaelic name: MacAilpein (Son of Alpin)

Crest: No Official Crest Badge

No MacAlpine Chiefly Arms, of which a crest would be a part, have ever been recorded in the Public Register of All Arms and Bearings in Scotland by the Court of the Lord Lyon. Therefore, the Court has advised the Clan against the use of any crest in a strap and buckle.

A former Lord Lyon did describe the Clan's ancient crest as a boar's head. Also, a crest in common useage today is that of a bearded man's severed head dripping blood which is taken from "Fairbairn's Book of Crests." Again, because no MacAlpine Chiefly Arms have ever been recorded in the Lyon Register, either crest is considered by the Court to be "fictitious" and, accordingly, we strongly advise against the use of these crests. A Clan's Crest Badge is necessarily related to the Armorial Bearings (Coat of Arms), of which the crest is a part, of its Chief and represents the clansman's loyalty to a particular individual.

Members of the Clan are permitted to wear the Chief's crest in a "Strap and Buckle Crest Badge" as a show of loyalty to their Chief. Without a recognized Chief, there is no officially recognized Clan crest badge. The MacAlpine Society is working toward the official recognition of a Clan MacAlpine Leader. Hopefully, this will some day result in the granting of Chiefly Armorial Bearings, including a crest that will be available for wear as a crest badge by Clan members. Until that time, it is suggested that the Clan Plant Badge be worn to show your allegiance to the Clan. A sprig of pine in your cap or on your sash or shirt is a perfectly appropriate way to send the message of your ties to Clan MacAlpine!

Slogan:   Cuimhnich Bàs Ailpein (Remember the Death of Alpin)

Though not recorded in the Court of the Lord Lyon in Scotland, this war cry has been identified as being associated with the Clan by a former and most respected Lord Lyon.

Region: Lands Held (Anciently)

The area is Dunstaffnage in Argyll, near Oban. Other areas under direct MacAlpine control included the Royal Palace at Forteviot (For-tev-ee-ot); King Kenneth moved his capital here after defeating the Picts and in the face of increasing Viking raids in Argyllshire.
 
Plant badge: Giuthas (Scots Pine)

Though not recorded in the Court of the Lord Lyon in Scotland, this plant badge has been identified as being associated with the Clan by a former and most respected Lord Lyon.